February 3, 2026 · 5 min read
10K vs 14K vs 18K: What Your Gold Is Really Worth
Two rings can weigh the same and be worth wildly different amounts. Here is why the stamp inside the band matters more than the size of the piece.
We see it every week: two rings on the scale at the same weight, and one is worth nearly twice the other. The difference is karat — the proportion of the piece that is actually gold.
What the stamps mean
American jewelry is stamped in karats out of 24. European and imported jewelry usually uses parts per thousand instead.
- 10K / 417 — 41.7% gold. Durable, common in class rings and mass-market jewelry.
- 14K / 585 — 58.3% gold. The American default for wedding bands and chains.
- 18K / 750 — 75% gold. Fine and designer jewelry, richer color, softer metal.
- 22K / 916 — 91.7% gold. Common in imported and gift jewelry; very soft.
- 24K / 999 — 99.9% gold. Bullion bars and coins.
The real value gap
Per gram of metal, 14K holds 40% more gold than 10K. 18K holds 29% more than 14K. 22K holds 57% more than 14K. Those gaps carry straight through to your payout.
A 20-gram 10K bracelet contains 8.3 grams of pure gold. The same 20 grams in 18K contains 15 grams — nearly double the money for an identical-looking piece.
Why you should sort before you sell
A buyer who tips your whole pile onto one scale and quotes a single karat is costing you money. Sort by stamp at home, and ask the buyer to test and weigh each karat group separately. We do that as standard, and we will show you each reading.
Not sure what a piece is? Unmarked gold is common, especially in older and repaired jewelry. That is what testing is for, and it is free.
White, yellow and rose gold
Color comes from the alloy metals, not the gold content. 14K white, yellow and rose gold all contain the same 58.3% gold and are all worth the same per gram. Rhodium plating on white gold does not change the value either.
Check your own numbers
Our payout calculator lets you pick the karat, enter the weight in grams, pennyweights or troy ounces, and see an estimate based on today's market. Bring the estimate with you — the counter offer uses the same math.
Ready to find out your number?
Bring your items to any Michigan Gold Buyers counter, or send photos and we will price them the same business day.