Sell Gold Rings

What your gold ring is really worth

Most rings — wedding bands, class rings, plain gold bands — are valued by buyers as scrap gold: weight times purity times today's spot price. The setting, the sizing, the engraving, none of that adds melt value. Use the calculator above to enter the ring's weight in grams and its karat, and you'll see the current melt value instantly. That's your baseline before anyone makes an offer.

Find the karat stamp first

Almost every gold ring has a tiny stamp on the inside of the band — look for 10K, 14K, 18K, or a numeric equivalent like 417, 585, or 750 (the percentage of gold, expressed in parts per thousand). If the stamp is worn smooth, a buyer will test the metal with acid or an electronic tester rather than guess. Knowing the karat yourself lets you check their math:

• 10K = 41.7% gold
• 14K = 58.3% gold
• 18K = 75% gold
• 24K = 99.9%+ gold (rare in rings — too soft for daily wear)

Sizing, prongs, and other parts don't count

A ring that's been resized, has extra solder, or is missing a prong weighs the same in gold terms — buyers pay for the metal weight left after removing stones, not for the craftsmanship. If your ring has visible wear, wrong size, or a bent band, it makes no difference to the scrap price: only weight and karat matter once it's headed for the melt pot.

Center stones and side stones are priced separately

Diamonds, sapphires, and other gemstones have zero melt value and are never included in a gold quote. A reputable buyer should remove and weigh the stone separately, then quote the gold band and the stone as two line items. If a shop only gives you one lump number for a diamond ring, ask them to break it down — you want to know what you're being paid for the gold versus the stone.

When a ring is worth more than melt

Designer rings (recognizable maker's marks), vintage Art Deco or Victorian pieces, and rings from well-known jewelry houses can sell for considerably more intact than melted, especially through an estate jeweler, auction house, or online resale platform. If your ring has a hallmark you don't recognize, or looks handmade and old, it's worth a second opinion before it goes in the scrap pile.

Getting a fair offer

Real cash offers for scrap rings typically land around 60–85% of melt value, since the buyer needs margin to cover refining and resale. To make sure you're treated fairly:

• Get two or three quotes — offers on the same ring can vary significantly between buyers.
• Ask what spot price they're using and confirm it against the live chart above.
• Have any stones removed and weighed separately before the gold is priced.
• Bring a photo ID — most states require it for precious-metal purchases.