Gold Guides

Practical guides to help you understand gold purity, value your jewelry, and sell with confidence.

14K vs 18K Gold

Differences in purity, durability, color, price, and value

Purity, price, durability, and when each makes sense

Differences, value, and how to tell them apart

Home tests, hallmark checks, and when to see a professional

What melt value means, how it's calculated, and why it matters

Where to sell, what buyers pay, and how to get the best price

What the 585 hallmark stamp means, how it relates to 14K, and what to do next

What the 750 hallmark stamp means, how it relates to 18K, and what to do next

What the 916 hallmark stamp means, how it relates to 22K, and what to do next

Pawn shops typically pay 30–60% of melt value — estimated payouts per gram by karat

Gold bar values by size — 1g to 400 oz — at the current spot price with dealer premiums

Which karats tarnish, why it happens, and how to prevent and clean it

Pound and kilo of gold values — avoirdupois vs. troy explained, with gold value by weight

Why pure gold isn't magnetic, why some jewelry still sticks, and what the magnet test proves

Same gold, different alloys — appearance, durability, upkeep, and identical melt value explained

The legal definition, how vermeil compares to plated and filled, and what 925 on gold means