How pawn shops actually weigh gold jewelry with stones attached

Question first: does the gem count as gold?

Myth: The stone adds to the gold weight. Many people think a ring with a big stone is heavier gold because the whole piece feels weighty. That leads sellers to expect a bigger offer.

Reality: **Pawn shops only pay for the metal, not the stone.** The total item weight is recorded, but that number is then adjusted to a **net gold weight**. The shop deducts the parts that are not gold before using the gold weight to make an offer. This is the main reason a flashy ring can still get a modest price.

Myth: they just weigh the whole piece and multiply

Myth: Staff step on a scale, do a quick calc, and hand you cash. That quick method is what lots of sellers fear.

Reality: **The process is usually more careful.** For lower-value pieces the shop might use a simple subtraction approach. For higher-value items, the shop inspects the piece, notes any solder, settings, clasps, or non-gold parts, and may remove detachable stones. If a stone can't be taken out, the shop estimates its volume and weight to exclude it from the gold calculation. **You rarely get paid for settings or glue, only for the gold content.**

Myth: gemstones must be removed to get a fair price

Myth: You must take gems out at a jeweller before selling to get full value. That costs money and time, many think.

Reality: **Removing stones is not always necessary.** Shops often remove loose or easily detachable stones if the cost to remove is low and the metal loss is minimal. For small, well-set stones it can be cheaper to estimate and deduct. **If a gem removal would damage the metal, the shop will usually leave it and adjust the weight instead.**

Myth: karat is guesswork when stones are present

Myth: With stones and settings, the shop can't tell what karat the gold is, so offers are low.

Reality: **Testing karat is standard practice.** Pawn shops commonly use acid tests, electronic gold testers (which read conductivity), or XRF machines (x-ray fluorescence) for higher-value items. These tests target the metal and ignore stones. **The presence of gems does not prevent accurate karat testing.** That said, heavy plating or repairs can complicate a reading and may prompt a technician to test multiple spots.

Myth: shops hide deductions in vague terms

Myth: The shop says "adjustments" and you take it, with no clear breakdown.

Reality: **You can and should ask for a breakdown.** Ethical shops will show you the gross weight, the deducted non-gold estimate, the resulting net gold weight, the tested karat, and the per-gram price used. If they won't explain, treat that as a red flag. **Request simple numbers; you have the right to understand how they arrived at the offer.**

Micro-moment: You bring in a heavy cocktail ring. The clerk weighs it and makes a low offer. You ask why and they point to a small box where they remove and weigh the stone setting separately. You see the net gold weight drop and understand the math.

Myth: location changes the weighing rules

Myth: Every pawn shop in the region uses a wildly different method so you can't compare offers.

Reality: **Basic steps are similar across decent shops.** Most will weigh, test karat, and deduct non-gold parts. Prices vary, but the weighing and testing steps follow common practice. If you're in or near Vancouver, feel free to ask shops about their testing method before you sell. **That short talk can save you surprises.**

Fast check before you pay

• Ask to see the gross weight and net gold weight used in the offer

• Request the karat result and the test method (acid, electronic, or XRF)

• Ask whether stones were removed or estimated out of the weight

• Compare the per-gram price to current scrap gold rates on your phone

• Get a written receipt that lists weight, karat, price per gram, and total

When weight and purity are settled, you can talk style and stones without guessing.

Today’s takeaway: Pawn shops pay for metal, not gems, so focus on net gold weight and clear math.