How to Sell 14K Gold Jewelry for the Best Price
Today’s live 14K gold price per gram is $72.83. That melt value is your starting point before any buyer makes an offer.
Most people who get a bad deal when selling gold make the same mistake: they walk in without knowing what their gold is worth. A buyer can offer you $80 for a piece worth $180 in melt value, and you’d have no way to know. This guide fixes that.
Know Your Melt Value Before You Go Anywhere
Melt value is the raw dollar value of the gold content in your jewelry, and it’s your floor price. No legitimate buyer should pay less than 65% of this number.
To find it, use our free gold melt value calculator. Weigh your piece in grams, select 14K, and you get the current dollar value. Write it down; that number goes with you to every buyer. For the full explanation of what melt value actually is, see what is gold melt value.
Understand What Buyers Actually Pay
Different buyers offer very different percentages of melt value. Here’s what to realistically expect.
What You Can Expect Per Gram Today
| Buyer type | Typical share of melt value | 14K per gram | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawn shops | 40% to 65% | $29.13 to $47.34 | Fast cash, lowest payout |
| Jewelry stores buying scrap | 55% to 75% | $40.06 to $54.62 | Varies widely by store |
| Local gold buyers | 70% to 85% | $50.98 to $61.91 | Competition keeps rates higher |
| Mail-in refiners | 85% to 93% | $61.91 to $67.73 | Highest rates, 5 to 10 business days |
Pawn shops: 40 to 65 percent of melt value. Convenient but consistently the lowest payout. Use only if you need cash immediately. For the full breakdown of pawn shop pricing specifically, see 14K gold price at pawn shops.
Local jewelers buying scrap: 55 to 75 percent of melt value. Better than pawn shops but varies widely.
Dedicated gold buying shops: 70 to 85 percent of melt value. Competition keeps rates higher. Look for shops with public price boards.
Online mail-in refiners: 85 to 93 percent of melt value, the best rates typically available to private sellers. Allow 5 to 10 business days for turnaround. [VERIFY: confirm current stated buy rates directly with any specific company before naming it, since terms change and vary by refiner.]
Get at Least Three Quotes
Never accept the first offer you receive. Visit or contact at least three buyers. Tell each one you’re comparing quotes; professional buyers expect this, and it often improves their offer on the spot.
Even a 5-minute phone call to two other buyers before selling in person can add 10 to 15 percent to what you walk away with. On a $500 piece, that’s $50 to $75 for five minutes of effort.
Watch the Scale
Always watch the buyer weigh your gold in front of you, and ask to see the reading. A few things to watch for: make sure the scale is zeroed before your pieces go on it, confirm they’re weighing in grams rather than pennyweight (one pennyweight equals 1.555 grams, and if a buyer uses dwt without telling you, the number looks bigger and their offer sounds better than it is), and if you pre-weighed at home, the buyer’s scale should match within a tenth of a gram.
Know the Difference Between Scrap and Retail Resale
If your 14K gold piece is in good condition and has a recognizable designer name or setting with diamonds, don’t sell it as scrap. Take it to an estate jeweler or list it on eBay first. A piece with a retail resale value of $400 might only have a melt value of $150; selling it as scrap would cost you $250.
Designer pieces, branded jewelry (Tiffany, Cartier, David Yurman), and pieces with significant gemstones should always be appraised before selling.
When Is the Best Time to Sell?
Gold prices have been at historic highs through 2026. The 14K gold price per gram today is roughly 40 percent higher than a year ago. If you’ve been sitting on unused jewelry, this is a historically strong window to sell. Check the current 14K gold price per gram and see the full price history and chart before deciding.
How Much Does 14K Gold Sell For Per Gram?
14K gold sells for 40% to 93% of its melt value depending on the buyer. At today’s price that is the range below for each gram you sell:
| Buyer type | Typical share of melt value | 14K per gram | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawn shops | 40% to 65% | $29.13 to $47.34 | Fast cash, lowest payout |
| Jewelry stores buying scrap | 55% to 75% | $40.06 to $54.62 | Varies widely by store |
| Local gold buyers | 70% to 85% | $50.98 to $61.91 | Competition keeps rates higher |
| Mail-in refiners | 85% to 93% | $61.91 to $67.73 | Highest rates, 5 to 10 business days |
A fair offer from a local gold buyer is usually 70% to 85% of melt. Anything under 60% means you should get another quote.
Red Flags When Selling Gold
- The buyer will not weigh the gold in front of you, or uses a scale without a visible certificate
- Pieces are weighed together across different karats and paid at the lowest karat
- The offer is given only as a flat total, with no price per gram
- Mail-in kits that pay by check and set a short deadline to accept
- Pressure to sell on the spot, or offers that rise sharply once you start to leave
Related guides: 14K gold value by weight, what is 14K gold, gold value calculator, pawn shop prices, best time to sell gold, gold stamps and hallmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get paid when selling gold online?
Most mail-in refiners pay within 5 to 10 business days of receiving and testing your piece. In-person buyers, pawn shops, dedicated gold buyers, and local jewelers typically pay on the spot, which is the main tradeoff against their usually lower payout percentage.
Do I need to clean my jewelry before selling it as scrap?
No. Buyers price on weight and karat, not appearance. A quick clean won’t change your offer, and it’s not worth the effort for a piece you’re selling purely for its gold content.
What if I don’t know the karat of my gold?
Check for a hallmark stamp first, usually on the inside of a ring band, a chain’s clasp, or an earring post. If there’s no stamp or you’re not sure what it means, see the full hallmark guide, or ask any buyer to run a quick acid or XRF test before you commit to selling.
Should I sell my gold as jewelry or as scrap?
If the piece has real design, brand, or collector value, an intact designer piece, a vintage item, anything with meaningful stones, sell it as jewelry through a retail or collector channel. If it’s a broken chain, an outdated design, or something with no resale appeal beyond its metal content, scrap pricing is the simpler, faster path.
How much does 14K gold sell for per gram?
Between $29.13 (pawn shops) and $67.73 (mail-in refiners) per gram today, against a melt value of $72.83.
Where can I sell 14K gold for the most money?
Mail-in refiners and competitive local gold buyers usually pay the most, at 70% to 93% of melt value. Pawn shops and jewelry stores pay the least.
