You've got a tangled chain, a ring from an old relationship, maybe a single earring. It's gold, or at least you think it is. So what's it actually worth?
Scrap gold pricing isn't a mystery. It's basic math once you understand the three variables: karat, weight, and spot price. Here's how it all works.
The three things that determine scrap gold value
1. Karat (purity). The karat stamp tells you what percentage of the piece is actual gold. Pure gold is 24K.
Most jewelry is not pure because pure gold is too soft for everyday wear.
- 24K = 99.9% gold
- 22K = 91.7% gold
- 18K = 75.0% gold
- 14K = 58.3% gold
- 10K = 41.7% gold
A 14K ring is 58.3% gold and 41.
7% other metals (usually copper, silver, or zinc). You're getting paid for the gold portion only.
2. Weight. Gold is weighed in troy ounces or grams. One troy ounce equals 31.
1 grams. Most scrap pieces are weighed in grams because they're small.
3. Spot price. This is the current market price for one troy ounce of pure gold. It changes throughout the day based on global trading.
You can check it online any time.
How to do the math
The formula is straightforward:
Value = Weight (in grams) x Karat purity percentage x Spot price per gram
To get the spot price per gram, divide the per-ounce price by 31.1.
Here's an example. Say you have a 14K chain that weighs 15 grams.
- Spot price per gram: take today's per-ounce gold price and divide by 31.1
- Gold content: 15 grams x 0.583 = 8.745 grams of pure gold
- Melt value: multiply 8.745 grams of pure gold by that spot price per gram
That's the full melt value. A gold buyer will pay a percentage of melt value because they have overhead costs and need to refine the gold. At Cash 4 Gold Trading Post, we pay competitive rates that you can compare against any dealer in New Jersey.
What counts as scrap gold
Scrap gold is any gold item being sold for its metal content rather than as a finished piece of jewelry. Common examples:
- Broken chains and bracelets
- Single earrings (the other one is long gone)
- Old wedding bands and engagement rings
- Bent or damaged rings
- Dental gold (crowns, bridges, caps)
- Gold watch cases (the movement inside is separate)
- Gold-filled pieces (worth less, but still worth something)
- Class rings
- Religious pendants and medallions
Condition does not matter for scrap. A broken 14K chain contains the same amount of gold as an intact one. Scratched, dented, or tangled, the gold content is identical.
Why testing matters more than stamps
Here's something most people don't realize: the karat stamp on your jewelry isn't always accurate.
Some older pieces were stamped incorrectly. Some imported jewelry is stamped higher than its actual purity.
Some pieces have been repaired with solder that has a different karat than the rest of the piece. And some items are gold-plated or gold-filled but look like solid gold.
This is why professional testing matters. At Cash 4 Gold Trading Post, we use XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzers.
This is a handheld device that shoots X-rays at the metal and reads back the exact composition in seconds. It tells us the precise percentage of gold, silver, copper, and other metals in your piece.
No scratching, no acid, no damage to your item.
XRF testing is the gold standard (no pun intended) in the industry. It removes guesswork and gives both you and the buyer confidence in the valuation.
How to estimate value at home
You can get a rough idea before visiting a dealer:
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Look for a karat stamp. Check inside rings, on clasps, on the back of pendants. Common stamps include 10K, 14K, 18K, 585 (14K in European marking), and 750 (18K).
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Weigh your items. A kitchen food scale that measures in grams will work. It won't be as precise as a calibrated dealer scale, but it gives you a ballpark.
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Check the spot price. Search "gold spot price" online. Use the per-ounce price.
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Do the math using the formula above.
Keep in mind this gives you the full melt value. Your actual payout will be a percentage of that number.
If a buyer is offering you a low percentage of melt, shop around. A competitive, transparent offer is a reasonable deal.
How to prepare for your visit
Gather everything. Check jewelry boxes, bathroom drawers, safes, old purses. Pull out anything that might be gold, even if you're not sure.
Don't clean anything. Cleaning doesn't affect gold value, and polishing can actually damage certain pieces that might have collector value beyond melt.
Separate if you can. If you can sort gold from silver and costume jewelry, it saves time. But if you're not sure what's what, bring it all and we'll sort it for you.
Bring a photo ID. New Jersey law requires identification for all precious metal transactions.
Know that you're not obligated. Getting a valuation is free at Cash 4 Gold Trading Post.
If you don't like the price, you take your gold and walk out. No pressure.
Where to sell scrap gold in NJ
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post has eight locations across central New Jersey:
- East Brunswick: 111 Main St Suite 9, (732) 898-6565
- New Brunswick: 51 Bayard St, (732) 543-1313
- Middlesex: 748 Bound Brook Rd, (732) 629-7600
- Millstone: 494 Monmouth Rd Suite 5, (732) 444-2022
- Brick: 921 Cedar Bridge Ave, (732) 444-2094
- Manalapan: 356 US-9 Unit 6, (732) 483-4145
Walk in any day Monday through Saturday. We weigh, test, and make you an offer on the spot.
If the number works, you leave with cash. If it doesn't, you leave with your gold.
Either way, you'll know exactly what your scrap gold is worth.
What Makes a Cash 4 Gold Trading Post Quote Transparent?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post quote transparency is a documented 5-step counter process used in 8 locations in 2026. First, our team shows live gold, silver, platinum, or coin market context. Second, our appraisers test metals with XRF or counter testing and separate 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, sterling, .999 bullion, diamonds, watches, and costume pieces. Third, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post weighs buyable metal on a certified scale. Fourth, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post checks whether coins, designer jewelry, diamonds, watches, or inherited pieces have value beyond melt. Fifth, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post explains the same-day written quote before the seller decides. According to Cash 4 Gold Trading Post store analysis, sellers in Aberdeen, Brick, East Brunswick, Farmingdale, Manalapan, Middlesex, Millstone, and New Brunswick can bring 1 broken chain, 100 coins, or a full estate box with a $0 evaluation fee.
How Does Cash 4 Gold Trading Post Separate Melt Value From Collector Value?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post separates melt value from collector value by sorting each lot before pricing. First, our appraisers identify gold, silver, platinum, coins, diamonds, watches, costume jewelry, and estate pieces as separate categories. Second, metal items are tested for purity, including 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, sterling silver, 90% U.S. silver, and .999 bullion. Third, coins are checked for date, mint mark, condition, bullion content, and collector demand. Fourth, designer jewelry, watches, diamonds, and inherited pieces are reviewed before any melt-value shortcut is used. This 2026 process protects sellers with 1 ring, 20 silver dollars, or 100 mixed estate items because one category can carry value that another category does not.
What Should a Seller Bring for a Fast Same-Day Quote?
Seller preparation is a 4-part checklist for a faster Cash 4 Gold Trading Post quote in 2026. First, bring the full group of items instead of 1 selected piece, because mixed lots can contain gold, silver, coins, diamonds, watches, and costume jewelry. Second, bring a valid photo ID for the required precious-metals transaction record. Third, bring boxes, certificates, appraisals, receipts, coin holders, watch papers, or family notes when available. Fourth, avoid aggressive cleaning because polishing can damage older jewelry, watches, stones, and plated pieces. Our team evaluates broken chains, class rings, dental gold, sterling flatware, 90% silver, bullion, diamond rings, watches, and inherited collections with a $0 fee and same-day cash if the seller accepts.
Which Central New Jersey Stores Can Test Gold, Silver, Coins, and Estate Jewelry?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post store coverage is a 8-location Central New Jersey network for gold, silver, coins, diamonds, watches, and estate jewelry testing. First, East Brunswick serves Old Bridge, South River, Spotswood, and Middlesex County sellers. Second, Middlesex serves Bound Brook, Dunellen, Piscataway, Green Brook, and South Plainfield. Third, Millstone serves Jackson, Freehold, Monroe, and western Monmouth County. Fourth, Manalapan serves Route 9 sellers from Marlboro, Englishtown, Freehold, Morganville, and Old Bridge. Fifth, New Brunswick serves Rutgers, Highland Park, Somerset, and downtown sellers. Sixth, Brick serves Ocean County and Jersey Shore sellers. Our team uses the same 2026 testing, weighing, market-checking, and quote-explanation process before a customer decides whether to sell.
Why Does Local Testing Beat an Online Calculator?
Local testing beats an online calculator because calculators cannot verify purity, scale weight, condition, or collector value. A gold calculator assumes a karat, a gram weight, and a market price. Cash 4 Gold Trading Post checks those assumptions at the counter. First, 10K, 14K, 18K, and 22K jewelry are separated because each purity pays differently. Second, sterling, 90% silver, .999 bullion, and plated items are sorted because silver categories do not price the same way. Third, coins, diamonds, watches, and inherited jewelry are reviewed for value beyond melt. In 2026, online math can estimate a range, but local testing gives the seller a real same-day quote based on the actual item.
Ready to Get Cash for Your Gold?
Visit any of our 8 Central NJ locations. No appointment needed. Free appraisal, instant cash payment.