![]() ![]() The offers you receive may vary significantly depending on where you sell it.īefore leaving your jewelry with a potential buyer, document and photograph the pieces and get an itemized receipt of what was left. Get quotes from multiple companies before you settle on a buyer. If you have antique or intricate jewelry, you may want to have it appraised before selling it to a buyer that pays by weight. When selling your gold, you will only get paid for the parts that are pure gold and jewelry is usually purchased by weight of the pure gold.ĭesigner jewelry or specific vintage items might be worth more than their non-designer counterparts. Most jewelry in the United States is 10, 14 or 18-karat gold that is comprised of gold and other alloys. Gold jewelry is rarely made from pure gold. Understanding what type of jewelry you have will help you manage your expectations. ![]() ![]() When you buy a piece of gold jewelry, the price is determined by factors including the gold karatage, craftsmanship, and weight. Most pieces of gold jewelry have some emotional value that often time exceeds the monetary value that you will receive. Before you head out, here are some simple tips for selling your unwanted gold jewelry:Ĭarefully evaluate every piece of jewelry that you are looking to sell. With one trip to your local Jewelers of America Member store, you can learn about your jewelry’s trade-in or sell value. However, unlike other items in our fast-fashion society, even broken or outdated gold jewelry doesn’t need to be tossed away. Gold jewelry can become the ultimate family heirloom. The piece needs to have at least 5% gold weight to be authentic “gold-filled.” Gold-filled jewelry has a lower-end base metal, like copper or bass, but has the thickest layer of gold, bonded with heat. Vermeil (pronounced “vermay”) is similar to gold-plated, but the base metal is a high-quality silver and true vermeil plating is at least 100 millionths of an inch thick and 10k or higher. These pieces will be the quickest to tarnish but vary in price depending on the karatage used. Gold-plated is the cheapest alternative, in which a thin layer of gold covers a low-quality base metal, normally copper or brass, through an electroplating process. These gold alternatives are distinguished by minor differences. These are great options for those wanting to save money or trendy pieces. These pieces have the look of solid gold, but their durability and value are significantly less. Gold-plated, gold-filled and vermeil jewelry are affordable alternatives to jewelry made completely with karat gold. Yellow gold consists of pure gold and metals such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc. Depending on the karat and the combination of alloys, yellow gold can have slightly varying shades some yellow gold pieces can be a vibrant yellow, which others may be a more champagne-tone. Yellow gold is popular for its recognizable yellow hue. Alloys can also create a variety of colors. The ratio of each component determines the properties of the alloy. Quality Marks on Karat Gold Jewelry KaratageĪ metal alloy is a metal made by combining two or more metals to increase the strength and/or resistance to corrosion of the base metal. Gold-plated jewelry is often indicated with a “GP” marking. They will be stamped or engraved with the karatage of the piece. When purchasing gold, especially from resellers, always look for a quality mark in the gold jewelry you buy. Recent guidelines now allow for jewelers to sell gold under 10K, however it is important to note that pieces under 10K contain very little gold and will not have the longevity or quality like pieces over 10K. In the United States, 14-karat gold is the most common jewelry alloy. Pure gold, or 24-karat, is generally too soft for use in most jewelry, so gold is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength. Gold’s popularity stems from its life-lasting durability and its variety of shades, making the metal appealing to everyone’s individual style. The Egyptians, the largest users of gold in the ancient world, equated gold with the sun and reserved its use exclusively for pharaohs. ![]() Gold has captivated mankind since the dawn of time. ![]()
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