How much is 14K gold worth? It is one of the most common questions we hear at Paul Albanian and Associates LLC, and the answer is more straightforward than most people expect. If you have a drawer full of tangled chains, a single earring, a broken bracelet or a parent’s old class ring, you are probably holding more value than you realize. For more than 30 years, we have helped Burbank and San Fernando Valley families figure out what their gold is really worth. This guide walks you through the same math we use.
Gold Is Still Valuable Today
On October 5, 2026, Kitco’s live gold chart showed gold at $4,128 per troy ounce, which works out to roughly $132.72 per gram of pure gold. Prices are down from the record high gold reached in January, but they remain historically strong, and they change throughout the day. That is why an old gold chain that sat in a jewelry box for years can bring a meaningful amount of money today.
What Karat Means for the Value of Your Gold
Karat measures how much of a piece is pure gold, counted out of 24 parts. The rest of the piece is made up of other metals such as copper, silver or zinc, which add strength and color. Here is what each common karat contains:
- 24K: 99.9 percent pure gold, usually bullion or traditional jewelry
- 18K: 75 percent gold, common in fine jewelry (stamped 750)
- 14K: about 58 percent gold, the most common karat in American jewelry (stamped 585 or 14K)
- 10K: about 42 percent gold, often found in class rings and budget pieces (stamped 417 or 10K)
Two chains can weigh exactly the same and be worth very different amounts, because a gram of 18K gold contains more actual gold than a gram of 10K.
The Simple Formula for Scrap Gold Value
The value of gold jewelry as scrap comes down to weight, purity and the spot price. At the Kitco price above, the pure gold value of each karat per gram is approximately:
- 24K: about $133 per gram
- 18K: about $100 per gram
- 14K: about $77 per gram
- 10K: about $55 per gram
As an example, a 12-gram 14K gold chain contains about seven grams of pure gold, which comes to roughly $929 in melt value at today’s price. Keep in mind that this is the value of the metal in the piece, not a quote. Gold must be refined before it can be resold, and that process has a cost, so any dealer’s offer will be somewhat below the full melt value. A trustworthy dealer will show you how the number was calculated.
How to Find the Karat of Your Jewelry
Look for a small stamp on the clasp, inside the band or on the back of a pendant. You may see 10K, 14K, 18K, or the numbers 417, 585 or 750. A few points can help:
- No stamp does not mean no gold. Stamps wear off, and some older or handmade pieces were never marked.
- Watch for plated and filled pieces. Marks such as GF (gold filled) or GP (gold plated) mean a thin layer of gold over another metal, and they are worth much less.
- Do not test it yourself. Scratching or applying acid at home can damage a piece. A dealer can test it in seconds.
Watch This Short Guide to Gold Purities
This video explains the difference between 10K, 14K, 18K and 24K gold and how purity affects value.
Jewelry You May Not Think to Sell
Many people only think about intact, wearable pieces. In practice, broken and unwanted jewelry holds just as much gold. Here are items worth gathering before an estate sale or a spring cleaning:
- Broken or tangled chains and bracelets
- Single earrings and mismatched sets
- Class rings, wedding bands and charms
- Gold dental work and old pocket watch cases
- Pieces with missing or damaged stones, which can be evaluated separately
If gemstones are involved, a diamond or colored stone may be worth more than the gold around it. Ask a dealer to look at both parts, rather than selling by weight alone.
Why a Precious Metal Dealer Beats a Pawn Shop
A search for pawn shop near me is a natural starting point when you need cash. But pawn shops are built around short-term loans and general merchandise, and gold is only a small part of what they handle. A dedicated gold dealer in Burbank spends the whole day evaluating metals, stones and coins. That experience shows in how clearly an offer is explained and how carefully each piece is weighed and tested.
Paul Albanian and Associates LLC has served the San Fernando Valley from Burbank for more than three decades. Owner Paul Albanian and the team evaluate gold, silver, platinum, coins and fine jewelry every day, and you are always free to walk away if you do not like the offer.
Tips for a Fair Offer
- Gather all your gold first, so everything can be evaluated in one visit.
- Note any stamps you can see, and do not clean or repair the pieces.
- Check the current spot price so you know where the market stands.
- Ask how the offer was calculated, including weight and karat.
- Bring a valid photo ID, which licensed dealers generally require.
Find Out What Your Gold Is Worth
If you are wondering how much your 14K gold is worth, or you are sorting through a family estate, Paul Albanian and Associates LLC is happy to take a look. Call 818-200-8816 to ask about selling gold, silver, platinum, coins or fine jewelry in Burbank. Gold prices change every day, so the best time to find out what your jewelry is worth is now.