How to Sell Gold: The Complete Guide for 2026

The Gold Market in 2026

Gold is trading in the range of $2,600 to $2,900 per troy ounce in early 2026, maintaining the elevated levels that have defined the market since the breakout above $2,000 in late 2023. Persistent inflation concerns, central bank buying (particularly from China, India, and Turkey), and geopolitical uncertainty continue to support strong demand. For anyone holding gold they no longer want or need, this is objectively a favorable selling environment — prices are near historic highs, and the buyer market is liquid and competitive.

Gold is one of the most liquid assets on Earth. Unlike a used car or a piece of furniture, gold has a globally quoted price that updates in real time. This means that no matter where you are in the United States, there is always a ready market for your gold. The challenge is not finding a buyer — it is finding the right buyer who will pay you a fair percentage of what your gold is actually worth. That is what this guide is designed to help you do.

Whether you are looking to sell a single gold ring, clean out a jewelry box of inherited pieces, liquidate gold coins from an investment portfolio, or simply turn unused gold into cash, the principles are the same: understand what you have, know what it is worth, and choose the selling channel that maximizes your return for your specific situation.

Types of Gold You Can Sell

Not all gold is valued the same way. The type of gold you have determines which buyers are best suited for it and how your offer will be calculated. Understanding these distinctions before you start shopping for quotes will save you time and help you set realistic expectations.

Gold Jewelry

Gold jewelry is by far the most common type of gold that people sell. Its value depends on four factors: karat purity, weight, brand, and condition. A plain 14k gold chain is valued primarily at melt value — the intrinsic worth of its gold content. However, a piece from a recognized brand like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, or Bulgari may be worth significantly more than melt because the brand name carries resale value. Intact, wearable jewelry with desirable designs can also command premiums above melt value when sold through the right channel (a jewelry dealer or consignment shop rather than a scrap buyer). Most gold jewelry sold in the United States is 10k, 14k, or 18k, with 14k being the most common.

Scrap Gold

Scrap gold includes broken chains, single earrings, bent rings, damaged pieces, and any gold that will be melted down rather than resold as jewelry. Scrap gold is valued purely at melt value — the weight of pure gold contained in the item multiplied by the spot price. Condition does not matter for scrap; a broken 14k chain is worth the same per gram as an intact one when sold for its gold content. If you have a collection of odds and ends in your jewelry box, scrap value is likely the baseline for most of them. For a detailed walkthrough, see our guide to selling scrap gold.

Gold Coins

Gold coins fall into two categories: bullion coins and numismatic (collectible) coins. Bullion coins like American Gold Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and South African Krugerrands are valued primarily by their gold content plus a small premium (typically 3 to 8 percent above spot). Numismatic coins — older, rarer, or specially minted coins — can carry premiums far above their gold content, sometimes two to ten times melt value or more. If you have old gold coins, it is worth having them evaluated by a coin dealer or numismatist before selling to a gold buyer who will only pay melt value. Selling a rare coin for melt is one of the most expensive mistakes in the gold market.

Gold Bars and Bullion

Gold bars and bullion products are the closest you can get to selling gold at spot price. Bars from recognized refiners (PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint) in their original assay packaging typically sell at spot price plus a modest premium. The larger the bar, the tighter the spread — a 1-ounce gold bar might sell at 2 to 4 percent above spot, while a 1-gram bar might carry a 5 to 10 percent premium. Bars without original packaging or from unrecognized refiners will typically sell at or slightly below spot price because the buyer must verify authenticity and purity through assay testing.

Dental Gold

Dental gold is a frequently overlooked source of value. Gold crowns, bridges, inlays, and other dental work are typically made from gold alloys ranging from 10k to 22k, with 16k being a common standard for dental restorations. A single gold crown can contain 2 to 3 grams of gold, making it worth $80 to $200 or more at current spot prices. Most precious metal refiners and many pawnbrokers accept dental gold. Some buyers prefer it cleaned (removing any cement or tooth material), while others accept it as-is. If you have old dental work from extractions, do not discard it — it has real monetary value.

Gold-Plated Items

Gold-plated jewelry and accessories have a very thin layer of gold (measured in microns) over a base metal such as brass or copper. The gold content is minimal — a gold-plated necklace might contain less than a fraction of a gram of actual gold. As a result, gold-plated items have little to no scrap value. Most gold buyers will not purchase gold-plated items, and those who do will offer pennies. If an item is stamped “GP” (gold-plated), “GEP” (gold electroplated), or “HGE” (heavy gold electroplate), it is not solid gold and is not worth selling for its gold content. Gold-filled items (stamped “GF” or “1/20”) contain somewhat more gold (typically 5 percent by weight) and have modest scrap value in bulk quantities.

How Gold Value Is Calculated

Whether you are selling a gold ring or a gold bar, the starting point for any valuation is the melt value formula: Weight (grams) × Purity (karat ÷ 24) × Spot Price per gram = Melt Value. Every gold buyer in the world uses some version of this formula. Understanding it is the single most important thing you can do before selling gold.

Karat Purity Table

The karat system measures gold purity on a scale of 1 to 24, where 24 karat is pure gold (99.9%). Most gold jewelry uses alloys that blend gold with other metals for durability. The karat stamp tells you exactly what fraction of the alloy is pure gold.

Worked Example: 14k Gold Chain Weighing 20 Grams

Suppose the current spot price of gold is $85 per gram for pure 24k gold (roughly $2,643 per troy ounce). You have a 14k gold chain that weighs 20 grams. The calculation is: 20 grams × 0.583 (14k purity) × $85 = $990.95 melt value. A buyer paying 75 percent of melt value would offer you approximately $743. A buyer paying 85 percent would offer $842. Knowing this number before you walk into any shop is the single most powerful negotiating tool you have.

Use our gold value calculator to plug in your exact weight and karat for an instant melt value estimate based on the live spot price. This gives you a solid baseline to compare against any offer you receive.

Where to Sell Gold: Every Channel Compared

There is no single “best” place to sell gold. The right channel depends on what type of gold you have, how much you are selling, and how quickly you need cash. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of every major option available to sellers in the United States.

Pawnbrokers

Pawnbrokers are the fastest option for selling gold. Walk in with your gold, have it weighed and tested on the spot, receive an offer within minutes, and leave with cash the same day. Most pawnbrokers offer 50 to 70 percent of melt value for gold, with specialty luxury pawnbrokers sometimes reaching the higher end. Pawnbrokers also give you the option to pawn your gold — take a short-term loan using it as collateral — rather than selling outright, which is useful if you may want to reclaim the items later. The trade-off is a lower payout percentage compared to refiners or jewelry dealers, but the speed, convenience, and no-minimum-quantity policy make pawnbrokers an excellent choice for sellers who need cash today.

Precious Metal Refiners

Refiners process gold by melting it down and purifying it for resale on the commodities market. Because they cut out the middleman, refiners typically pay the highest percentages for scrap and plain gold — 70 to 85 percent of melt value, and occasionally higher for large lots. The downsides are that most refiners require minimum quantities (often 1 to 5 troy ounces), payment can take 1 to 2 weeks while they process your lot, and you may need to ship your gold to them. Refiners are the best option for sellers with significant quantities of scrap gold who can afford to wait for payment.

Jewelry Dealers

Independent jewelry dealers and high-end resale shops buy gold jewelry that has value beyond its melt content. A Tiffany gold bracelet, a vintage Cartier ring, or a well-crafted designer piece can fetch significantly more from a jewelry dealer than from a scrap buyer — sometimes 80 to 150 percent of melt value depending on the brand, design, condition, and current demand. If your gold jewelry carries a recognizable brand name or has an appealing design and is in good condition, explore jewelry dealers before defaulting to scrap pricing.

Cash-for-Gold Stores

Dedicated cash-for-gold stores specialize in buying gold from walk-in customers. They offer convenience and immediate payment, but their offers tend to be on the lower end — typically 40 to 65 percent of melt value. These stores have high overhead costs (retail rent, advertising, staffing) that they pass on to sellers through lower offers. While convenient, cash-for-gold stores should rarely be your first choice. If you do visit one, always get competing quotes from a pawnbroker and at least one other buyer before accepting.

Online Gold Buyers

Several reputable companies (such as APMEX, Kitco, and specialized mail-in services) accept gold by mail. You ship your gold using a provided insured envelope or kit, they assess it, and send you payment via check, wire transfer, or direct deposit. Online buyers typically offer 65 to 85 percent of melt value and can be highly competitive because they have lower overhead than brick-and-mortar stores. The main drawbacks are the time involved (5 to 14 days from mailing to payment), the inherent risk of shipping valuables, and the fact that some services pressure you to accept their offer once they have your gold. Always choose a mail-in buyer with a clear, no-obligation return policy.

Coin Dealers

If you are selling gold coins — especially numismatic or collectible coins — a specialized coin dealer is almost always the right choice. Coin dealers understand grading, rarity, and collector premiums that a general gold buyer will not recognize. They may pay two to ten times melt value for rare coins that a pawnbroker or refiner would simply weigh and melt. For common bullion coins like American Gold Eagles, coin dealers typically pay spot price plus 1 to 5 percent, which is competitive with or better than most other channels.

Private Sale

Selling gold privately (through classifieds, social media marketplaces, forums, or personal networks) can sometimes yield the highest return because you eliminate all middlemen. However, private sales come with significant challenges: finding a buyer, verifying payment, safety concerns around meeting strangers with valuables, and the lack of recourse if something goes wrong. For high-value branded jewelry or rare coins, private sales through specialized forums or collector communities can work well. For scrap gold, the effort rarely justifies the marginal improvement over a professional buyer.

Scrap Gold, Broken Gold, and Platinum

If your gold falls into a specific sub-category, we have dedicated in-depth guides that go deeper than this overview. Each guide covers the unique pricing dynamics, buyer considerations, and strategies for that particular type of precious metal.

• How to Sell Scrap Gold — Broken chains, single earrings, dental gold, and other items valued at melt. Includes karat tables, buyer comparison, and scam avoidance tips.
• Selling Broken Gold Jewelry — Why broken gold still has value, how melt value works for damaged pieces, and whether repair makes financial sense before selling.
• How to Sell Platinum Jewelry — Platinum pricing vs. gold, purity grades (950, 900, 850), current market prices, and the best buyers for platinum in 2026.

Testing Your Gold Before Selling

Before visiting any buyer, it is worth verifying what you have. Knowing your gold is genuine — and knowing its karat purity — protects you from lowball offers and ensures you are not wasting time with items that turn out to be plated or fake. There are several methods for testing gold at home, from simple visual checks to DIY acid tests. A buyer will always perform their own testing, but arriving with your own knowledge puts you in a stronger position.

Start by checking for hallmark stamps (10k, 14k, 18k, 24k, 375, 585, 750, 999) on the inside of rings, on clasps, or on tag ends. Then try a magnet test — real gold is not magnetic. For more thorough verification, you can use acid testing kits or electronic gold testers. We cover all of these methods in detail across our authentication guides:

• How to Tell If Gold Is Real — 7 tests to spot fake gold before selling, including magnet, density, and acid methods.
• How to Test Gold at Home — DIY gold tests using household items. No special equipment needed.
• Gold Purity Test: How to Check Karat — 5 methods to test gold purity, including acid test, electronic tester, and XRF analysis.
• Jewelry Hallmarks & Stamps Explained — Decode gold karat marks, silver fineness stamps, maker's marks, and plating codes.

Tips for Getting the Best Price When Selling Gold

The difference between a savvy gold seller and an uninformed one can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. These practical tips, drawn from industry experience and consumer advocacy research, will help you maximize your return.

1. Know the spot price before visiting any buyer. Check the live gold spot price on the morning you plan to sell. Our gold value calculator pulls real-time pricing and calculates your melt value instantly. Walking in with a specific number in mind — “my gold has a melt value of $950” — immediately signals to the buyer that you are informed and harder to lowball.

2. Get at least three offers. Never accept the first offer you receive. Visit a pawnbroker, a jeweler, and at least one other buyer type (refiner, online buyer, or coin dealer depending on what you are selling). Get each offer in writing if possible. Do not reveal what other buyers have offered — let each make their best independent bid. The spread between the lowest and highest offer is often 20 to 30 percent, which on a $1,000 lot could mean $200 to $300 more in your pocket.

3. Separate jewelry by karat before selling. Sort your gold into groups by karat value (10k, 14k, 18k, etc.) before visiting a buyer. Some less scrupulous buyers weigh all gold together and pay based on the lowest karat present. By sorting in advance, you ensure each group is priced correctly. This is especially important if you have a mix of 10k and 18k pieces — 18k gold is worth nearly twice as much per gram as 10k.

4. Keep branded pieces separate. Do not sell Tiffany, Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, or other designer gold jewelry as scrap. Branded pieces often have resale value that exceeds their gold content by 50 to 300 percent or more. A Tiffany 18k gold bangle might have a melt value of $800 but a resale value of $1,500 to $2,500 through the right channel. Sell branded pieces to jewelry resellers, luxury consignment shops, or through authenticated online marketplaces — never to a scrap buyer.

5. Weigh your gold at home first. A digital scale that reads to 0.1 grams costs $10 to $30 online and is an invaluable tool. Weigh each karat group separately and calculate your own melt value before visiting buyers. This protects you from buyers who use uncalibrated or rigged scales, and gives you a specific number to hold buyers accountable to. If a buyer's scale reads significantly lower than yours, ask to see their calibration certificate or leave.

6. Be wary of gold parties and high-pressure tactics. Gold-buying events held at hotels, community centers, or private homes are almost always bad deals. These traveling buyers have high overhead (travel, venue rental, advertising) and typically pay 30 to 50 percent of melt value — far below what you would get from a licensed local buyer. They rely on social pressure, urgency (“today only!”), and the excitement of the event to prevent sellers from thinking critically about the offer. Similarly, any buyer who pressures you to accept immediately (“this offer expires when you walk out the door”) is counting on you not shopping around. A legitimate buyer understands that you may want to compare offers and will hold their quote for at least 24 hours.

7. Understand tax implications. In the United States, gold sales may be subject to capital gains tax if you sell for more than your original purchase price. For inherited gold, the cost basis is typically the fair market value at the time of inheritance. Gold sales exceeding $600 in a calendar year may trigger a 1099-B reporting requirement from the buyer. Keep receipts and records of all transactions. Consult a tax professional if you are selling significant quantities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is my gold worth right now?

The value of your gold depends on three factors: weight, purity (karat), and the current spot price. The formula is Weight (grams) × Purity (karat ÷ 24) × Spot Price per gram = Melt Value. For example, a 20-gram 14k gold chain with a spot price of $85 per gram for pure gold is worth roughly $991 at melt value. Buyers typically pay 50 to 90 percent of melt value depending on the type of buyer and the form of gold you are selling. Use our gold value calculator for an instant estimate based on the live spot price.

Where is the best place to sell gold?

The best place depends on what you are selling and how quickly you need cash. Precious metal refiners pay the highest percentage of melt value (70 to 85 percent) but require larger quantities and take longer to pay. Pawnbrokers offer same-day cash at 50 to 70 percent of melt value with no minimums. Jewelry dealers may pay above melt value for branded or designer pieces. Online gold buyers offer competitive pricing with mail-in convenience. For most people, getting quotes from at least three different buyer types and comparing offers as a percentage of melt value yields the best result.

How much do pawn shops pay for gold?

Pawn shops typically pay 50 to 70 percent of the melt value of gold when buying outright, and offer loans at 25 to 60 percent of melt value if you choose to pawn rather than sell. Specialty luxury pawnbrokers and those in competitive markets tend to offer the higher end of that range. The trade-off is speed and convenience — pawnbrokers pay cash on the spot with no shipping, no waiting, and no minimum quantities. Always get at least three quotes and compare each offer as a percentage of the calculated melt value.

Should I sell gold when the price is high?

Selling when the spot price is elevated can increase your return, but timing the gold market precisely is difficult even for professional traders. Day-to-day price swings are typically 1 to 3 percent, which on a $1,000 lot amounts to $10 to $30. The difference between a good buyer and a bad buyer, however, can be 20 to 30 percent — worth $200 to $300 on the same lot. Choosing the right buyer matters far more than choosing the right day. That said, if gold is near multi-year highs and you have items you want to sell, it is a reasonable time to act. Do not wait indefinitely for a “peak” that may never come — gold can drop just as quickly as it rises.

Selling gold is one of the most straightforward ways to convert unused assets into cash. The keys to a good outcome are simple: understand what you have, calculate its melt value, get multiple quotes, and choose the selling channel that fits your situation. Whether you are selling a single ring or liquidating a collection, the principles in this guide will help you get a fair deal. Start by using our free gold value calculator to find out exactly what your gold is worth today.