Letter 29064

How much per gram for 14 K gold jewelery  

(2004)

Looking to trade some gold necklaces, bracelets, etc. I was told salvage value of 14k gold is a high of $9.00 per gram. True? We have a goldsmith in our town who does nice work. However, I have no idea what the value of my stuff is. I am willing to trust but would like a second opinion if possible.

Evelyn Jarland
private person- Oakdale, CA, USA

I have no experience in that field, but I can offer a 'reasonableness check'. Today's gold price is about $390 per troy ounce, and a troy ounce is 31.1 grams. So a gram of 24K gold is worth $12.54. But 14K gold is only 14/24 pure, so a gram of it should be worth $7.32 if there was no deduction for the impurity or labor or handling, etc. As an amateur then, I'd be very happy to get $7.32 per gram for 14k gold.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey