Before you open your wallet for Black Friday, check your jewelry box. If you have a tangle of broken chains, single earrings missing their partners, or dated rings you’ll never wear, you can sell them for some holiday shopping cash. The value lies in real metal, since gold and silver prices are more than double what they were five years ago.
To be clear, precious metal prices have been higher. As of Nov. 9, 2026, the gold spot price is $4,139 per troy ounce and silver is $53.68. In January, gold topped $5,000 and silver passed $100. So, you could be leaving money on the table by selling now — but if selling spares you from adding credit card debt this holiday season, it’s worth considering.
- Broken gold chains, single earrings, and outdated jewelry can generate holiday shopping cash because their precious metal content retains value.
- Estimate melt value by multiplying the metal’s weight in grams by its purity and the current spot price per gram. Buyers may offer 70% to 85% of that value.
- Protect yourself from lowball offers by researching dealers, getting multiple quotes, and checking for fees, shipping insurance, and potential collector value.
First, check the purity
The math around selling jewelry can be tricky, because value hinges on the metal’s purity. Start by looking for those tiny stamps on the clasps or insides of ring bands.
| Symbol | Metal | Purity |
| 925 (sterling) | Silver | 92.5% |
| 10K | Gold | 41.7% |
| 417 | Gold | 41.7% |
| 14K | Gold | 58.3% |
| 585 | Gold | 58.5% |
| 18K | Gold | 75% |
| 750 | Gold | 75% |
| 24K | Gold | 99.9% |
| 999 | Gold | 99.9% |
Note that stamps reference the jewelry’s claimed purity, and a reputable buyer will test it to confirm. If you have a magnet handy, you can do a quick, informal test yourself: Pure gold and silver do not stick to magnets.
Pieces that are marked as gold-filled and gold-plated have low melt value. Depending on their styles and condition, you may be able to sell them on Poshmark or Vinted. Gold vermeil is sterling silver coated with gold, which does have melt value. Most of the weight is silver, so estimate its value on that basis.
Read next: Silver linings: Should you cash in your silver jewelry?
Next, estimate value
Here’s the formula to estimate the value of your precious metal jewelry using a kitchen scale. You will get the most accurate weight by removing any stones first, but that can be tricky to do on your own. If the piece has precious stones that you’ll want to keep, have a jeweler remove them.
- Weigh the piece in grams.
- Find the current spot price. The values of gold and silver change often. See apmex.com or a similar website for the current prices.
- Convert the spot price to grams. Divide it by 31.1035. For example, a gold spot price of $4,139 equates to $133.07 (rounded) per gram.
- Multiply the per-gram price by the weight of the piece and the purity. If you have a 5-gram 18-karat gold ring, the math is: $133.07 x 5 x 75% = about $499. This is the melt value.
- Multiply the melt value by 70% to 85%. Buyers pay only a percentage of the full melt value. In our example, the realistic sell price for that ring is about $350 to $424.
Gold and silver jewelry value estimator
Knowing how the math works protects you from getting scammed, but having the calculations done for you automatically keeps things simple. Try our calculator below by using the current spot price, selecting the purity level, and inputting the weight of your piece.
Gold & Silver Value Calculator
Estimate what your jewelry could realistically sell for.
Estimates only. Actual offers vary by buyer, and prices change daily. Pieces with collector, designer, or antique value may be worth more than melt.
Pro tip: You can use this calculator in the same way for non-jewelry metals, like sterling silver flatware. Forks and spoons tend to be the most valuable, since knives may use another metal for the blade.
You’ll find that heavy, 18-karat gold pieces can be quite valuable, while smaller silver pieces might be worth only a few dollars. Your lighter, less pure pieces may be worth more as resale items, assuming they are in good condition.
Sample jewelry values
The table below shows typical sale values for gold and silver jewelry, based on estimated weights and the spot prices as of Nov. 9.
| Piece | Estimated Weight | Approximate Melt Value | Sell Range |
| 14-karat gold chain | 5 grams | $388 | $272-$330 |
| 10-karat gold earrings | 3 grams | $166 | $117-$142 |
| Sterling chain | 15 grams | $24 | $17-$20 |
| Sterling cuff bracelet | 30 grams | $48 | $34-$41 |
How to sell jewelry without getting shortchanged
Knowing the approximate value of your items is your best protection against lowball offers. Other strategies that can help are:
- Remove precious stones. Have a jeweler remove your sapphires, diamonds, and emeralds, since a metals dealer won’t pay for them.
- Read dealer reviews. Only positive reviews or no reviews are both red flags.
- Read the dealer’s policies. Reputable dealers will explain how they value your items.
- Know the lingo. Spot prices are quoted per troy ounce, which is not the same as a regular ounce on your kitchen scale. You can convert regular ounces to troy ounces by multiplying the weight by 175 and dividing by 192. Also, some dealers may quote in pennyweight. To convert grams to pennyweight, divide by 1.56. This multiplier is rounded so you may see rounding errors.
- Check for customer support. The dealer should have contact information and reachable customer support.
- Verify mail-in services provide free, insured shipping and returns. Your pieces must be insured while in transit, and some dealers foot the bill for that.
- Get multiple quotes. The rules of comparison shopping apply.
- Check for collector value. Brand name pieces may have more value as collectors’ items.
- Ask the right questions. Ask the dealer to document the spot price and percentage being used, then use the numbers to compare the offer against your own math. Also ask if there are any fees deducted from your offer and, if you decide to decline, whether you can get your pieces back for free.
Read next: The hidden gotchas of selling gold jewelry
The Budget Fashionista takeaways
Your jewelry box could be the easiest source of holiday shopping cash. Maximize the value by weighing your pieces and researching dealers in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t a dealer pay the full spot price?
Spot is a wholesale benchmark for large, refined bars. Dealers have to cover refining costs and make a profit, so they pay a percentage of your jewelry’s melt value.
Do I need to clean my jewelry before I sell it?
No. Tarnish doesn’t change a piece’s weight or purity, and dealers price by metal content. If you think a piece might be antique or collectible, leave it as is until an expert has looked at it, since cleaning can lower its value.
Can I sell broken jewelry or a single earring?
Yes. Metal value depends on weight and purity, so a snapped chain is worth the same per gram as an intact one.
What if the stamp is worn off or missing?
A missing stamp doesn’t mean a piece is fake. A dealer can test the metal to confirm its purity.
Will I need ID to sell?
Be ready to show a government-issued ID. Many dealers are required to record seller information under local laws.