If you have gold jewellery sitting in a drawer, you have probably wondered what it is actually worth. With gold prices near all-time highs in New Zealand dollars, your old rings, chains, bracelets, and earrings could be worth more than you think.
The value of gold jewellery depends on three things: the weight of the piece, the purity (carat) of the gold, and the current market price. Let us walk through each one.
Understanding Gold Carats
Gold purity is measured in carats. Pure gold is 24 carat (24ct), but pure gold is too soft for everyday jewellery. Most gold jewellery sold in New Zealand is 9ct, which contains 37.5% pure gold. Other common purities include 14ct (58.5% gold), 18ct (75% gold), and 22ct (91.7% gold).
The carat of your jewellery is usually stamped somewhere on the piece. Look for numbers like 375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct), or 916 (22ct). These numbers represent the parts per thousand of pure gold in the alloy.
A 9ct gold ring and an 18ct gold ring of the same weight will have very different values, because the 18ct ring contains exactly twice as much pure gold.
How Weight Affects Value
Gold is valued by weight, measured in grams. A heavier piece contains more gold, so it is worth more. Even small items like single earrings or thin chains have value, because gold is expensive per gram.
When we assess your jewellery, we weigh each item on calibrated digital scales and calculate the pure gold content based on its carat. For example, a 10-gram 9ct chain contains 3.75 grams of pure gold.
The Current Gold Price in New Zealand
Gold is traded on international markets 24 hours a day. The price fluctuates constantly, but as of early 2026, gold is trading near record highs in New Zealand dollars.
We base our offers on the live international gold price at the time of your appointment. This means your quote reflects the real market value, not an arbitrary figure. We show you the live price and explain exactly how we calculate the offer.
A Worked Example
Say you have a 9ct gold bracelet that weighs 15 grams. At 9ct, 37.5% of that weight is pure gold, which gives you 5.625 grams of pure gold. You can then check the current gold spot price per gram and multiply it by 5.625 to get a sense of the gold content value.
Keep in mind that no buyer pays the full spot price. The gold needs to be refined back into pure form, which has costs. A fair buyer will typically offer a percentage of the spot value, and should be upfront about what that percentage is and why.
This is why it pays to understand the basics before you sell. When you know how much pure gold is in an item, you are in a much stronger position to evaluate any offer you receive.
What About Condition?
Here is the good news: condition does not matter when selling gold for its metal value. A broken chain, a bent ring, or a single earring is worth exactly the same as an identical piece in perfect condition. Gold is gold, regardless of what shape it is in.
The only exception is if your jewellery has collectible or antique value above its metal content. In those cases, you might get more by selling it as a piece rather than for scrap. We will always let you know if we think something has value beyond its gold content.
How to Find Out What Yours Is Worth
The easiest way to find out what your gold jewellery is worth is to bring it to us for a free assessment. We test, weigh, and value your items right in front of you, explain every step, and give you a no-obligation quote. If you are happy, we pay you the same day by bank transfer.
We come to you anywhere in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. Just get in touch by phone, WhatsApp, or email to arrange a time.
Find Out What Your Items Are Worth
We offer free, no-obligation assessments anywhere in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. Same-day bank transfer if you accept.
