The current price of gold is tempting numerous individuals to sell their unused jewelry. Countless companies have also started looking for a way to get their hands on such metal jewelry.
Certified companies will ask you to send your unwanted jewelry to them for analysis. However, before you do that, you might want to analyze the metal yourself first. This analysis will help you get in touch with the actual market value of your gold.
[toc]When you begin to inspect your jewelry, you might get a glimpse of a 14K or 14Kt marking on it. If such a hallmark is present, you might be wondering what it means.
Hence, you might not be interested in selling but rather purchasing it. Still, in-depth details about what the 14K gold is and if it is worth the price tag will help you out.
What is Your Gold Made of
Gold is one of the most prevalent chemical elements. On the periodic table, gold is known by its Latin name aurum.
This periodic element is denoted by the symbol (Au). When gold is in its purest form, the color is bright yellow with a slight hint of red. In addition to the color, pure gold is soft, dense, and very malleable metal.
Often when gold is extracted, it appears in its free elemental form like grains and/or nuggets. Miners find this metal in alluvial deposits and rocks, as well. Among other chemical elements, Au is the least reactive.
As a metal, gold has been a market for high social status for millennia. Among ancient Egyptians, the metal played a significantly influential role. To this day, the value of gold has been only increasing.
What is 14K gold
Because gold is one of the easiest metals to work with, it makes for an ideal material to manufacture jewelry.
In the wide variety of jewelry on the market, one type of highly popular jewelry is 14K gold. If you notice the 14Kt hallmark on the item you selected, the meaning behind it is simple.
In a word, 14K gold is real, except that it is mixed with other metals. This type of jewelry is often a blend of gold and durable metals like nickel, copper, zinc, and so on.
By itself, gold is soft. People have to mix it with an alloy to strengthen a gold jewelry item. 14 karat hallmark is specifically used to refer to how much gold is used to make a jewelry piece.
Those items labeled with 14Kt contain 58.3% gold only. Compared to that, 18K stand for 75% pure gold. 24K marking is used for pieces made up of 99.9% gold.
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14K Gold Price
Value of the metal is dependent upon its purity. The ratio of gold to alloy is a crucial factor in determining the price tags. To decide the price tag of 14Kt gold, jewelers focus on several factors. Other than the amount of gold present, the weight of a specific jewelry item is also needed.
The current market value of 14K gold fluctuates every day. On average, one gram of 14K gold will cost you about $41 and above. Purchasing an ounce of pure gold (24K) can easily cost you about $1500 these days. Compared to that, 14Kt is more affordable for individuals wanting to purchase gold on a budget.
Resale value of 14Kt gold
The resale value of your 14Kt item is dependent on various indicators. The condition of your jewelry matters the most.
Over time 14Kt gold pieces tend to scratches and dullness. If that is the condition of your gold item, the resale value can go slightly down. However, simple polishing can help bring the price tag back to at least the original cost.
Another way to resale 14K gold is by asking a jeweler to melt the item(s). That way, you can sell it as 14Kt coins or bricks.
You can always make at least a minimum profit on any type of gold. The price of this metal spikes day by day. Keeping an eye on the current rates is key to finding the right time to sell your 14Kt jewelry.
Disadvantages of 14 Karat gold
14K gold has a lot of customers in the market. However, market popularity often hides some defects it has.
14K yellow gold usually requires a considerable amount of care. You must polish and clean your 14Kt gold jewelry regularly. Only then it will be able to maintain a beautiful look. The biggest concern is that mixed gold jewelry is prone to dents and scratches, as well.
If your 14Kt white gold piece is mixed with nickel, it can cause allergic reactions. In its pure form, white gold is hypoallergenic. But combined with alloys such as nickel can be harmful to some wearers.
Compared to its 18K cousin, 14K gold has more ratio of alloy. The high alloy content can occasionally cause the skin to itch and increase discomfort. Individuals with copper, zinc, iron, silver, and nickel allergy will not find 14K gold suitable.
Other than that, the rhodium plating on 14Kt white gold needs to be replaced several times over the years, although this maintenance procedure is inexpensive.
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14 Karat gold advantages
When compared to its 18Kt and 24Kt cousins, 14 karat gold has a higher amount of impurity. However, it is still made of 58.3% gold, and the 41.7% of alloy gives its strength and durability.
Secondly, buyers can find purchasing 24K gold extremely tough. Individuals save up for a decade to acquire only a few grams of pure gold for their loved ones. However, 14K gold only costs a fraction of what pure 24K is worth.
The mix of pure gold is in higher amounts compared to 10K gold. With that, you get the value for your money. In the market, 14Kt gold has become a popular choice for engagement rings. Other wearable jewelry in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries are now widely available in 14 karat gold as well.
90% of wedding bands and engagement rings are made with 14 karat gold. That has now made it a go-to choice for couples.
What is attractive about 14K gold bands is its vibrant color. Compared to 18K, there is a slight difference in shade. 18K appears to be more saturated as well as intense. Still, due to the high gold to alloy ratio, 14K can pass for a piece of pure gold jewelry.
When is 14K Gold the Right Choice
The metal that you will pick for your jewelry should depend on several elements. Your primary concerns:
- Appearance and design
- Cost
- Longevity
In terms of affordability, 14 karat is a popular recommendation of jewelers across the world. Not only is the price of 14kt less than 18kt and 24kt, but it is also more pocket-friendly than platinum. That makes 14kt an excellent choice for an individual with a medium budget.
While 14 karat gold is ideal for engagement rings, it is also suitable for bracelets, promise rings, pendants, and so on. This type of gold can be used for either a personal collection or as a present for someone special.
Getting the Most out of Old 14K Gold Jewelry
14K gold can be sold again for the same price or more. However, realistically, it is better not to expect to get the market rate for your jewelry items. When you are dealing with mail-in, pawnshops, or a cash-for-gold company, the rates can twitch.
Such shops are often unlikely to sell gold for more than the market rate. That is why they try to purchase your jewelry for the least amount of money. In addition to that, their price also changes daily, as such shops always try to protect themselves from losses. The gold market can drop between the time they purchase an item from you and the time they sell it again.
If you want to sell your 14K jewelry for a good value, there are two things you can do to maximize the price you get.
This will help you locate the best time to sell your gold. With that, you will increase the chances of getting the best possible rate for your gold items.
Before you sell your old jewelry, go to a variety of companies to know the current rates. With that, gathering more knowledge about your jewelry will also help you make an informed decision.
Final Words
Whether or not 14 karat gold is worth your money, should be decided by your budget. If you are someone who wants a high quantity of gold but without a high price tag, 14 karat is your best option.
As compared to 9K and 10K, 14 karat asks for slightly more money. However, given the price you pay for it, the quality you get is outstanding.
Because of this cost-effectiveness, and the somewhat elegant color, more and more people around the world are showing a great interest in 14 karat gold.
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