If you are looking to make some cash and have jewelry pieces you don't wear, you may consider selling your gold. This precious metal consistently maintains a high value even when other assets like stocks are volatile. The guide below offers advice for understanding your pieces' worth and locating a reputable gold buyer.

What to Do Before Selling Your Gold

1. Understand How Gold Is Valued

Gold is valued by weight. However, unlike many other materials, it’s generally measured using either a unit called the Troy ounce or a pennyweight. For reference, a standard U.S. scale measures 28 grams per ounce. Gold is 31.1 grams per Troy ounce. One pennyweight equals 1.555 grams.

2. Know Your Karats

Since pure gold is too soft to craft into jewelry, watches, antiques, and other goods, it's usually combined with alloys, or other metals, to enhance strength. Any gold jewelry sold in the United States is required to include information about karats. A single karat is equal to 1/24 of pure gold. If you have a piece of jewelry that is 14 karats, that means that it's 14 parts gold compared to 10 parts other metals.

3. Check the Current Market Value

Before you take your gold to be valued, check the current market price online. Make a note of this so that you can verify any information provided by the gold buyer to ensure they are offering you a fair price. You can also visit several locations to compare estimates, which is recommended. 

4. Find a Reputable Gold Buyer

When looking for someone to sell your gold to, prioritize businesses that are accredited with the Better Business Bureau® (BBB) and have encouraging online reviews, since this represents positive customer experiences. If the jewelry piece also contains other valuable elements—such as a diamond or other gemstone—opting for a jewelry store is likely to fetch you a higher price because they have a need for your pieces.

For a reputable gold buyer in Mesa, AZ, trust Nelson Estate Jewelers. These professionals will take your unused or unwanted jewelry pieces in trade or purchase them outright at the fairest possible price. They offer free inspections and verbal appraisals, giving you honest and fast feedback on what your gold valuables are worth. For questions, call (480) 459-9867. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings. Read satisfied client reviews on Google.