Why Weight in Grams Is Key for Pricing
May 11, 2023
{
"Title": "Why Weight in Grams Is Key for Pricing Precious Metals",
"Date": "05/11/23",
"Content": "
Understanding How Precious Metals Are Priced
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When you decide to sell unwanted gold, silver, coins, or even dental gold, one of the first questions you’ll encounter is: how much is it worth? People often assume that the size of an item or how it looks determines value. In reality, weight in grams is the core of pricing decisions for gold and silver. Buyers and refiners use grams because it is a precise, universal unit of measure, and it allows both sellers and buyers to calculate value fairly and consistently.
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Why Grams Matter More Than Size
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A large-looking item may not be worth more than a smaller-looking piece if the smaller piece is denser and higher in purity. For example, a tiny 18K gold ring can be more valuable than a big costume bracelet. Measuring in grams gives a consistent number that professionals can apply against current metal market rates. Since the global metal markets often quote in troy ounces, and 1 troy ounce equals 31.1 grams, translating your jewelry’s weight into grams makes it easy to calculate melt value accurately and ensure you’re quoted a fair price.
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Step 1: Identifying Precious Metals Correctly
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Before weighing, you need to be sure what you have. Buyers won’t pay for plated or counterfeit items, and knowing how to verify authenticity helps set your expectations.
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Gold karat stamps: Look for 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, or 24K marks.
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Silver hallmarks: Typical marks include “925,” “Sterling,” or “800.”
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Magnet test: Precious metals are non-magnetic. If a piece sticks firmly to a magnet, it is likely not gold or sterling silver.
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Plated indicators: Marks like “GF” (gold-filled) or “HGE” (heavy gold electroplate) show plating rather than solid metal.
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Other marks: Coins and flatware often have discreet hallmarks. A guide from the U.S. Mint can help verify silver content in U.S. coins.
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Step 2: Testing Options You Should Know
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Buyers typically perform simple, non-destructive tests to confirm your items. These include:
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Visual inspection: Checking stamps, wear, and color.
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Acid test: A drop of acid shows how metal reacts by color change.
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Electronic tester: Uses small electrical current to identify purity.
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XRF (X-ray fluorescence): Advanced tool that determines composition precisely.
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Sellers are not expected to do all tests themselves, but knowing what to expect builds trust.
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Step 3: Weighing Your Precious Metals
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Weighing is best done with a digital scale that measures in grams. Many inexpensive jewelry scales can measure down to 0.01 grams, giving a precise reading.
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Place your jewelry or coin on the scale.
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Record the number of grams.
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Group items of the same purity together (e.g., keep 14K separate from 18K gold).
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Sample Conversion Table
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Weight in Grams | Equivalent Troy Ounces |
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1 g | 0.032 troy oz |
10 g | 0.32 troy oz |
31.1 g | 1.0 troy oz |
100 g | 3.22 troy oz |
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Step 4: Understanding Melt Value vs. Offer Value
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Once you know the grams and purity, you can calculate rough melt value—the price someone would pay if your piece were melted down for its pure metal content. However, most buyers will make an offer slightly below melt because of refining costs, processing, and risk. Knowing this in advance gives you realistic expectations and confidence during the transaction.
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Special Cases: Dental Gold and Coins
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Dental Gold
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Dental gold is usually 10K–22K, and often mixed with porcelain or steel. You do not need to remove porcelain yourself if unsafe; just keep dental crowns together in a small, labeled bag. Even tiny pieces have value, especially once weighed correctly.
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Coins
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Not all old-looking coins are solid gold or silver. For example, many U.S. dimes, quarters, and half-dollars prior to 1965 were 90% silver, while later coins are not silver at all. Refer to U.S. Mint composition charts to confirm exact silver content.
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Step 5: Preparing Your Items for Mailing
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Once sorted and weighed, safe mailing is crucial for protecting your value.
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Remove fragile non-metal parts only if easy and safe to do.
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Bag and label lots (for example, one bag for 14K rings, one for dental gold).
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Protect small items by taping bags closed or using padded envelopes.
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Track and insure shipping: USPS Registered Mail is highly secure. Review options on the USPS insurance services page.
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Always keep your receipt and tracking number for chain of custody.
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Step 6: What Happens After Mailing
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When your items arrive at a refinery or buyer, they typically log them, weigh in grams, and test purity. Some companies provide a photo and detailed breakdown before making an offer. Expect a call, email, or online portal notification with your payout amount based on actual test results.
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Payment Options Explained
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Once you agree to sell, you typically have several secure payment methods to choose from:
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PayPal: Fast, widely accepted; small fees may apply when transferring balances to a bank.
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Venmo or Cash App: Instant digital options; usually app-based only.
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Zelle: Direct bank-to-bank transfer; no fees, but daily limits may apply.
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ACH (bank transfer): Reliable, often 1–2 business days; no app required.
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Check: Paper copy mailed; slower, but some prefer tangible records.
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Best Practices: Safety and Record Keeping
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To protect your interests:
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Photograph items before mailing.
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Keep written notes of weights in grams and descriptions.
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Consider using a tool such as GavelBase for organizing simple records of what you mailed.
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Save receipts and correspondence.
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Quick Checklist Before You Mail
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✓ Identify and sort metals by karat or hallmark.
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✓ Weigh items in grams and write down results.
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✓ Separate and label dental gold, coins, flatware, and jewelry.
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✓ Photograph everything.
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✓ Pack items securely; get tracking and insure appropriately.
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✓ Keep copies of notes, receipts, and tracking details.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I tell if gold is real?
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Look for karat stamps, do the magnet test (real gold is not magnetic), and understand that a professional test may be needed for certainty.
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Is weight in grams always the final factor?
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Weight in grams and purity determine core melt value. Stones, design, condition, or collectibles may add value in certain cases, but buyers generally focus on metal content.
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