How gold jewelry is priced when you sell

When you bring gold jewelry to a buyer or pawn counter, the offer you get comes from a few straightforward checks. In Vancouver, offers usually move most on condition, completeness, and how easy it is to test. Knowing what they look for helps you avoid surprises and get a cleaner, fairer conversation at the counter.

Quick checklist

• Bring the item clean and as complete as possible (box/receipts help but aren't required)

• Know the karat mark or have a rough sense of purity

• Expect weight and purity tests; expect offers based on melt value

• Ask how the shop calculates the offer (percent of spot, fees, or labor)

• Be prepared to walk away if the offer seems unclear or unusually low

Fast answer

Most buyers set a price by converting the piece to its metal value (melt) and then applying a margin. That means they weigh the piece, estimate the gold content from the karat, look at the current gold price, and then subtract a percentage to cover testing uncertainty, refining, and resale overhead. If you're selling to a retail jeweler rather than a refiner, the shop may also factor in the condition and whether the item can be resold whole.

How shops evaluate gold

The routine has three steps: identify, test, and weigh. Identification starts with visible stamps (like 10K, 14K, 18K). Testing can be a quick acid test, electronic tester, or XRF scan in some places; each method gives a sense of purity but varies in precision. Finally, the item is weighed and multiplied by the purity to reach a gold weight that's compared to the market price. Keep in mind the offered rate will be below the live market price to allow the buyer to cover costs and make a margin.

Three common mistakes people make

People often accept the first number without asking how it was calculated. You should ask whether the offer is a percentage of spot or a flat rate per gram. Another mistake is assuming a missing hallmark means no gold; many older pieces are unstamped but still valuable. Finally, sellers sometimes bring dirty or obviously altered items and then wonder why the offer is lower; condition, repairs, and solder can all affect the calculation.

You might walk into the shop with a ring you wore for years and find the box and receipt were left at home. The shop asks whether it was resized or repaired; you remember it worked fine yesterday and can't recall the details. That small, human pause can shift the tone of the exchange and make you ask more questions about testing and the offer.

What changes the offer

Several factors move an offer up or down. Purity is the biggest (higher karat means more pure gold by weight). Weight matters obviously, but small, intricate pieces can lose value because extracting the metal is harder. Condition and attached stones affect resale value: if stones are valuable and stay set, the buyer might value the piece as jewelry rather than melt; if stones are low value or missing, the offer drops toward scrap. Market volatility also matters; shops may pay a lower share of the spot price when the market is moving fast to protect against sudden drops.

Beyond physical factors, practical things matter too. A clear chain of ownership or a recent appraisal can speed the sale and sometimes improve the tone of negotiations. If the shop anticipates quick resale, they may be willing to offer a slightly higher share. Conversely, if an item needs hours of repair or polishing before resale, that labor reduces the offer.

What you can say at the counter

Start by asking how they test purity and whether their offer is based on melt value or resale value. Say something like "Can you show me how you arrived at that number?" or "Is this offer a percentage of spot gold or a flat rate per gram?" These are calm, factual prompts that shift the conversation from opinion to method. If the shop uses an XRF or scale, ask whether you can see the weight or test readout. You don't need to apologize for negotiating: asking for a clearer breakdown is normal and expected.

Key takeaway

• The price usually starts with purity (karat) and weight, then a margin is applied

• Ask how the offer was calculated and don't accept the first number without basics

• Small details (condition, stones, missing box) reliably change the offer

• Be ready to walk away if the method isn't transparent

• A quick, calm request for a breakdown puts you in control