Summary:
The Scientific Process: How We Test Gold and Precious Metals
The first step is making sure your item is actually gold through visual inspection, looking for stamps that indicate purity like 10K or 18K gold. But we don’t stop there.
We use magnet tests to determine if gold is real, then perform acid tests to determine exact purity levels. Acid testing involves making a small scratch on a testing stone and applying different acid solutions to gauge karat level – each acid reacts differently depending on gold content.
For more precise readings, we use electronic gold testers that provide instant, accurate purity readings by sending controlled electrical current through the metal. This technology gives us exact karat values without damaging your item.
Weight and Measurement: The Foundation of Value
We use very accurate, calibrated scales to weigh your gold based on the troy measurement system, because getting accurate weight is critical for fair payment. Gold is weighed by troy ounce or gram using scales that can measure down to 1/100th of a gram.
This precision matters more than you might think. Pure 24K gold contains 28.3495 grams per ounce, but most jewelry isn’t pure gold – about 90% of wedding rings in the United States contain 14K gold, which is only 58.3% pure gold.
Understanding this calculation is crucial. If gold is $60 per gram for 24K, then 14K gold would be $34.98 per gram, meaning a 5-gram ring would have gold content worth $174.90. However, we can’t pay current market price because we need to make money, jewelry can be risky to deal with, takes time to sell, and gold prices can drop at any moment.
The reality is that many pawn shops send jewelry to be melted down, and smelters typically charge up to 30% of gold value to melt and purify gold for further use. This affects the final offer you receive, but understanding this helps set realistic expectations.
Market Factors That Influence Your Gold's Worth
We use very accurate, calibrated scales to weigh your gold based on the troy measurement system, because getting accurate weight is critical for fair payment. Gold is weighed by troy ounce or gram using scales that can measure down to 1/100th of a gram.
This precision matters more than you might think. Pure 24K gold contains 28.3495 grams per ounce, but most jewelry isn’t pure gold – about 90% of wedding rings in the United States contain 14K gold, which is only 58.3% pure gold.
Understanding this calculation is crucial. If gold is $60 per gram for 24K, then 14K gold would be $34.98 per gram, meaning a 5-gram ring would have gold content worth $174.90. However, we can’t pay current market price because we need to make money, jewelry can be risky to deal with, takes time to sell, and gold prices can drop at any moment.
The reality is that many pawn shops send jewelry to be melted down, and smelters typically charge up to 30% of gold value to melt and purify gold for further use. This affects the final offer you receive, but understanding this helps set realistic expectations.
Evaluating Jewelry: Beyond Just the Metal
One of the first things we do is determine the composition of your jewelry – the kind of metal and current demand significantly influences value. Yellow gold reaps the highest profits because it’s the purest, while rose, green, and white gold are considered less valuable, with purity measured in karats from 9K to 24K.
The karat level makes a significant difference – a 14k piece contains about 58.5% gold while 18k contains 75%, and these purity differences significantly impact valuation. In fact, 24K gold is generally twice as expensive as its 14K counterpart.
But jewelry evaluation goes far beyond just the metal content. When gold is presented as jewelry, we also evaluate design and craftsmanship – intricate designs, precious gemstones, and historical significance can all contribute to overall worth, adding complexity to the valuation process.
Gemstones and Diamonds: The Four C's Matter
If jewelry has stones, they influence value significantly – precious stones like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are most sought-after, while semi-precious stones including pearl, amethyst, jade, and turquoise also affect value based on weight and color, with one large heavy stone potentially worth more than several smaller ones.
Unlike gold, diamonds have no intrinsic value – diamond value is based on the four C’s: Clarity, Color, Cut, and Carat weight. When looking for diamond appraisal, most customers want a pawnbroker familiar with grading criteria like cut quality, carat weight, clarity, and whether the stone is natural or lab-grown – GIA certified diamonds carry more trust in the market, but even uncertified stones can hold considerable value if visually appealing and structurally sound.
We visually inspect jewelry, checking for stamps indicating metal purity like “14K” for gold or “925” for silver, while considering gemstone color, clarity, and carat weight. We may use acids or electronic testers to confirm metal purity authenticity, and magnification instruments with specialized gemological procedures to determine if gemstones are genuine.
Additional factors determining jewelry value include craftsmanship, condition, make, and history – pieces owned by notable people or designed by renowned jewelry designers can fetch more because of those associations. This is why we don’t appraise gold and diamonds strictly based on weight and clarity – we understand how valuable precious estate jewelry can be and give true value offers on every piece.
Luxury Watch Valuation: Brand, Condition, and Authenticity
The pawn value of luxury watches in 2025 largely depends on brand reputation, condition, and authenticity – recognized brands with strong heritage command higher values, while condition plays a critical role with timepieces in excellent or near-new condition consistently attracting better offers, and rare models plus limited editions securing premium valuations due to exclusivity and demand.
When it comes to luxury watches, Rolex continues to reign supreme with an impressive 32% share of the Swiss market, making it the go-to brand in pawn shops with an average retail price of $14,978 – models like the Submariner are especially popular due to iconic design and steady resale demand, while the Day-Date is known for its presidential bracelet and precious metals use.
We evaluate a watch’s worth based on potential resale price, operating costs, and associated risks, so keeping your watch in pristine condition can significantly impact the amount we offer. To maximize your pawn offer, preparation is key – presenting your watch with original documentation, accessories, and ensuring it’s cleaned and well-maintained can make a substantial difference, as keeping everything that came with it including original parts, paperwork, receipts, and packaging can greatly boost its appraisal.
Gold-backed pawn loans have risen 31% globally, offering added value for luxury watches with gold components by combining brand prestige with the intrinsic value of gold. The economic landscape of 2025 impacts pawn values with luxury watch market growth maintaining strong demand, though short-term market corrections could cause temporary valuation changes, while factors like inflation, consumer spending shifts, and global economic changes also determine pawn offers.
Getting the Best Value: What You Need to Know
Understanding how pawn shops value gold, silver, and diamonds helps you negotiate smarter and walk away with a fair deal – while each shop’s offer may vary slightly, the process is rooted in tangible appraisal metrics and marketplace demand, so bring items clean, organized, and with any supporting paperwork like GIA certifications or receipts.
If you’re selling jewelry to a pawn shop, it’s important to have an accurate understanding of its current condition, as this helps us determine its true value. For both jewelry and loose stones, condition makes a big difference – tarnish, chips, bent prongs, or missing stones reduce value, while vintage pieces with worn clasps might still appraise decently for metal weight but won’t command a premium.
At Gold Coast Jewelry & Pawn, we’ve built our reputation on transparency and fair dealing. Our loyal customers return because they enjoy confidential, private service from our courteous, knowledgeable staff – we understand that taking a loan or selling a precious item isn’t always easy, so discretion is of utmost importance, and your treasured item will never be removed from your sight during appraisal. Whether you’re looking to understand your item’s value or need quick cash, Gold Coast Jewelry & Pawn provides the expertise and trustworthy service Long Island has relied on for nearly a century.
