Where To Get Affordable Solid Gold Jewelry
why pay insane markups when you don't have to?
This year's wardrobe goal is to wear what I have, but I'm finding that some of the pieces in my closet don't make me happy to wear them. I reach for them less and less, or because I don't have anything else that serves the same purpose.
One of these things is my jewelry. Most of my jewelry is costume or gold plated and has seen better days. I still put them on every day because I don't have any other jewelry to choose from, but I want to change that. I've been thinking of my wardrobe as an investment. I want pieces that will have a good resale value if I take care of them and want to part ways with them one day.
I don't mind picking up a gold plated piece from time to time if it's cute or unique, but I don't want my every day pieces to be gold plated, filled, or vermeil. All of those eventually tarnish even if you're meticulous about caring for them. Tarnishing happens when your gold plated, filled, or vermeil jewelry is exposed to any kind of moisture. Water, sweat, humidity...any of those over time will make your jewelry look worn out. Silver also tarnishes for these same reasons, but we're talking about gold today.
As with most things in life, the good stuff costs more. However, you don't always have to pay insane markups.
How To Not Overpay For Gold Jewelry
You can find solid gold jewelry in a lot of places, both online and off. You'll see a variety of prices and claims of cutting out the middle man to give you the best deal, but how do you KNOW it's a good deal? Understanding the nuances of gold purity is crucial for making an informed decision that balances what you aesthetically desire, your practical needs from your jewelry, and your budget constraints. Each karat level offers a unique combination of gold content, durability, color, and value, making the selection process a mix of an art and a science.
You need to know what you're buying to have a good idea if you're being taken advantage of or being offered a deal too good to pass up.
What's The Difference Between 10k vs 14k vs 18k Gold?
You need to know what you're buying when you're looking for investment or heirloom jewelry, which solid gold jewelry certainly is. Some of the most common types of gold jewelry are 10 karat, 14 karat, 18 karat, and 24 karat. The karat number tells you how pure the gold is. 10K is 41.7% pure gold, 14K is 58.3% pure gold, 18K gold is 75% pure, and 24K gold is 99.99% pure. In short, the higher the karat number, the purer the gold is in the piece. This is why 24K gold is more yellow than 10K and is worth more.
Which Karat Level Is Best for Gold Jewelry?
The best karat level for your gold jewelry is mostly a personal choice. Do you want something more durable and scratch-resistant, or do you want something that will be worth more? Do you want to pay the least amount possible, or are you okay spending some pretty major coin? I'll break down the pros and cons of each gold karat level to help you make the best choice for you and your budget.
10K Gold
Pros:
Most affordable gold option
Extremely durable and resistant to scratching
Best for everyday wear and active lifestyles
Most budget-friendly
Cons:
Least pure gold content (41.7% pure gold)
Less vibrant gold color
May cause skin irritation for those with metal sensitivities due to alloys mixed in
Less valuable compared to higher karat levels
14K Gold
Pros:
Balanced mix of purity and durability (58.3% pure gold)
More affordable than higher karat levels
Resistant to scratching and tarnishing
Popular for engagement rings and wedding bands
Good color and shine
Less likely to cause skin irritation
Cons:
Less pure than 18K or 24K
Slightly less vibrant gold color
Not as valuable as higher karat levels
18K Gold
Pros:
Higher gold purity (75% pure gold)
Rich, deep gold color
More valuable
Softer and more malleable for intricate designs
Less likely to cause skin irritation
Cons:
More expensive
Less durable than 10K or 14K
More prone to scratching
May bend or deform more easily
24K Gold
Pros:
Highest gold purity (99.9%+ pure gold)
Most valuable
Richest, most vibrant gold color
Hypoallergenic
Cons:
Extremely soft and easily scratched
Not practical for everyday jewelry
Easily deforms
Most expensive
Not recommended for rings or pieces that experience frequent wear
For most jewelry, 14K gold offers the best balance between durability, appearance, and price. It's particularly good for engagement rings, wedding bands, and everyday jewelry. If you prioritize color and are willing to be more careful with your jewelry, 18K is a great option. 10K is best for those on a tight budget or needing extremely durable pieces, while 24K is more suitable for investment pieces or decorative items rather than wearable jewelry.
What To Look for When Buying Gold Jewelry Online
The simplest way to determine if the price of a gold piece you want is to take the price of the item and divide it by its weight in grams. You're trying to figure out what they're charging per gram of the necklace, set of earrings, bracelet, or whatever you're buying. Then you'll want to do a quick search of the current price of a gram of the karat level of gold the piece is made from and compare the two numbers. If there's way too much room between the going price of gold in grams and what they're charging, don't buy it. If you're at a shop in person, you may be able to talk them down to a lower price by tastefully demonstrating that you know they're trying to take you for a ride.
Examples help, so I have a couple for you. Let's say you're shopping for a 14K gold bracelet and it's priced at $300 and weighs 1.9 grams. $300 divided by 1.9 equals $157.89. As of publishing, the price of 14K gold is about $55 per gram. They're charging a 300% markup and that's ridiculous. You shouldn't expect to pay $55 per gram of 14K gold, but $150 is wild behavior. Hard pass.
Now let's say you're shopping for a pair of 14K gold earrings priced at $120 and they weigh 1.2 total grams. $115 divided by 1.2 is $95.83. At $55 per gram, this is less than 100% markup, so it's much better than the 300% markup on the bracelet. I'd like for this to be a little lower—maybe around $80 per gram, but this price isn't bad. You can't reasonably expect to pay the spot price (what the price per gram is) because someone had to take that gold and make it into jewelry. Their labor matters, and they should be compensated for that. Even when buying secondhand, the seller has to go through the trouble of listing the piece for sale and creating a platform to sell it on. They should be compensated for that too, just not at an unreasonable markup.
If you're shopping online and the gram weight isn't listed, ask for it. If the shop or seller won't tell you, it's a hard pass. If you're shopping in person, they should know the weight or be able to produce a scale to show you its weight.
Best Places to Get Solid Gold Jewelry
Since I’ve been on the hunt for pieces to add to my collection, I’ve kept a running list of where I’ve found the best cost per gram. Some of these places require you to do a little digging, and all of them make you do some basic math on the cost per gram, but these are where you can get solid gold jewelry without paying an insane markup.