Published Mar 8, 2026 · Updated Oct 7, 2026
14K Gold Price Per Gram Today
As of October 7, 2026, 14K gold is worth $76.82 per gram in melt value, derived from the live spot price of $4,098.19 per troy ounce. 14K is the most common gold karat in American jewelry — if you own a gold ring, chain, or bracelet bought in the US, there’s a good chance it’s 14K.
What “14K” Actually Means
14 karat means 14 parts gold out of 24 — 58.3% pure gold, with the remaining 41.7% made up of alloy metals (usually copper, silver, zinc, or nickel). The alloy is what gives 14K its durability for everyday wear; pure 24K gold is too soft for rings and clasps.
How to identify it: look for a “585” stamp (meaning 58.5% gold) or “14K”/”14KT” marking on the inner band of rings, clasps of chains, or the back of pendants. European pieces may show “585” alone.
14K Gold Value Reference (October 7, 2026)
| Weight | Melt value at $76.82/g |
|---|---|
| 1 gram | $76.82 |
| 5 grams (typical ring) | $384.08 |
| 10 grams | $768.16 |
| 20 grams (typical chain) | $1,536.32 |
| 31.1035 grams (1 troy oz of 14K) | $2,389.25 |
| 1 pennyweight (1.555 g) | $119.45 |
Illustrative values from the October 7, 2026 spot price. Prices move daily.
What Common 14K Items Are Worth
Illustrative examples using October 7, 2026 pricing:
- Men’s wedding band (8 g): 8 × $76.82 = $612.53 melt
- Women’s engagement ring, plain band (4 g): 4 × $76.82 = $307.26 melt (stones valued separately)
- Rope chain (20 g): 20 × $76.82 = $1,536.32 melt
- Charm bracelet (15 g): 15 × $76.82 = $1,152.24 melt
What Buyers Actually Pay Per Gram for 14K
Melt value is the ceiling. Here’s what the $76.82/gram melt typically becomes in real offers:
| Buyer type | Typical % of melt | Per gram received |
|---|---|---|
| Online gold buyer | 85–95% | $65.29–$72.98 |
| Local coin dealer | 80–90% | $61.45–$69.14 |
| Pawn shop | 50–70% | $38.41–$53.77 |
A 20-gram 14K chain ($1,536.32 melt) might fetch $1,305–$1,460 from a good online buyer — or under $920 at a pawn shop. Same chain, same day.
How to Verify Your Gold Is Really 14K
- Find the stamp — 585, 14K, or 14KT.
- Acid test — a jeweler applies 14K testing acid to a small scratch; if it dissolves, the piece is under-karat. Costs a few dollars, takes a minute.
- Electronic test — many coin shops test in front of you with a Sigma Metalytics-style verifier.
- Watch for plating — heavy “14K” stamps on suspiciously light pieces can mean gold plating over base metal. If a magnet sticks strongly, be skeptical (gold is non-magnetic).
14K vs. Other Karats (Per Gram, Oct 7, 2026)
| Karat | Purity | Price per gram |
|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.7% | $54.94 |
| 14K | 58.3% | $76.82 |
| 18K | 75.0% | $98.82 |
| 22K | 91.7% | $120.78 |
| 24K | 99.9% | $131.63 |
14K Gold Price History (Per Gram)
Approximate yearly average melt values for 14K gold:
| Year | 14K price per gram (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | ~$33.18 |
| 2021 | ~$33.72 |
| 2022 | ~$33.74 |
| 2023 | ~$36.39 |
| 2024 | ~$44.78 |
| 2025 | ~$62.79 |
| Oct 2026 | $76.82 |
Approximate figures for context. A 20-gram 14K chain worth roughly $664 in melt value in 2020 is worth about $1,536 today — which is why old appraisals and insurance valuations go stale fast.
14K Yellow, White, and Rose Gold: Same Value?
Yes — the melt value is identical. The color comes from the alloy mix, not the gold content:
- Yellow gold: alloyed with copper and silver — the classic look
- White gold: alloyed with nickel or palladium — often rhodium-plated for brightness
- Rose gold: higher copper content — the pink tint
A 14K white gold ring and a 14K yellow gold ring of equal weight contain the same 58.3% gold and have the same melt value. (Rhodium plating adds negligible value.) Don’t let anyone pay you less for white or rose gold on purity grounds.
14K vs. 18K: Which Holds Value Better?
Per gram, 18K ($98.82) is worth about 29% more than 14K ($76.82) at current prices — it simply contains more gold. But 14K dominates the US market because it’s harder, more scratch-resistant, and cheaper to buy. For selling purposes the comparison barely matters: each karat is priced exactly by its gold content, no more, no less. The “better” karat is just the one you happen to own.
What Affects Your 14K Payout Beyond the Spot Price
Two sellers with identical 14K rings can get different offers. Beyond the spot price, these eat into payouts:
- Stone weight deductions. A 6-gram ring with a 1-carat diamond (0.2 g) is really 5.8 g of gold — but some buyers deduct more aggressively. Remove stones beforehand when possible.
- Solder and repairs. Sizing solder is base metal. Heavy repairs can shave a few percent off the assessed gold weight.
- Wear. Thin, worn shanks weigh less than spec — the scale doesn’t lie, but your memory of “it was 8 grams” might.
- Assay variance. Acid tests read in karat bands; electronic testers are more precise. If a buyer’s test reads your 14K as 13.5K, that’s a ~4% haircut — get a second test.
When 14K Jewelry Is Worth More Than Melt
Not every 14K piece should be sold as scrap. Check these first:
- Designer signatures (Tiffany, Cartier, David Yurman) — resale can be 2–5× melt
- Antique or Art Deco pieces — collector markets pay for craftsmanship
- Heavy, hand-made items — intricate work carries artisan value
Quick rule: search eBay sold listings for comparable pieces. If sold prices beat your melt calculation by 30%+, sell it as jewelry, not scrap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is 14K gold worth per gram today?
$76.82 per gram melt value as of October 7, 2026. Expect buyer offers of roughly $61–$73 per gram depending on the buyer.
What does 585 mean on gold?
585 is the millesimal stamp for 14K gold — 585 parts per thousand pure gold (58.5%).
Is 14K gold real gold?
Yes. It’s 58.3% pure gold alloyed for strength. It’s also the most popular karat for US jewelry.
How much is a 14K gold ring worth?
A plain 5-gram 14K band is worth about $384 in melt value at current prices. Stones add separate value.
Should I sell my 14K jewelry now?
With gold near $4,098/oz, melt values are historically high. If the pieces sit unworn, selling into strength is reasonable — get three quotes first.
How can I tell if my 14K jewelry is solid or hollow?
Pick it up — hollow chains and bangles feel suspiciously light for their size. Look inside clasps and bails for darker interior metal. Hollow pieces contain less gold than their size suggests, so always go by scale weight, never by appearance.
Does 14K gold tarnish?
The alloy metals can dull slightly over years, especially in humidity. It’s surface-level: a jeweler’s polish restores the shine, and it doesn’t change the gold content or melt value one cent.
Do I owe tax when I sell 14K jewelry?
Gains on gold held over a year face up to 28% federal collectibles tax. Keep purchase records to establish your cost basis.
