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, XRF testing — our standard method — settles it quickly, with an acid test as additional verification where appropriate, 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. An accurate scale reading is the only number that matters, and a reputable buyer weighs 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 gold 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 Monday–Thursday 9:30 AM–7:00 PM, Friday–Saturday 9:30 AM–8:00 PM and Sunday 12:00–7:00 PM. Walk in with photo ID, and if you accept the offer you're paid the same visit, by cash or another payment method. 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 sellers can choose from multiple payment options.
Questions about your item, or want a free in-person evaluation at 6809 Southwest Freeway, Houston?
Call Gold King at 713-997-0875Keep reading
These Gold King guides cover the same subject from different angles:
- EducationFree XRF Gold Testing Houston | How Gold Is TestedGet free XRF gold testing in Houston at Gold King. See how non-destructive XRF compares with acid and electronic testing for gold, silver and platinum.
- 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 an offer, with multiple payment options.
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?
- Not for plain gold. Scrap gold is generally valued on karat and weight, so a snapped chain contains the same gold per gram as a wearable one of the same karat. Designer, gem-set or collectible pieces are different, because condition affects their resale value.
- How fast can I get paid in Houston?
- Testing and weighing takes a few minutes. If you accept the offer, you are paid on the spot at our Southwest Freeway store, by cash or another available payment method.
- What if I don't know the karat of my gold?
- That's normal. We test every item in front of you, free of charge, before making an offer. Gold King uses XRF testing and acid testing to help evaluate precious-metal content and identify potentially counterfeit materials. The appropriate testing method depends on the item being evaluated. When acid testing is proposed as an alternative to XRF testing, customer approval is required.