Canberra Gold Guide
How Much Is My Gold Worth?9ct, 10ct, 14ct, 18ct, 22ct and 24ct Explained
You’ve got gold you don’t wear any more, and you want to know how much it’s worth before you decide anything. Smart move. It comes down to a few simple things, and once you know them, nobody can rush you or talk you down.
Why Jewellery Sells Below the Price on the News
The gold price on the news is for bullion: pure gold, ready to trade. Second-hand jewellery has to be refined back into bullion first.
Refining is a gruelling process over several days, with harsh chemicals and real health risks. It costs time and money, so a fair offer for jewellery sits below the bullion price. What matters is that you can see exactly how your offer is worked out.
Four Things Set the Price of Your Gold
Weight
Gold is priced by the gram. Every piece is weighed on a scale you can see.
Purity
The karat shows how much of the piece is pure gold. More pure gold means more value.
The Day’s Gold Price
Your offer uses that day’s gold price, so it moves with the market.
Refining
Most pieces are refined back into pure gold, which takes time and costs money.
Gold Karats Explained
Most gold jewellery carries a small stamp that shows its karat. Here’s what each stamp means.
| Karat | Stamp | Pure Gold |
|---|---|---|
| 9ct | 375 | 37.5% |
| 10ct | 417 | 41.7% |
| 14ct | 585 | 58.5% |
| 18ct | 750 | 75% |
| 22ct | 916 | 91.6% |
| 24ct | 999 | 99.9% |
18ct gold holds twice as much pure gold as 9ct, so the same weight is worth about twice as much.
You’ll See Exactly How Your Offer Is Worked Out
Every piece is tested and weighed in front of you. The weight, the karat and the day’s gold price go into a spreadsheet, so everything is in front of you.
You can take the spreadsheet home with you. If you want to decide later, you’re welcome to come back. We just change the day’s gold price, and the whole list updates.
When a Piece Is Worth More Than Its Gold
Some pieces are good enough to wear again. A ring in good condition, a chain with no damage, or a designer piece can be worth more than its gold.
Getting a piece ready for its next owner is real work. It’s cleaned up, photographed, a listing is written and it’s marketed. The lowball offers are turned down, and then it’s sold again. So the extra isn’t always big. It’s a kinder ending for your piece though. It gets to live again for someone else.
Diamonds and gemstones are checked one by one. If a stone is worth extra, you’re paid for it. If you’d like to keep it, you can.
Find Out What Your Gold Is Worth in Three Steps
- 1Book a Free QuoteCall or send the form. It’s free, private and there’s no obligation.
- 2Watch It TestedEvery piece is tested and weighed in front of you, and the numbers go into a spreadsheet you can take home.
- 3You DecideLike the price? You’re paid on the spot. Want to think it over? Come back any time at that day’s gold price.
Your Canberra Gold Buyer
A Jeweller Who Looks Closer
You deserve to know exactly what you’re selling. At Vivid Jewels, a jeweller and gemstone expert checks every stamp, every stone and every maker’s mark, so nothing of value slips through. Every piece is tested and weighed in front of you, and you see how the offer is worked out.
We pay extra for the gems most gold buyers ignore.
Vivid Jewels also sources rare gemstones and makes custom jewellery. See how it works.
Keep Reading
What Happens After You Sell
Resold or refined: where your gold goes next, and why it never disappears.
Read the guide
Start at the Canberra Gold Guide for everything about selling gold.
Ready When You Are
Find Out What Your Gold Is Worth
Book a free, no-obligation quote in Canberra. Sit down, take your time, and see exactly how your offer is worked out. If you like the price, you’re paid on the spot.
See how it all works on the sell gold in Canberra page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my gold worth?
It depends on three things: the weight, the karat and the day’s gold price. Refining costs come off, because jewellery has to be turned back into pure gold. Every piece is tested and weighed in front of you, so you see every number.
How much is 9ct gold worth?
9ct gold is 37.5% pure gold. Its value comes from its weight and that day’s gold price, less the cost of refining.
Is 18ct gold worth more than 9ct?
Yes. 18ct gold is 75% pure gold, twice as much as 9ct, so the same weight is worth about twice as much.
What is 10ct gold?
10ct gold is 41.7% pure gold. It’s usually stamped 417.
Is 24ct gold pure gold?
Almost. 24ct gold is 99.9% pure gold and is usually stamped 999.
Why is my gold worth less than the price on the news?
The news shows the price of pure bullion. Jewellery has to be refined back into bullion first, a gruelling process over several days with harsh chemicals and real health risks. That cost comes off the price.
Is the quote free?
Yes. It’s a free quote with no obligation. Sit down, take your time, and if you like the price, you’re paid on the spot. If not, you’re free to walk away. We love jewellery and we’re always happy to help.
How is my offer worked out?
Fully transparently. Every piece is tested and weighed in front of you, and the weight, karat and day’s gold price go into a spreadsheet with everything in front of you. You can even take it away, and if you want to decide later, you’re welcome to come back.
If I don’t sell now, do I get the same price when I come back?
The price is set by the gold price on the day you sell. When you come back, we just change the day’s gold price and the whole list updates.
Is a designer piece worth more?
A designer piece can be worth more than its gold. Every piece is checked for a maker’s mark.
Do you pay for Diamonds and gemstones?
Yes. Every stone is checked by a gemstone expert. If a stone is worth extra, you’re paid for it. If you’d like to keep it, you’re welcome to, and we can sometimes remove it on the spot.
Do you buy 22ct and 24ct gold?
Yes. 22ct and 24ct gold are welcome, including jewellery from overseas.
Got gold sitting in a drawer? Here’s how to sell gold in Canberra, or start with the Canberra Gold Guide.
