What Does 585 Mean on Jewelry?

Anyone who has taken a close look at a piece of fine jewelry has likely noticed a minuscule stamp somewhere on it. These stamps vary and can carry a plethora of meanings. But one stamp in particular often has many scratching their head. What does 585 mean on jewelry? Read on to learn about what 585 means, whether it’s real gold, how it compares to other gold types, and whether it’s worth selling.

What Is 585 Gold?

To put it simply, 585 on jewelry means it is 58.5% pure gold. These stamps, called hallmarks, allow jewelers to identify and provide information about the piece. This particular hallmark denotes fineness, similar to karats but with slight differences.

Fineness measures gold purity in parts of 1000. So 585 means the gold used contains 585 parts per 1000 of pure gold. The karat system uses parts per 24, so pure gold is 24K. Each karat marking means there are that many parts of pure gold per 24 total parts. For example, 14K gold means the piece contains 14 parts of pure gold per 24.

Some countries prefer fineness markings because they use a universal, numeric system not tied to regional terminology. While karat markings are standard in the US and UK, the word “karat” may be confused with “carat,” which refers to gemstone weight. Fineness markings keep things standardized and easy to understand to avoid confusion.

Does 585 Mean 14K Gold?

Yes, 585 gold and 14K gold represent the same gold purity. Here’s how the two markings compare numerically.

Since karats measure parts per 24, to find the percentage of pure gold in 14K, we divide 14 by 24:
14/24 = 58.3%

In the case of fineness, a 585 marking means the gold contains 585 parts per 1000 of pure gold.
585/1000 = 58.5%

Both percentages fall within acceptable manufacturing limits and are considered 14K gold. Jewelers, refiners, and gold buyers treat 585 and 14K as interchangeable when discussing and valuing gold.

Is 585 Real Gold?

Yes, 585 indicates the real gold content; specifically, the piece is 58.5% pure gold. The main caveat is that stamps can occasionally be faked. Because 14K gold is the most commonly used karat for fine jewelry, it is sometimes targeted by counterfeiters who may use 14K gold plating to simulate solid gold and mark it with the 585 or 14K hallmark.

While most stamped jewelry is genuine, testing is the best way to verify authenticity. Visual inspections are a great jumping-off point, but professional evaluation is the most reliable option. Many local jewelers can test a piece with an XRF machine to verify whether a piece is solid gold.

Is 585 Gold Good Quality?

Yes, 585 gold is of good quality. It represents the same gold purity as 14K gold, which is the most commonly used karat in fine jewelry made in the US. Consumers often choose it for its blend of affordability and durability. The combination of metal alloys in the piece makes it strong enough to withstand daily wear, ideal for engagement and wedding rings, while still making solid gold accessible to the everyday buyer.

Pure 24K gold, in contrast, is too soft for daily wear. Jewelers don’t typically use it in pieces that will be exposed to regular wear or impact. Instead, in some cultures, it is common to use it in pieces worn for special occasions, such as weddings.

The inherent value of 585 gold means that once someone tires of a piece, it can still benefit them by being resold. More than half of a piece made of 585 gold is pure gold and will retain value regardless of wear or changing style preferences.

How Much Is 585 Gold Worth?

How much 585 gold is worth depends on two other factors: its purity, weight, and the spot price of gold. Together, these determine the melt value, the base valuation of a precious metal in a piece. Melt value gives sellers a clear starting point for understanding what their gold is worth when considering a sale.

Some pieces may sell for more than their melt value, particularly if a notable designer made them, they remain in high demand, or have vintage appeal. However, most older, out-of-style, or broken pieces are valued solely for their melt value. The condition of the jewelry does not reduce the gold’s melt value, since buyers are purchasing the metal itself.

Gold buyers do not pay the full melt value, as they must account for refining costs and operating expenses. For this reason, offers are quoted as a percentage of the melt value rather than the full amount.

Is 585 Gold Pawnable?

Yes, 585 gold is pawnable; most pawn shops accept it for its pure gold content. Pawn shops typically start with the melt value, but offers are often lower than other selling options. Based on our analysis of pawn shop payouts, offers range from 20% to 60%, but on average, they pay around 40%.

Sellers do not have to sell their gold outright to a pawn shop. Many pawn shops allow sellers to use their gold as collateral for short-term loans. The shop will evaluate the gold, offer an amount and set terms, and hold the gold until the loan is either repaid with interest or forfeited. For someone in need of quick cash but who wants the option to reclaim their jewelry, this can be a viable option.

Other local options for selling 585 gold include some jewelers, coin shops, and cash-for-gold buyers. These buyers generally value gold based on its melt value, though some jewelers may pay more for pieces with high resale value; it depends on the store. Offers from these buyers vary, so it’s always best to compare a few before making a decision.

An alternative to local options is an online gold buyer. Sellers can ship their items in for evaluation and a purchase offer. It makes selling gold so easy that anyone can do it from home. No hassle, no uncomfortable negotiations necessary.

Which Gold Is Better, 585 or 750?

Whether 585 or 750 gold is better depends on what someone values. While 585 gold is 58.5% pure, 750 gold is 75% pure and commonly referred to as 18K in the US. By that measure alone, 750 gold contains more pure gold than 585 by weight. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better; it just means their purity levels differ. However, due to the differences, a 750 gold piece will have a higher melt value than a 585 gold piece of the same weight.

In terms of durability, 585 wins over 750 due to the presence of more metal alloys. This combination of metals creates a stronger product, while 750 is softer. A piece made from 750 gold may show more scratches or bending due to this trait. While 585 is traditionally used for everyday pieces, 750 gold is more commonly used in luxury pieces that won’t see as much wear and tear.

The appearance of 750 gold has a richer, warmer gold color due to the higher gold content. Yellow gold made from 585 may appear slightly lighter due to the alloys used in the mix. Of course, color preferences are subjective and style-driven.

In the US, 585 or 14K gold is most widely used for fine jewelry. However, in markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, 750 or 18K is preferred. Both are highly valued and can be easily resold for their precious metal content.

Ultimately, if someone values durability, 585 gold is the clear choice. Pieces made from this gold type are well-suited for everyday wear and long-term use. If someone prefers pieces containing more gold or if richness and warmth matter, 750 gold is the way to go. From a selling standpoint, both are valued by their gold content and can be sold accordingly.

Which Karat of Gold Is Worth the Most?

The most straightforward answer is that the karat with the most value is 24K, because it is pure gold. However, 24K gold is not commonly used in US gold jewelry because it is much too soft. Instead, 24K gold is reserved for investment pieces, such as coins or bars.

Gold jewelry is most commonly made from lower karats, 10K to 18K, with higher-karat jewelry being less common due to durability concerns. Among jewelry-grade gold, the pieces with the highest karat contain the purest gold by weight and therefore have the highest melt value. In the US, that generally means 18K gold jewelry is worth more per gram than lower-karat pieces of the same weight.

How to Sell 585 Gold Safely

The first step to selling 585 gold is to identify it correctly. Start by locating the hallmark somewhere on the piece. From there, weigh the piece in grams. Use a kitchen or postage scale to do this.

Then, find the current spot price of gold. This number fluctuates throughout the day in response to global demand, so knowing the most up-to-date figure is key to determining a piece’s value.

With all of these figures, it’s simple to calculate the melt value. The formula works like this:
purity x weight x spot price

Imagine a 10g piece of 585 gold when gold is $130/g.
.585 x 10 x 130 = 760.5

In this instance, the piece has a melt value of $760.50. This melt value serves as the basis for all offers from gold buyers.

To make calculations easy, use this 14K(585) calculator to determine the value of a piece.

For high-value items, sellers may be able to fetch a higher price on peer-to-peer platforms like eBay or Poshmark. Pieces made by notable designers or with a vintage appeal may do well on high-end auction sites or on consignment platforms such as The RealReal. While it may be possible to extract more value from a piece this way, it does take much longer than some other selling options. Fees also eat into profits, cutting into the seller’s take-home pay.

When selecting a method of sale, sellers should always compare options. It’s wise to obtain a couple of offers before making a decision. When selecting a buyer, consider these tips to help choose a reputable option:

• Look for transparent pricing. A reputable buyer should clearly explain how offers are calculated and use the current market price of gold.
• Be cautious of pressure tactics. Reputable buyers allow sellers time to review offers and will not rush them into making a decision.
• Check reviews and business history. Businesses should have online reviews, show longevity, and display clear contact information. These establish that the company is active and reliable.
• Ask about fees and deductions up front. Legitimate buyers will not shy away from payout discussions.
• Get offers in writing. A written quote helps prevent misunderstandings and provides proof of the terms offered. Offers should be detailed and break down each piece in the lot individually.
• When selling online, use insured shipping. A reputable online gold buyer will always offer free shipping, insurance, and tracking for items in transit.

By following these tips, one can ensure they are dealing with a reputable service.

Selling 585 Gold to The Alloy Market

The Alloy Market is the premier online destination for selling 585 gold and precious metals of all purities and karats. We make selling gold from your home simple. When you request a free evaluation kit, it ships directly to your door. Inside, we provide a postage-paid parcel to pack your items and ship them back to us for inspection and a purchase offer. We cover insurance and tracking while your items are in transit, so you know they’re safe.

When the valuables arrive with us, our team of professionals uses top-of-the-line testing equipment to verify authenticity and weigh your pieces. You will then receive a clear, itemized, no-obligation offer including payout for each piece. Accept your offer, and we’ll initiate payment on the same business day. If you choose not to accept, we’ll ship your items back to you at no cost.

Join the number of happy customers who choose Alloy for their precious metal selling needs.