The gold price on the news is the price of one troy ounce of pure, raw 24K gold. Jewelry is almost never pure gold, and it is not raw: it has been alloyed, shaped, linked, polished, set and finished. So a piece's price starts with its gold content and then adds the work that turned metal into jewelry.
What goes into the price of a gold piece?
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Gold content: karat times weight. 14K is 58.5% gold, 10K is 41.7%, 18K is 75%. A 20-gram 14K chain holds about 11.7 grams of pure gold.
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Labor and making: machine-made chains cost less to make than handmade links, hand-cut nameplates or stone setting.
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Design and finish: diamond-cut faces, two-tone work and custom lettering all take extra steps.
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Stones: diamonds and gemstones are priced separately from the metal.
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Service: sizing, warranty, repairs and being able to walk in and talk to someone.
Why does the gold price move?
Gold trades globally every day. Its price moves with interest rates, the value of the dollar, inflation worries and world events, when people buy gold as a safe place for money. Jewelers' costs follow those moves, so jewelry prices can change over time too.
How do I compare prices fairly?
Compare the same karat, the same weight in grams, solid versus hollow, and the same style. Two "14K Cuban chains" can be very different pieces. Our post Why Two Gold Chains That Look the Same Cost Different walks through it.
Is buying gold jewelry the same as investing in gold?
No. Jewelry is something to wear and enjoy. Because its price includes labor and design, it is not the same as buying gold bullion. If you have investment questions, talk to a financial professional.
Ask us for the numbers
Ask us the karat and weight of any piece and we will tell you. Visit 260 Main St, Orange, NJ, or call or text (973) 673-3800. Browse gold chains.
Why Gold Jewelry Costs More Than the Gold Price
The gold price on the news is the price of one troy ounce of pure, raw 24K gold. Jewelry is almost never pure gold, and it is not raw: it has been alloyed, shaped, linked, polished, set and finished. So a piece's price starts with its gold content and then adds the work that turned metal into jewelry.
What goes into the price of a gold piece?
Why does the gold price move?
Gold trades globally every day. Its price moves with interest rates, the value of the dollar, inflation worries and world events, when people buy gold as a safe place for money. Jewelers' costs follow those moves, so jewelry prices can change over time too.
How do I compare prices fairly?
Compare the same karat, the same weight in grams, solid versus hollow, and the same style. Two "14K Cuban chains" can be very different pieces. Our post Why Two Gold Chains That Look the Same Cost Different walks through it.
Is buying gold jewelry the same as investing in gold?
No. Jewelry is something to wear and enjoy. Because its price includes labor and design, it is not the same as buying gold bullion. If you have investment questions, talk to a financial professional.
Ask us for the numbers
Ask us the karat and weight of any piece and we will tell you. Visit 260 Main St, Orange, NJ, or call or text (973) 673-3800. Browse gold chains.