How much is 14k gold usually worth per gram at a pawn shop?

Short answer: pawn shops typically offer a percentage of 14k gold's melt value, so you'll usually see offers that amount to roughly half to around three quarters of the metal's calculated value per gram once purity and the shop's payout rate are applied.

What to do first

• Bring government photo ID (and a second piece if you have one).

• Separate pieces by karat if you already know it (10k/14k/18k), but don't guess.

• Expect offers to track verified content + local buyer demand, not retail pricing.

• Bring receipts/appraisals if you have them — helpful context, not a replacement for testing.

How the short answer works in plain terms

You can think of the per-gram figure in three steps: take the current gold spot price (usually quoted per troy ounce), convert that to grams, multiply by the purity for 14k (14/24), then apply the payout percentage the shop uses. That final number is what a shop is likely to offer per gram for scrap 14k metal, not for finished designer pieces.

How a shop calculates per-gram offers

A shop is pricing largely for melt or resale risk. They consider: the raw melt value based on spot price and purity, the cost and time to test and melt or resell, market demand for secondhand jewellery, and a margin for risk and overhead. The shop's payout percentage is the main variable — higher percentages mean closer to melt value, lower ones reflect higher handling/resale costs.

What changes the offer at the counter

Several practical factors move the per-gram offer up or down. These determine whether a shop treats the piece as scrap metal or as resale-ready jewellery.

• Hallmarks and clear purity stamps raise confidence and the offer.

• Brand names, designer marks, and intact stones can push offers above scrap value.

• Small, low-weight items often get a lower per-gram price because handling and testing costs are proportionally higher.

• Tarnish, soldering, or unknown repairs can reduce an offer because the shop must verify and often clean or repair before resale.

Checklist before you go

• Bring government ID and any original paperwork or receipts for the item.

• Clean obvious dirt gently; don't use harsh chemicals that could damage stones or marks.

• Note any hallmarks or stamps (e.g., 585 for 14k) and photograph them.

• Consider having a simple independent test (acid or electronic tester) done if you already own one.

• Compare current spot price sources on your phone so you know the baseline melt value.

• Check more than one shop to see the range of offers.

How to check the math yourself

Start from the spot price: convert ounces to grams and multiply by 14/24 for the purity adjustment. That gives the raw melt-per-gram value for 14k. Then apply a payout percentage to reflect what a shop will actually hand you — that percentage is the negotiation space. If the shop quotes a per-gram price, work backwards to see what payout percentage they're offering compared with the melt value.

Testing matters: a visible 14k stamp helps, but reputable shops will test the metal to be sure. If you have gemstones, understand that they might be valued separately or not at all; small or damaged stones usually don't add much. If the item is a known designer piece in good condition, treat the quoted per-gram number as only part of the value; resale value for branded jewellery can exceed melt value.

Negotiation and timing

Offers change with the gold spot price and with local demand. If the market has dipped recently, offers will be lower; if demand for secondhand jewellery spikes, shops may be willing to pay more. Bringing multiple pieces or higher total weight can sometimes improve the per-gram rate because the shop's fixed costs are spread over more metal. Be polite, show your documentation, and ask the shop to show how they calculated the offer if you want to negotiate.

Key takeaway

• shops base 14k offers on melt value adjusted for purity and a payout percentage.

• Expect offers to be a portion of melt value rather than the full market spot price.

• Condition, hallmarks, brand, and total weight all change the per-gram figure.

• Do the math yourself from spot price, verify purity, and compare multiple offers.

• Having ID and paperwork, and knowing current spot, improves your negotiating position.