Most people have at least a few pieces of gold tucked away: a broken chain, a single earring, a ring that no longer fits, or jewelry that belonged to a relative. When you flip one over, you’ll usually find a tiny stamp like “14K” or “585.” That stamp is the first clue to what the piece is worth.

Karat is one of the biggest factors in gold value, but it isn’t the only one. This guide explains what karat means, how 10K, 14K, and 18K gold compare, and how weight and market price fit in, so you know what to expect before you sell or pawn gold in St. Augustine.

The Short Answer: What Does Karat Mean in Gold?

Karat (abbreviated K or kt) measures how much of a piece of jewelry is pure gold, out of 24 parts. 24K is essentially pure gold, 18K is 75% gold, 14K is about 58.3% gold, and 10K is about 41.7% gold. The rest of the metal is made up of other metals, called alloys, which add strength and affect color.

A higher karat means more gold content per gram. But the total value of a piece also depends on its weight and the current price of gold, so a heavy 14K chain can be worth more than a tiny 18K ring.

Karat vs. Carat: Don’t Mix Them Up

These two words sound the same and are easy to confuse. Karat describes gold purity. Carat measures the weight of a diamond or gemstone. A ring can be 14 karat gold and hold a one-carat diamond, and each is valued separately.

Gold Karat Chart: 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K Compared

Karat	Gold Content	Common Stamps	Typically Found In
24K	About 99.9%	24K, 999	Bullion, some coins, investment gold
22K	About 91.7%	22K, 916	Some coins, some international jewelry
18K	75%	18K, 750	Fine jewelry, engagement rings, watches
14K	About 58.3%	14K, 585	Everyday jewelry, chains, class rings
10K	About 41.7%	10K, 417	Budget-friendly jewelry, class rings

Fourteen-karat gold is the most common in everyday American jewelry because it balances durability and gold content. Higher-karat gold is softer and scratches more easily, which is why it’s less common in rings and bracelets that take a beating.

How to Find the Karat of Your Gold Jewelry

Most gold jewelry is stamped, and finding the stamp takes a minute or two. Check these spots:

• Inside a ring band
• On or near the clasp of a necklace or bracelet
• On the post or back of an earring
• On the back or edge of a pendant or charm

A small magnifying glass or your phone’s camera zoom helps, since the markings are tiny. You’ll see either a number with a K (like 14K) or a three-digit number representing the parts per thousand of gold (like 585 for 14K).

Stamps That Mean the Piece Isn’t Solid Gold

Not everything that looks like gold is solid gold. Watch for markings such as GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled), GEP (gold electroplate), or HGE (heavy gold electroplate). These pieces have a thin layer of gold over another metal and contain very little gold value compared with solid gold jewelry.

A missing stamp doesn’t automatically mean a piece is fake. Older pieces, handmade items, and jewelry that has been resized or repaired can lose their markings. Professional testing is the best way to know for sure.

How Is Gold Actually Valued?

When gold is sold for its metal content, often called scrap gold, the value is based on three things: weight, purity, and the current market price of gold. Here’s how each one works.

Weight

Gold is weighed in grams, pennyweights (dwt), or troy ounces. One troy ounce equals about 31.1 grams, and one pennyweight equals about 1.55 grams. Because the stones, clasps, and other non-gold parts of a piece don’t count as gold, an accurate evaluation separates those out where possible.

Purity

Purity is the karat. To estimate the pure gold in a piece, multiply its weight by its gold percentage. Here’s what 10 grams of each karat contains:

Karat	Weight	Approximate Pure Gold
10K	10 grams	About 4.17 grams
14K	10 grams	About 5.83 grams
18K	10 grams	7.5 grams

Market Price

The price of gold changes throughout the day, and it can move up or down. That means the same piece can be worth more or less from one week to the next. You can follow gold prices through reputable financial news and market sources, but remember that those listed prices apply to pure gold in large quantities, not your jewelry.

Why Offers Are Usually Below the Market Price

It’s normal for an offer on scrap gold to come in below the listed market price. Gold has to be tested, melted down, and refined before it can be reused, and a business has costs to cover along the way. A trustworthy buyer will explain how they arrived at their number, and you’re always free to ask.

Does a Higher Karat Always Mean More Value?

Not necessarily. Karat tells you the purity, but weight is just as important. A 20-gram 14K chain contains more total gold than a 4-gram 18K ring, even though the ring is a higher karat.

Beyond the metal itself, some pieces carry value that has nothing to do with melting them down. Estate jewelry, designer pieces, vintage styles, and items with quality diamonds or gemstones may be worth more as jewelry than as scrap. This is why it helps to have someone look at the whole piece, not just the stamp.

Yellow, White, and Rose Gold: Does Color Change Value?

The color of gold comes from the metals mixed in with it, not from how pure it is. Yellow, white, and rose gold of the same karat contain the same percentage of gold. White gold is often coated with a thin layer of rhodium to give it a bright finish, and that coating can wear off over time without changing the gold content underneath.

How to Prepare Your Gold Before You Sell or Pawn It

A little preparation makes the evaluation faster and helps you know what to expect. Here’s a simple process:

1. Gather everything you want evaluated. Check drawers, jewelry boxes, and old pouches. Broken pieces and single earrings count.
2. Look for stamps. Note the karat on each piece if you can find it.
3. Sort by type. Keep chains, rings, earrings, and other pieces together to keep things organized.
4. Leave broken pieces as they are. There’s no need to repair a damaged chain before selling it as scrap gold.
5. Skip harsh cleaning. A gentle wipe is fine, but avoid chemicals or abrasives that could damage the piece.
6. Bring a valid photo ID. Florida law requires pawn shops to keep records of transactions.
7. Bring any paperwork. Appraisals, receipts, or certificates can help, especially for estate or designer pieces.

Should You Sell or Pawn Your Gold?

Both options turn your gold into cash, but they work differently. Selling is a permanent transaction, while pawning is a short-term loan that lets you get the item back if you repay it on time.

• Sell your gold if you no longer wear the pieces, they’re broken, or you want to be done with them.
• Pawn your gold if you need money for a short time and want to keep a piece with sentimental value.

Pawn loan terms in Florida are governed by state law, and amounts are never guaranteed. Always ask for the full terms in writing before you agree to anything. Our article on the benefits of pawning jewelry goes into more detail on how pawning works.

Common Mistakes People Make When Selling Gold

A few easy-to-avoid errors can cost you money or cause confusion:

• Assuming plated jewelry is solid gold. Check the stamps before setting expectations.
• Lumping all karats together. A 10K piece and an 18K piece are valued differently, even at the same weight.
• Forgetting that stones aren’t gold. The weight of stones doesn’t count toward the gold value.
• Expecting the full market price. Offers usually reflect refining and business costs.
• Selling to someone you can’t watch weigh it. An in-person evaluation lets you see your items weighed and ask questions as you go.

What to Expect When You Bring Gold to Florida Cash

Florida Cash has been buying gold and jewelry for St. Augustine and the surrounding area since 1992, including customers from Anastasia Island, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, and Ponte Vedra. The process is straightforward.

1. Bring your items in. Gold jewelry, scrap gold, gold coins, and gold watches are all welcome.
2. We test and weigh them. Our team checks the karat and weight, and you can watch.
3. We explain the offer. You’ll hear how the number was reached and can ask any questions.
4. You decide. Sell, pawn, or keep your items. There’s no obligation.

We don’t quote prices without seeing your jewelry, because the only honest answer to “what’s my gold worth?” comes from a real evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most valuable gold karat?

24K gold has the highest purity, so it contains the most gold per gram. But a piece’s total value depends on weight too, so a heavier lower-karat piece can be worth more than a lighter higher-karat one.

Is 14K gold real gold?

Yes. 14K gold is real gold mixed with other metals for strength. It’s about 58.3% pure gold.

How can I tell if my gold is real at home?

Start by looking for a karat stamp. Gold isn’t magnetic, so a strong attraction to a magnet suggests it isn’t solid gold, but a lack of attraction doesn’t prove it is. For a reliable answer, have it tested by a professional.

Does a pawn shop pay market price for gold?

Offers on scrap gold are typically below the listed market price because of refining and business costs. Ask how any offer was calculated so you understand the number.

Will I get paid for the diamonds or stones in my jewelry?

Stones are evaluated separately from the gold. Quality diamonds and gemstones may add value, while smaller or lower-quality stones may add little. A full evaluation will cover both.

Can I sell broken gold jewelry?

Generally, yes. Broken chains, mismatched earrings, and damaged rings are commonly sold for their gold content.

Is gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry worth anything?

These pieces contain only a thin layer of gold, so they’re worth much less than solid gold. Check the stamp to see what you have.

What’s the difference between karat and carat?

Karat measures gold purity. Carat measures the weight of diamonds and gemstones.

Final Thoughts

Understanding karat takes the mystery out of selling gold. Check your stamps, know that weight matters as much as purity, and expect an honest explanation of how any offer is calculated. With that knowledge, you can walk in confident and make the choice that fits your situation.

Get a Free Gold Evaluation at Florida Cash in St. Augustine

If you have gold jewelry, scrap gold, coins, or estate pieces sitting in a drawer, stop by Florida Cash for a free, no-obligation evaluation. We’ll test your items, explain what we find, and walk you through your options. You’re also welcome to browse our selection of quality pre-owned jewelry while you’re here.