You have gold jewelry you want to convert to cash. A refiner offered you melt value based on weight and karat. A dealer offered slightly more — but only if the piece is intact. You don't know if the piece has value beyond its gold content.
Calculate the melt value from weight and karat. Take the highest offer per gram.
"Is there anything about this piece worth more than its weight in gold?"
Before melting: photograph the piece from all angles, document all marks, note any stones or unusual features. Have a jeweler or knowledgeable dealer examine it for maker identification.
Before melting: have someone knowledgeable check the piece for maker marks, designer signatures, antique character, or collectible features. These can multiply value far beyond melt. If the piece is common, damaged, or unsigned, melt value may be the best you can get.
Multiply the piece's weight in grams by the gold purity percentage (14k = 58.5%, 18k = 75%, 24k = 99.9%) to get the pure gold weight. Multiply that by the current gold spot price per gram. Most buyers pay 70-95% of this calculated melt value.
All karats have melt value — even 10k. But lower karat gold (10k, 9k) yields less pure gold per gram, so refining costs eat into returns more. Higher karat pieces (18k, 22k) deliver more value for their weight. The karat doesn't determine whether to melt — the piece's characteristics do.
No. Refiners and gold buyers pay a percentage of melt value — typically 70-95% — because they have refining costs, overhead, and need a profit margin. The percentage varies by buyer, volume, and current gold market conditions. Shop around for the best rate.
