Everyone knows the feeling: you check the gold price and think, “Wow, gold is so high! I can sell my jewelry for a nice sum.” But when you go to a store or jeweler, the price you get is often much lower. Why is that? Let’s break it down step by step.
1. The price you see is for 24-carat pure gold
The gold price reported daily in the media, on news websites, or financial apps is always for 24-carat gold. That means pure gold, without any alloys.
- 24 kt = 100% pure gold
- 18 kt = 75% pure gold
- 14 kt = 58.5% pure gold
- 9 kt = 37.5% pure gold
So if your jewelry is not 24 kt, it simply contains less gold and is worth less per gram.
2. Alloys and quality reduce value
Gold is often mixed with other metals to make it harder and more durable. For example:
- 18 kt gold jewelry contains 75% gold and 25% other metals
- 14 kt contains 58.5% gold
- 9 kt contains only 37.5% gold
These additions make your piece beautiful and durable but reduce the value of the “real gold” inside.
3. Costs and margins
When you buy or sell gold through a jeweler:
- The price you receive is gold content × current gold price, minus costs for processing, wear, and dealer margins.
- A new piece costs more because labor and design are included.
- A second-hand or traded-in piece is usually weighed and analyzed, then offered a price lower than the pure gold value.
4. Always have your gold tested
Important tip: always have your gold tested in your presence. The test should not visibly alter the jewelry or the testing solution. This ensures the karat is correctly determined and your gold is not damaged.
5. Practical example
Suppose the gold price is €60 per gram for 24 kt gold:
- An 18 kt 10-gram ring contains 7.5 g pure gold → 7.5 × €60 = €450
- A 14 kt 10-gram ring contains 5.85 g pure gold → 5.85 × €60 = €351
- A 9 kt 10-gram ring contains 3.75 g pure gold → 3.75 × €60 = €225
You can see that the price directly depends on the karat.
✅ Conclusion
The gold price you see online is always for 24 kt pure gold, while most jewelry has a lower karat. Have your gold tested by a trusted jeweler in your presence to ensure you get the correct value without damaging your piece.
