If you have a drawer of old 14K chains, rings, or a broken bracelet, the first question is always the same: what is it actually worth? The good news is that gold has a transparent, math-based value — once you understand the formula, no buyer can bluff you. This guide breaks down exactly how 14K gold is priced per gram in 2026 and how to make sure you get top dollar.
What "14K" actually means
Karat measures purity out of 24. Pure gold is 24K. 14K gold is 14 parts gold out of 24 — 58.5% pure, with the rest made up of alloy metals like copper, silver, and zinc that add strength and color. That 58.5% number is the single most important figure in pricing your gold, because you're only paid for the actual gold content, not the alloy.
| Karat | Purity | Relative value |
|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.7% | Lowest |
| 14K | 58.5% | Most common in the U.S. |
| 18K | 75.0% | Higher |
| 24K | 99.9% | Pure |
The formula buyers use
Every honest gold buyer prices your item the same way. Here is the exact calculation:
Weight (grams) × 0.585 × current gold price per gram = pure melt value
In 2026, gold has traded in the range of roughly $3,800 to $4,100 per troy ounce. Since one troy ounce equals 31.1 grams, that puts the price of pure gold around $122–$132 per gram. Run 14K through the formula and each gram of 14K jewelry carries roughly $71–$77 in pure gold value. Prices move daily, so always check the live spot ticker on our homepage before you sell.
A quick real-world example
Say you have a 14K gold chain weighing 20 grams. At a gold price of $128/gram: 20 × 0.585 × $128 = about $1,498 in pure gold value. What you actually pocket depends entirely on the buyer's payout percentage — and that's where sellers win or lose hundreds of dollars.
Want your exact number in 60 seconds?
Call (909) 737-2467Melt value vs. what you get paid
Here's the part most shops don't want you to understand. The melt value is what the pure gold is worth. But most pawn shops and jewelry stores pay only 50% to 70% of melt and pocket the rest. On that 20-gram chain, a 55%-of-melt shop hands you around $825 — nearly half the gold's value gone.
At SoCal Cash for Gold, we pay up to 95% of live spot, weigh and test everything in front of you, and show you the math on the scale. That same chain pays out closer to $1,423. Same gold, hundreds of dollars in difference — just from who you sell to.
What affects your 14K payout
- Weight — the biggest factor. Buyers pay by the gram, so a kitchen scale gives you a rough idea before you go.
- The daily spot price — gold moves every day. Selling on a strong day can add real money.
- Stones and clasps — gemstones and non-gold parts are deducted from weight, though diamonds may carry separate value.
- The buyer's percentage — the single biggest variable you control. Always compare.
How to get top dollar for 14K gold
Weigh your pieces at home first. Separate by karat if you can (check for a 14K, 585, or 583 stamp). Then get a real, no-obligation quote based on the live price — not a lowball flat rate. If a buyer won't show you the weight and the math, walk out. Learn more in our guide on how to sell gold jewelry for the most cash, or read why cash-for-gold beats pawn shops.
What 14K Sells for at Our Montclair Counter Today
All that per-gram math turns into real cash the moment you set your pieces on the scale. At our shop at 4994 Holt Blvd in Montclair, we price 14K off the live spot price the minute you walk in, weigh every item in front of you, and pay up to 95% of live spot — the same 58.5% purity formula from this guide, applied honestly on your gold. That 20-gram chain example above isn't a hypothetical here; it's the kind of payout we hand out same-day in cash, Zelle, or Venmo.
We're a short drive for sellers across the Inland Empire — Claremont, Upland, Pomona, Chino, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga are all just minutes away, so there's no reason to drive to Los Angeles and give up part of your value. We're licensed and bonded, and quotes are free with no obligation. See how we price 14K for neighbors in our Ontario gold buyer guide, or just bring your chains in and watch the numbers add up.