Step 1: Identify the Karat
Every piece of gold jewelry sold in the United States is required to be stamped with its karat purity. Look for small markings on the inside of rings, on the clasp of necklaces and bracelets, or on the post of earrings.
Common stamps and what they mean:
| Stamp | Karat | Pure Gold % |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | 10K | 41.7% |
| 585 or 14K | 14K | 58.3% |
| 750 or 18K | 18K | 75.0% |
| 916 or 22K | 22K | 91.6% |
| 999 or 24K | 24K | 99.9% |
If you cannot find a stamp, the item may be gold-plated rather than solid gold. A professional assay with an XRF spectrometer can determine exact purity.
Step 2: Weigh Your Pieces
Use a kitchen scale, postal scale, or jewelry scale to weigh each piece in grams. Separate pieces by karat — do not mix 10K and 14K jewelry on the same weighing.
Remove any non-gold components you can: leather straps, fabric cords, large gemstones that might add weight. The buyer is paying for gold content, not the total weight of the piece.
If you do not have a scale, most online gold buyers will weigh your pieces as part of the assay process. Offramp weighs every item on a calibrated scale during the video-recorded assay.
Step 3: Calculate the Melt Value
The melt value is the theoretical value of the pure gold content in your jewelry. It is calculated using three numbers: weight in grams, karat purity percentage, and the current gold spot price per gram.
For example: a 14K gold ring weighing 5 grams contains 5 × 0.583 = 2.915 grams of pure gold. At a spot price of $95 per gram, the melt value is $277.
Use our free gold calculator to run this math instantly with live spot prices.
Step 4: Get Multiple Quotes
Never accept the first offer. Get at least three quotes from different types of buyers: a local jeweler, a pawn shop, and an online buyer. Compare what each one pays as a percentage of melt value.
Online buyers typically pay the highest percentage because they have lower overhead. Offramp pays 80%+ of melt value, which is significantly more than the 20–55% typical of pawn shops.
Step 5: Ship and Get Paid
Once you choose a buyer, the process is straightforward. With Offramp, you request a free insured FedEx shipping kit. Pack your jewelry, drop it off at any FedEx location, and track the package online.
When your gold arrives, we test every piece with an XRF spectrometer and record the entire process on video. You receive your payout — by wire transfer or Bitcoin — within 48 hours.
Pro Tips for Maximum Value
Sort by karat before weighing. Mixing karats leads to inaccurate estimates.
Do not clean or polish your gold. Buyers pay for metal content, not appearance.
Keep gemstones if they are valuable. Most gold buyers do not pay for diamonds or gems in jewelry.
Sell when gold prices are high. Use the Offramp gold price tracker to monitor trends.
Ask about Bitcoin payouts. If you believe in Bitcoin long-term, converting gold to BTC can be a powerful move.
Get Started
Sell Gold Jewelry with Offramp →
Free insured shipping and professional XRF assay.
Tool
Gold Value Calculator →
Calculate your jewelry's melt value with live spot prices.
Calculator
14K Gold Calculator →
Most US jewelry is 14K. Calculate its value instantly.
Ready to Sell Your Jewelry?
Offramp pays 80%+ of melt value for gold jewelry. Free insured shipping, XRF assay on video, payment in 48 hours.
Sell Gold Jewelry