How Much Is a 14K Gold Chain Worth? Tips on Buying & Selling Gold Chains
Buying and selling jewelry can be a time-consuming process. You want to make sure that you are getting the true value of your piece as a seller and avoid overpaying as a buyer. The key to buying and selling gold chains and other gold jewelry is through research, but we’ve compiled some other tips below to help you navigate through the process.
As you begin your research, you’ll discover that 14K gold is one of the most common types of real gold jewelry on the market, which begs the question “How much is a 14K gold chain worth?” This depends on several shifting factors that we’ll dive into with our guide for buyers and sellers.
What Is the Karat System?
Although some people use “carat” and “karat” interchangeably, there is a major difference between these two terms. “Carat” is used to describe the weight of a diamond, with one carat being equal to 0.2 grams. Obviously, the higher the number of carats, the larger the diamond, but that does not necessarily mean that the diamond is of better quality or clarity. These are other factors you need to keep in mind when buying or selling any type of diamond jewelry.
“Karat,” on the other hand, refers to the percentage of gold in a piece of gold jewelry. Because solid gold is a very malleable material that can easily become deformed, scratched, or damaged, it’s necessary to combine gold with other metal alloys such as nickel, copper, or silver.
The karat system lets you know how much gold is present in your piece out of 24 parts, meaning that a 24K piece of jewelry would be entirely made of gold. A piece of jewelry that is 14K gold is made of 14 parts gold and 10 parts metal alloy. Based on this information, you can figure out how much a 14K gold chain is worth. It is one of the more common types of gold jewelry, as it’s more affordable than the 18K or 22K but still valuable, as 50 percent of the piece is made from solid gold.
How Is the Worth of Jewelry Determined?
Many factors need to be considered when attempting to determine the value of a 14K gold chain—or any other piece of jewelry, for that matter. If you’re looking to sell some jewelry, but you’re unsure whether or not it’s a pure metal, check for a hallmark. This mark is a way for the jeweler to verify the piece’s authenticity and purity.
If there is a hallmark on your jewelry, it may be worth some money—though don’t get your hopes up yet. You’ll still need to determine what precious metals are included in your jewelry, the composition of those metals, which gemstones may be included, and the level of clarity in each gemstone. This is why it’s best to take your jewelry to be appraised before you try to sell anything. You’ll have a realistic understanding of how much your gold chain or other jewelry is worth before you start taking any offers.
How Much Is a 14K Gold Chain Worth?
It’s difficult to answer this question without knowing more about your 14K gold chain. Because there are many different types of gold chains, there are many variables that can add or take away from the overall value. In addition to this fact, the price of gold is always fluctuating, so, if you’re looking to sell or buy, you should first check the current going rate.
After that, determine the weight of your gold jewelry, so that you can calculate the estimated value of your piece based on the current price of gold per gram. From this information, you should have a general sense of how much a 14K gold chain is worth. If the piece also includes extra factors such as additional precious metals, particularly more valuable ones like platinum, or desirable gemstones like diamonds, rubies, or emeralds, the price could be even higher.
Tips for Selling Jewelry
Have Your Jewelry Appraised
If you’re looking to sell jewelry, you must go to a jewelry appraiser beforehand to get a professional opinion on the true value of your piece. Along with factors like gemstone clarity, karats, weight, etc., the condition of your jewelry will play a major factor in your jewelry’s value. However, you should keep in mind that the estimated price an appraiser typically comes up with is based on the current retail value, not the resale price. You should be sure to ask for a resale price, as well, so that you have a clear sense of what you can get from a real buyer.
Sell Through a Reputable Channel
Once you’ve decided to sell some of your jewelry, you need to decide where you should list your available products. Unfortunately, too many people fall into the trap of selling through a sketchy platform or try to arrange a sale through the internet with a stranger, only to be scammed or ripped off.
Always do your research beforehand to find a respectable place to list your available jewelry. If you’re looking to get quick cash, you may want to consider a pawn shop or a jeweler that buys second-hand pieces; however, you should be aware that these types of establishments will often give you less money than you may be able to get from a private seller.
Consider Multiple Offers
You do not need to sell your jewelry to the first person who shows interest. In fact, it’s often more beneficial to you to entertain several different offers, as you may be able to leverage your other interested buyers in such a way that you raise the price. The greater the demand, the higher the price. Again, if you’re looking for a way to make money fast, this tip may not help, but you should also be prepared to accept a much lower rate if you’re simply trying to get rid of your jewelry as fast as possible.
If you’re selling a piece of jewelry that holds emotional value to you, you may feel even more inclined to get a good price, but you also need to emotionally prepare yourself to let it go. This can be one of the most difficult aspects of selling family jewelry like your grandmother’s ring or father’s ring. Make sure that you are truly ready to let these items go before you list and wait for the right price.
Track Gold Prices
If you keep track of the current gold rate, you’ll be able to determine the best time to sell. Whenever the gold rate rises a bit, you may feel more inclined to list your old jewelry, so that you can get a higher price and use your money to purchase a new gold chain that fits better with your collection.
Consider Fees from Buyer
Depending on what platform you decide to use to sell your jewelry, there may be some additional fees included, particularly when using third-party services that sell your jewelry for you. Ask every platform or shop that you’re considering using about the potential fees, so you can determine which places are the cheapest and which will potentially make you the most money. If it’s not worth the fee, you may want to consider selling directly to a buyer, though additional risks come with this type of sale.
Tips for Buying Jewelry
Buy From a Reputable Seller
As the buyer, you also want to look for a reputable platform to buy from. We would not normally recommend buying from a private seller unless it is someone you know personally. If you’ve never purchased jewelry through an eCommerce platform, you might be a bit skeptical, but there are some easy ways to tell whether or not a seller is reputable, and you’re often able to secure cheaper prices when buying online than from a brick-and-mortar jewelry store.
If you’re considering buying from a well-known online jewelry seller like Frost NYC, you’ll notice that these sellers have clear exchange and return policies listed on their website, as well as easy ways to reach their customer support staff. If you see a company that is missing either of these features, you should take that as a red flag.
Read Reviews
When looking at jewelry for sale, you should always try to find customer reviews for the seller or company if you're never bought from them before. Carefully read through the reviews to get a sense of how the company or individual seller operates their business and whether or not you feel comfortable buying. You want to make sure that the majority of the reviews are positive and they address the quality of the jewelry and the fairness of pricing.
Shop Around for Prices
We recommend doing your research on prices before buying as well. It can be tempting to jump on something that you might think is a good sale, but shop around first to make sure that it is the best piece for you and at the right price. This will also give you a sense of the going rate for certain types of jewelry whether it is a refurbished Rolex or a brand new set of iced-out gold chains.
If you find a product that seems much, much cheaper or more expensive than the average, it’s safe to assume that something isn’t entirely right, and you should avoid buying from that person or company.
Consider Getting Jewelry Insurance After Buying
For anyone looking to buy a dope new gold chain, it’s also a good idea to get your jewelry appraised, though this step usually must come after the purchase of the piece. Appraisals are often used for insurance purposes to protect your new expensive accessory. Although homeowners or renters insurance will cover up to a certain amount of personal belongings, it may not cover enough to include your most valuable jewelry and some insurance policies specifically exclude items like jewelry.
If you’re going to invest in something expensive, it’s better to play it safe and pay the extra monthly fee to insure your jewelry. Most policies will cover the cost if your piece is damaged, stolen, or even lost, in some cases. To secure jewelry insurance, first you do need to get an appraisal for an accurate idea of its value.
Frost NYC Has the Dopest Chains on the Market
For anyone looking to invest in some high-quality new hip hop jewelry, Frost NYC is the perfect retailer for you. Our extensive collection includes many types of gold chains, from the classic Cuban link style to the more unusual herringbone style. No matter what you’re looking for, we probably have it—bracelets, rings, watches, and more. Each of our original pieces has been carefully crafted and coated in a high-quality finish to help prevent your gold chains from being scratched and maintain their beautiful, shiny appearance for years.
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