14K Gold Calculator

Is 14K gold real?

Yes, 14K gold is real gold. The karat system is a 24-part scale that measures the percentage of a piece’s metal content that is pure gold, with the remaining metal content being other metals added for strength or color.

How much gold is in 14K gold? Here’s how to figure the math:

• 24K gold means all 24 parts are pure gold. (100% gold)
• 14K gold means 14 parts out of 24 are pure gold. The remaining 10 parts are alloys such as copper, silver, or zinc. (58.3% gold)

(To figure out how much gold is in ANY piece of jewelry, divide the karat value by 24 to get the percentage of gold.)

The combination of metals is what gives 14K gold the balance of durability and lustre necessary for jewelry that can stand up to daily wear. Pure 24K gold is much too soft for jewelry that is worn often, making it susceptible to scratches and bending. 

So while it isn’t 100% pure gold, 14K gold is real gold alloyed for practical use.

What is 14K gold?

14K gold is an alloy that combines 58.3% pure gold with 41.7% other metals such as copper, silver, nickel, or zinc. These different metals combine to create a more durable metal, suitable for jewelry that is regularly worn. Pure 24K gold is very soft and easily damaged with heavy wear.

It is the most commonly used karat for jewelry, not only for durability, but also for affordability. Pieces crafted using 14K gold will be marked with stamps such as “585” or “14K” inside a ring or near a clasp.

How much is 14K gold worth?

The value of 14K gold is determined by its weight and the current spot price of gold. Since we know that 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold, here’s how the numbers work out.

Imagine you have a 14K gold necklace that weighs 3 grams, and the current spot price of gold is $120 per gram.

To figure out the 14K gold price:
Purity x weight x spot price = melt value
.583 x 3 x 120 = $209.88

It’s important to understand that, when selling 14K gold, most gold buyers will not pay the full melt value. Instead, they will offer a percentage of the melt value to account for any business operating expenses. It is best to compare multiple offers before making a decision.

What is the 14K gold price per gram at a pawn shop?

Pawn shops typically pay the smallest percentage of any gold buyers. The trade-off for sellers is that they can get cash fast or use their gold for collateral to borrow money. The ticker below features a live-updating valuation of the 14K gold price per gram at a pawn shop today, as well as the minimum offer you can expect if you sell the same piece to The Alloy Market.