Gold prices have been on a remarkable run in 2025. In October, the precious metal climbed to the year’s high of $4,381 per troy ounce. Since then, it has remained near record levels, hovering above $4,000.

Naturally, people want to know: “Is now a good time to sell gold jewelry I inherited or no longer wear?”

The value of gold jewelry fluctuates daily in response to changing economic conditions, inflation trends, and geopolitical events that impact investor behavior. While today’s prices create excellent selling opportunities, getting the best return requires understanding market conditions and your buyer options.

What Makes Now a Good (or Bad) Time to Sell Gold Jewelry

Today,  the price of gold is tracking around $4,000 per ounce, representing a notable increase from historical averages over the past decade.*

This price surge stems from several economic factors working together. Inflation worries, geopolitical tensions, and central bank buying have all pushed investors toward safe-haven assets, including gold.

Beyond daily price movements, timing also depends on current gold jewelry selling trends and broader economic conditions.

Holiday shopping seasons and wedding periods can create more buyer interest for certain jewelry types. Meanwhile, rising interest rates, a strengthening dollar, or improved economic stability can work against gold prices.

*Accurate as of December 1, 2025.

Examples of good periods to sell

Historically, the best times of year to sell gold jewelry include the following:

• Holidays: Jewelry demand may increase before major holidays (e.g., Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day), as people shop for gifts.
• Wedding season: The spring and summer months see a surge in demand for rings and bands made of gold.
• Periods of economic uncertainty: When geopolitical tensions and/or market instability arise, investors often seek refuge in gold for security.
• High inflation times: When currency loses value, people turn to gold as a hedge against inflation.
• When gold prices trend upward: Rising prices mean buyers can offer more while still maintaining their profit margins.

Ready to sell your gold?

Request a free Alloy Kit, ship from home, and receive a same-day offer after evaluation.

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Ready to sell your gold?

Request a free Alloy Kit, ship from home, and receive a same-day offer after evaluation.

SEND MY FREE KIT

Examples of bad periods to sell

These periods can halt gold prices and make selling less profitable:

• When interest rates rise: Higher rates make interest-bearing investments, such as savings accounts and bonds, more attractive than gold.
• When the U.S. dollar strengthens: A robust dollar lowers international demand as gold costs more for foreign buyers.
• Times of high economic confidence: During stable growth periods, investors may prefer stocks and real estate over gold.
• Early recession phases: Gold can initially drop as investors sell assets to cover other losses.
• When market stability improves: As geopolitical tensions ease, demand for gold typically decreases.

How Much Should I Expect to Get When Selling Jewelry?

You can expect trustworthy gold buyers to offer 60% to 90% of the melt value for jewelry. However, designer pieces or those with rare gemstones may fetch higher prices. The exact amount varies based on where you sell, too — reputable online buyers like The Alloy Market often pay more than pawn shops.

Learning the difference between melt value and resale value helps set realistic expectations. Melt value shows your jewelry’s worth based on weight and purity (essentially its value as raw metal). Buyers pay a percentage of the melt value to cover refining costs, overhead, and profit.

Some pieces command premiums beyond their gold content. Jewelry from luxury brands, such as Cartier, can sell for more than 100% of the purchase price on retail platforms like eBay. The same applies to pieces featuring high-quality diamonds or vintage items in pristine condition.

On the flip side, broken items, worn pieces, or outdated styles may sell for scrap value only.

How do you calculate melt value?
Calculating melt value requires three pieces of information: the weight of your jewelry, its purity percentage, and the current gold price. Here’s how to find each:

• Step 1: Find the purity percentage. Gold purity is measured in karats out of 24 total parts. Divide the karat number by 24 to get the percentage. For example, 14K gold is 14 ÷ 24 = 58.3% pure gold.
• Step 2: Weigh your jewelry. Use a jewelry scale to get the weight in troy ounces.
• Step 3: Get today’s gold price. Check the current price per troy ounce online.
• Step 4: Multiply weight × purity percentage × gold price to get your melt value. A 0.25 troy ounce 14K ring would be: 0.25 × 0.583 × $3,330 = $485 melt value. Legitimate offers should land between $291 and $436 (60% to 90% of this amount).

To make things easier, consider using this Gold Melt Value Calculator:

Should I Sell My Gold Jewelry Now or Wait?

Instead of fixating on analyst projections, ask yourself a more critical question: Does selling gold jewelry fit my current financial goals and situation?

If you need cash for immediate goals such as a home down payment, selling at today’s high prices makes sense. But pieces with deep sentimental meaning might be worth keeping regardless of market conditions. In today’s favorable gold market, both selling and holding can be smart.

But what if gold prices go up?

There is no reliable way to time the gold market. Prices move due to global events, inflation, investor demand, interest rate changes, and dozens of other variables nobody can accurately forecast. Trying to “wait for the peak” often leads to missing it.

A more realistic approach is this:

• Sell if you have a clear need or goal that the sale will help you reach.
• Hold if you’re unsure, or if selling would cause regret later.
• Consider a middle-ground approach, selling a few pieces now while keeping higher-purity or more valuable pieces in case the market continues to climb.

This way, you lock in today’s strong prices without feeling like you closed the door on future gains.

Who Should I Sell My Gold Jewelry To?

The best place to sell your gold jewelry depends on your priorities. Is it speed, maximum payout, or convenience? Some of the main options include pawn shops, gold dealers, jewelry stores, online marketplaces (e.g., eBay), and online gold buyers.

Pawn Shops:
For someone who needs money right away, a popular option is a local pawn shop. It’s easy to find one in most major cities, and someone can walk in with their gold and walk out with cash. The downside is that they typically pay the lowest of any gold buyer, at an average of 40% of the melt value.

Cash-for-Gold Buyers:
Another local buyer includes local cash-for-gold shops. Offers at these locations vary, but they also offer same-day cash. These locations are great for people who know what they have and prefer face-to-face negotiations. For someone who doesn’t like confrontation, they may want to look for another avenue.

Jewelry Stores:
Not all jewelry stores buy gold. Some may buy gold for melt value, while others only purchase pieces they can easily sell. Because the stores do not specialize in gold sales, offers here vary. Someone with jewelry that is still in high demand or designer items may do well to sell here.

Online Marketplaces:
For those looking to get more out of their jewelry than its melt value, peer-to-peer marketplaces are a great option, with a few caveats. Marketplaces allow sellers to reach large audiences, including buyers who may be willing to pay a premium for a very special piece. The downside is that sometimes finding that buyer can take months. Not to mention, sellers have to manage the entire transaction themselves.

Some online marketplaces offer a more hands-off approach, like auctions or a concierge service. These can be great options for people who don’t want to do any of the selling themselves. However, they may charge substantial fees for the service, thereby eating into profits.

Online Gold Buyers Like The Alloy Market
The Alloy Market makes selling gold for the highest price from the comfort of your home simple. We provide free, postage-paid parcels shipped directly to you when you request a kit. Package your jewelry and ship it to us, insurance and tracking included.

When items arrive, our team of professionals evaluates your jewelry and sends you a detailed and itemized offer. Did you receive an offer elsewhere? We offer a best-price guarantee; we’ll meet or beat any competitor’s offer up to 95% of the spot price. Just tell your Alloy Advisor. The payment is issued the same business day you accept, before 5 PM. If you decline the offer, we will return your items to you at no cost.

Finding a Trusted Gold Buyer

Following the steps below can help you choose the right buyer:

• Learn the best way to sell gold jewelry.
• Ask friends and family for recommendations.
• Request quotes from at least three buyers and get to know their policies.
• Check reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings for any buyer you consider.
• Avoid buyers who pressure you to sell on the spot or refuse to explain their pricing.
• If choosing an online company, they should offer upfront estimates upon request. Even better, try to find a company that provides self-service tools to get estimates, such as a cash-for-gold calculator.
• All companies should be able to tell you a minimum payout that they offer based on the market price; if not, that could be a red flag.
• If you can’t figure out who is behind the company, that is a red flag.
• If dealing with an online buyer, reputable buyers will have a physical address listed, not a P.O. box. It’s a good sign if they allow you to visit their physical address as well.
• Ask whether you will receive an itemized offer so you know what the company is willing to pay for each piece, not just a lump sum.

Your Go-To Trusted Gold Buyer

For one of the simplest ways to sell your gold jewelry for the highest payout, consider selling to The Alloy Market, a nationally recognized precious metal buyer recommended by the likes of CBS, Yahoo, U.S. News & World Report, and many more. Unlike most gold buyers, Alloy offers minimum payouts and even provides upfront estimates.

Alloy boasts a high customer satisfaction rating. Their team has built the company with the mission of bringing trust and transparency to an industry that clearly needed it.

You can request a free Alloy Kit to get a professional evaluation and purchase offer for your gold jewelry. If you’re close to their headquarters in Newtown, PA, you can get an in-person evaluation by scheduling an appointment.