10k gold purity question...

jmj3esq

I have some 10 k gold lying around (mostly old rings) an am wondering what the melt value would be. What is the purity of 10 k gold? Im guessing maybe 80%. All I know is that its a lot harder than pure gold. Any help would be appreciated.

100proof1957

24 k is pure

10k is round 41 %

24 is too soft for jewelry

jmj3esq

41% is disappointing. I guess I will keep my rings.

BoggledMind

Pure gold is 24k, so 10k is 10/24th pure. That's equal to 41.67% pure. If the ring weights 10 grams, then only 41.67 of that ring is pure, which is equal to 4.167 grams of pure gold. That much gold is 0.133955 troy oucnes, and the current spot for troy ounce of gold (going by that PCGS main page) is $554.50. So, that ammount times 0.133955 equals $74.28 for a 10 gram ring that is 10k gold.

100proof1957

Even 20 Saints are only 900 fine,but they weigh more than an ounce.

BoggledMind

The St. Gaudens gold $20 coins weigh 33.436 grams, and are indeed 900 fine (90% pure). That gives a weight of 30.0924 grams pure gold, which is equal to 0.9674465861 troy ounces of 24k gold (even though the coin itself is 21.6k).

jmj3esq

Thanks for the info. it has helped greatly.

Cladiator

<< <i>24 is too soft for jewelry >>

This is generally true for North America and Europe. However, alot if not most of the jewelry that is made in Asia (Middle East to Orient) is in fact 24K gold. That part of the world makes excellent jewelry, often very ornate and they favor pure gold by far. While it is incredibly soft compared to other metals it does still make workable jewelry and is not uncommon.

100proof1957

Re phrase

24 K is too soft for jewelry to wear everyday

it just wears out too fast.

Cladiator

Exactomundo! Much of the 24K jewelry I've seen is not for every day wear. It's more for special occasions, perhaps a handfull of times a year.

100proof1957

24 k might be ok for a brooch or pendant.

Not for a ring if you work with your hands

Weiss

<< <i>

<< <i>24 is too soft for jewelry >>

This is generally true for North America and Europe. However, alot if not most of the jewelry that is made in Asia (Middle East to Orient) is in fact 24K gold. That part of the world makes excellent jewelry, often very ornate and they favor pure gold by far. While it is incredibly soft compared to other metals it does still make workable jewelry and is not uncommon. >>



Yep. I think the "too soft for jewelry" line is something started by the American jewelry manufacturers in the early 20th century.

I mean think about it: We as coin collectors know better than most that gold coins have been made for thousands of years, and the vast majority have been at least 90% pure. And what would you say gets more abuse: A coin in circulation, or a woman's necklace?

Americans wear 14k and think that it's gold, when in fact it's only 58.3% gold. As I understand it, europeans don't generally wear anything less than 18k, which is 75% pure.

But most of Asia, including India, wouldn't consider anything less than 22k (91.6% pure) "gold".

100proof1957

dont forget that gold hasnt circulated in the US for over 70 years

PerryHall

Here's an interesting fact---Its against Federal Trade Commission rules to call anything less than 10K "gold".

JDelage

<< <i>Here's an interesting fact---Its against Federal Trade Commission rules to call anything less than 10K "gold". >>



Well, you'd hope so. After all, there's less gold in that than the other alloying element. In fact, it's a scandal that anything with less than 100% or 90% be ever cold gold. I can't think of any other metal for which this is done.

AU58WALKERS

10k scrap is usualy bought at .395, very rarely is 10k a full 10k, thus the edge by buyers of scrap.

EDITED TO ADD...14k is usualy bought at .5575 for the same reason.
14k P (plum)
10k p is a full 10k or 14k ... thats the law

PerryHall

<< <i>

<< <i>Here's an interesting fact---Its against Federal Trade Commission rules to call anything less than 10K "gold". >>



Well, you'd hope so. After all, there's less gold in that than the other alloying element. In fact, it's a scandal that anything with less than 100% or 90% be ever cold gold. I can't think of any other metal for which this is done. >>



Its to prevent con men from selling 8K gold to the gullible. If the government didn't disallow it, you know someone would try it.

Conder101

<< <i>I can't think of any other metal for which this is done. >>


How about nickel silver or German silver which contains no silver and is in fact mostly copper? And there are some alloys of stainless steel that contain very little iron. Silver alloys are usually called silver until they drop below .500 fine at which point they are refered to as billon.

slipgate

20/20 or one of those type shows did a special last year on low grade gold. They went out and bought it from various places and then sent it to their labs to be tested. I remember most (all?) of it came back below the stamped 10k. Some was like 7k and maybe even less - I think a few even were just gold plated.

This makes sense when you take into account the market that that gold is alloyed for.

When I buy my wife jewelry, I always try to get 18k or better and stick with a reputable seller like BB&B. You'd be surprised at how hard it is to find 18k!

If I remember correctly, a Canadien maple leaf is the purest form of gold at almost 100% gold (24k) - I think current US gold coins are 22 k.

JDelage

<< <i>When I buy my wife jewelry, I always try to get 18k or better and stick with a reputable seller like BB&B. You'd be surprised at how hard it is to find 18k! >>



You buy your wife jewelry at Bed, Bath & Beyond???

ebaytrader

<< <i>10k scrap is usualy bought at .395, very rarely is 10k a full 10k, thus the edge by buyers of scrap.

EDITED TO ADD...14k is usualy bought at .5575 for the same reason.
14k P (plum)
10k p is a full 10k or 14k ... thats the law >>





Is this an offer to buy?

I have a couple hundred dwt to go Monday a.m. and will take your price.