Not All That Glitters Is $3,300 an Ounce: What You Really Need to Know About Selling Gold Jewelry
Article by Adam Zimmerman, Estate & Antique Expert
06.07.2025
You’ve heard the buzz: gold is selling for over $3,300 an ounce.
If you’re like many of our Antique Help clients — smart, thoughtful, and perhaps a little overwhelmed as you sift through decades’ worth of inherited jewelry or family heirlooms — you might be tempted to dig into your drawers, pull out that old college ring, and assume you’ve just struck gold… literally.
But here’s the truth no one tells you: most of the gold jewelry found in estates and family collections isn’t worth $3,300 an ounce. In fact, it’s often not even close.
And if you don’t understand why, you’re vulnerable — to false hopes, to poor decisions, and (worst of all) to opportunistic buyers who may not have your best interests at heart.
That’s where we come in.
Why That “Gold” Bracelet May Not Be Worth What You Think
Let’s start with a little myth-busting: that $3,300-per-ounce figure you keep seeing on the news? It applies only to pure 24-karat gold—and most jewelry doesn’t come close.
In fact, the vast majority of gold jewelry sold or inherited in the U.S. falls into one of these categories:
10K gold (marked 10K or 417) – Often found in class rings or older pieces with sentimental value. Only 41.7% actual gold.
14K gold (marked 14K or 585) – The most common gold used in U.S. jewelry. 58.5% gold content.
18K gold (marked 18K or 750) – More luxurious, often used by high-end brands like Cartier or Tiffany. 75% gold.
22K or 916 gold (marked 916) – Frequently found in Indian jewelry or pieces from abroad. 91.6% gold.
24K gold (marked 999) – Nearly pure, but rare in wearable jewelry because it’s too soft. If you have this, yes—it’s close to that $3,300 price point.
But that’s just the starting point.
Even if your piece is made of 24K gold, unless it weighs a full ounce, you’re not looking at $3,300 in value. And unless you’re selling directly to a high-end refiner or collector, you won’t receive the full market price. Buyers, after all, need room for profit and processing.
So… What Should You Do?
First: take a deep breath. You’re not alone.
Navigating the resale of family jewelry or antique gold items can be stressful. Maybe your children don’t want the pieces. Maybe you don’t even remember where they came from. Or maybe they remind you of a person or time you’re not quite ready to let go of yet.
That’s why education is power—and why this video is a must-watch before you sell a single piece.
In a recent Antique Help YouTube video, Adam walks you through real examples of different karat gold pieces—and explains exactly how to interpret markings like “585,” “750,” or “916.” You’ll learn:
• How to identify what karat gold you actually have
• What the current market value means (and doesn’t mean)
• Why selling price is often less than “gold price”
• Which types of jewelry are likely to bring in higher returns
• And how to avoid being taken advantage of by dealers offering inflated promises
But that’s just the starting point.
Even if your piece is made of 24K gold, unless it weighs a full ounce, you’re not looking at $3,300 in value. And unless you’re selling directly to a high-end refiner or collector, you won’t receive the full market price. Buyers, after all, need room for profit and processing.
Watch the full video now:
(IMPORTANT NOTE: the price of gold at the time of video was $2,300, not $3,300, per-ounce at the time the video was recorded. This post has been updated to reflect more recent market pricing. However, daily price fluctuations aside, the key learning points in the video have not changed.)
What You’ll Never Get from a Google Search
You might be tempted to hop online and type in “What’s my gold ring worth?” or “14k gold value today.”
But you won’t get the full picture. You won’t know:
If your piece has historical or brand value beyond gold content
Whether it might be worth restoring, not scrapping
How to compare local versus online offers
Or how to prepare emotionally for letting it go
That’s why we offer 1:1 consultations. Because sometimes, you just want to talk to a human being—a trusted expert—who will treat your family’s heirlooms with the dignity and clarity they deserve.
That’s why we offer 1:1 consultations. Because sometimes, you just want to talk to a human being—a trusted expert—who will treat your family’s heirlooms with the dignity and clarity they deserve.
Click here to schedule a private consultation with Adam
You deserve guidance that brings peace of mind. Whether your gold jewelry finds a new home or stays in the family, we’ll help you make the right decision — with care, clarity, and confidence.
