Pricing
How Much Is My Gold Worth in Houston?
Three numbers decide your payout: the karat of the piece, its weight in grams, and the live gold spot price at the moment you sell. Here is the exact math we run at the counter.
Published · Gold King, Houston TX
Step 1 — Find the karat
Karat is the purity of the gold. Most jewelry is stamped inside a ring band or on a chain clasp. If the stamp is worn off, an electronic tester or an acid test settles it in under a minute, and we always do that in front of you.
- 10K = 41.7% gold
- 14K = 58.3% gold
- 18K = 75.0% gold
- 21K = 87.5% gold
- 22K = 91.6% gold
- 24K = 99.9% gold
Step 2 — Weigh it in grams
Gold is bought by weight, not by how big a piece looks. Hollow chains and lightweight bangles can look substantial and still weigh only a few grams. A legal-for-trade scale is the only number that matters, and Texas requires buyers to weigh in front of the customer.
Stones, clasps and non-gold findings do not count toward gold weight. If a ring holds a diamond, the stone is valued separately.
Step 3 — Apply the live spot price
Gold trades on a global market that moves every second. The formula is simple: (spot price per gram) x (karat purity) x (grams) = the pure gold content value of your item. A buyer's offer is a percentage of that figure, and the percentage should be told to you before you agree to anything.
Example: 20 grams of 14K gold at a $75/gram spot price works out to 20 x 0.583 x $75 = $874.50 of gold content.
What raises your payout
Some items are worth more than their melt value. Designer pieces, intact Rolex and luxury watches, investment coins and bullion are all priced on the collector or resale market instead, which is usually higher than scrap.
- Signed designer jewelry in wearable condition
- Gold coins and bullion bars with recognizable mint marks
- Luxury watches with box and papers
- Larger lots — one appraisal, one payout
Getting an honest number in Houston
The fastest way to know what your gold is worth is a free, no-obligation appraisal. Bring everything you're considering selling — rings, chains, single earrings, dental gold, class rings you no longer wear — and let a buyer test and weigh it while you watch.
Gold King has bought gold from Houston families since 2008 at 6809 Southwest Freeway, open daily 10:00 AM to 8:45 PM. Walk in with photo ID, as required by Texas law for precious metal purchases, and walk out with cash the same visit. Call 713-997-0875 with questions before you come in.
Ready to sell? Gold King buys these items in Houston every day — sell gold in Houston, cash for gold in Houston, jewelry buyer in Houston and sell bullion in Houston. Every appraisal is free, and payment is cash on the spot.
Keep reading
These Gold King guides cover the same subject from different angles:
- EducationHow Gold Buyers Test Gold (What to Watch For)See exactly how a reputable Houston gold buyer verifies karat and purity, from hallmarks and magnets to XRF and acid testing.
- PricingGold Melt Value Explained: How It's CalculatedHow gold melt value is calculated, why it's the floor price for scrap gold, and when a piece is worth more than its melt value.
- PricingHouston Gold Price Guide: What Sets Your PayoutHow Houston gold buyers price jewelry and scrap, why offers vary store to store, and how to compare quotes near Southwest Freeway.
- EducationWhat Determines Gold Value? Full BreakdownLearn the market and item-specific factors — spot price, karat, weight, and craftsmanship — that determine what your gold is worth.
- Pricing10K Gold Value Guide: Worth, Stamps & SellingWhat 10K gold is really worth per gram, how to spot its hallmarks, and why class rings and school jewelry sell differently than other karats.
- Pricing14K Gold Value Guide: Worth, Stamps & Selling14K gold value explained: purity math, common American chains and wedding bands, hallmark stamps, and what to expect when you sell.
Selling from outside central Houston? We buy from Houston, Bellaire and West University Place customers every week.
Start at the Gold King homepage for everything we buy, or contact our Houston store for a free appraisal and a same-day cash offer.
Questions about this guide
- Do I need to clean my gold before selling it?
- No. Cleaning does not change the karat or weight, and it will not change your offer. Bring items exactly as they are, including broken and tangled pieces.
- Is broken gold worth less than intact gold?
- No. Scrap gold is valued on karat and weight, so a snapped chain is worth the same per gram as a wearable one.
- How fast can I get paid in Houston?
- Testing and weighing takes a few minutes. If you accept the offer, you are paid in cash on the spot at our Southwest Freeway store.
- What if I don't know the karat of my gold?
- That's normal. We test every item with an electronic tester or acid test in front of you, free of charge, before making an offer.