Jewelry Information

We think a well educated public is key to obtaining the largest dollar payout in scrap and broken jewelry. You should understand the differences in gold karat fineness and how that relates to how we pay you for your items. This page will give you an understanding of what the various marks on your jewelry mean, and how that relates to selling that item to us. If you need help, we'll spend the extra time and explain what you have so you feel good about your transaction with us.

It is extremely important to know some of the facts about gold jewelry.

A Karat (k or kt) is the amount of pure gold present in the Arabic word Qirat, or the Greek word Keratin, all of which mean the fruit of the Carob tree.

The seeds of the Carob fruit were used in ancient times for weighing gems. Pure gold weighed 24 "karats".

If an item is 24 karat, that means the item is 24 parts out of 24 parts, 100% pure. When it is 18 karat it is 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts some other metal used for strength, 75% pure. To calculate purity simply divide the stated karat weight by 24; i.e. 12 karat equals 12/24, equal to 50% pure

In some countries, the purity of gold is indicated by a number representing how many parts are pure out of a possible 1,000. For example, the number "750" means 750 parts out of 1,000 are pure gold; 75%.

For jewelry to be called "gold" legally, minimum standards have been established in many countries. The laws vary among the different countries. In the United States, to be called "gold" the content must be 10 parts or 10k; in England and Canada it is 9k; and in Italy and France it is 18k. In the U.S. the law allows a tolerance of 1/2 part, in other words, if a piece is marked 14k the allowable minimum purity is 13.5k.

If a piece is marked 14kp the "p" indicated 14k"plumb", meaning it is exactly 14k, not a fraction less. Underkarating means that jewelry is marked to indicate a certain gold content, but the jewelry actually contains less gold than is indicated. For example, the jewelry may be marked 18k but actually contain 8k. To be aware of what the actual karat is, an acid test can be done which will give a general idea of what the karat is. Selling underkarated gold is a violation of the law.

COLORS OF GOLD

Pure gold is always yellow, but pure gold is usually too soft for jewelry. Pure gold doesn't discolor the skin or tarnish, but there can be chemical reactions from any of the alloys used with gold. The higher the gold content the less possibility of chemical reaction occurring.

White gold contains gold, nickel, zinc, silver, platinum, and/or palladium. White gold differs in price depending on what is mixed with the yellow gold. White gold alloyed with palladium is more expensive than yellow or white gold containing any other alloys except platinum. White gold alloyed with platinum is more expensive than other white gold alloys.

Green gold contains gold, with a high proportion of silver or cadmium.

Pink gold contains gold, copper and sometimes silver. Usually the mix is 90% copper and 10% silver as the full alloy proportion.

There is also 14k gold jewelry plated with 18k gold which gives a stronger yellow color.

In addition the various colors of gold also have different mixes of other metals.

Yellow Gold
50% silver and 50% copper

Blue Gold
Some iron

Gray Gold
15-20% iron

The price of a piece of jewelry is based upon weight, cost of labor and workmanship, type of construction, means of construction (was it hand made or machine made?), and how it is finished. Construction, is it simple or complex? Is it a design that requires a lot of labor or a little? Does it require a special skill, talent, or equipment?

Here is how to figure what gold (jewelry) is worth. This is only a guideline to help you understand how gold is calculated and not necessarily what you would receive if sold. Dealer premiums also come into play with the example below.

Spot price = (Example) $700 per ounce

There are 31.3 grams in a troy ounce, therefore $700 divided by 31.3 = $22.36 per gram for spot price per gram of pure gold. This is the price for RAW unworked gold with no gemstones and no labor.

If you are wondering about an 18KT piece in this same equation, you have to calculate for the reduction in actual gold from pure gold (.999) to the 18KT gold (.750). Simply take the $22.36 and multiply it by .750 which equals $16.77 per gram. For 14KT gold, same way, only different multiplier. $22.36 and multiply by .585 which equals $13.08 per gram for 14KT gold in it's raw form.

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