William Lipovsky
Short Answer
At the time of writing, the price per gram for 10K gold is about $16 per gram. Historical prices and averages range from around $4 to $10 per gram.
How Gold is Valued
All precious metals, like gold, are measured in troy ounces — a method used since the Middle Ages. A troy ounce weighs more than a standard ounce. One standard ounce equals 28.3 grams, while one troy ounce equals 31.1 grams.
Most gold is converted into either grams or pennyweight (DWT). A pennyweight is 1/20th of a troy ounce. You will get the same final value for both denominations — it just depends on how the buyer prefers to weigh it.
Karats are used to determine the purity of gold. Gold sold at retail is usually between 10 and 24 karats (not to be confused with carats, which is used to weigh diamonds). If a piece of gold is labeled as 24K, it’s considered pure gold (about 99.5%). The lower the karat, the smaller percentage of gold. Lower karats are determined by dividing by 24. Therefore, 10K gold is 41.7% pure gold (10 ÷ 24 = .41666), with the rest consisting of metal alloys that give the gold its rigidity/hardness.
The value of gold is determined by its weight (either in grams or DWT) and its purity (karats).
Why Choose 10K Gold?
Cost: 10K gold is the least expensive option when shopping for gold products. While there is a slight difference in the gold shade between 10K and 24K gold, most of the time it’s not distinguishable by the human eye. 24k is pure gold.
Durability: 10K gold is often chosen for its durability. Because gold is a soft metal, a higher karat will naturally be softer than a lower karat. Since 10K gold is about 42 and 58% other metal alloys, it is considerably more durable and more scratch-resistant than gold of a higher karat, making it a good choice for everyday wear.
The Value of 10K Gold
The value of gold, regardless of the karat, varies depending on a number of factors, including inflation, the value of the U.S. dollar, gold production, and supply and demand — just to name a few.
We’ve included the historical, average, and current gold prices of 10K gold, per gram and per DWT, to show the gradual increase in value over the last 20 years.
Value in Grams
- Historical Price: In 1997, 10K gold was valued at $3.69 per gram.
- Average Price: The 20-year average price of 10K gold is $9.41 per gram.
- Current Price: At today’s rate, 10K gold is valued at $15.68 per gram.
Value in Pennyweight (DWT) Remember this is 1/20th of an ounce
- Historical Price: In 1997, 10K gold was valued at $5.74 per pennyweight.
- Average Price: The 20-year average price of 10K gold is $14.63 per pennyweight.
- Current Price: At today’s rate, 10K gold is valued at $24.83 per pennyweight.
10K Gold Jewelry Prices
The value of gold jewelry at retail includes the cost of the gold, the craftsmanship to make the piece, any customizations, and the retailer markup.
Bracelets
- Average Weight: 3 – 4 grams
- Average Cost: $250 – $400+
Earrings
- Average Weight: 1/2 – 2 grams
- Average Cost: $30 – $150+
Necklaces/Chains
- Average Weight: Depends on length (12 – 30 inches): 3 – 8 grams
- Average Cost: $150 – $500+
Rings
- Average Weight: 1 – 7 grams
- Average Cost: $220 – $600+
Watches
- Average Weight: 25 – 100 grams
- Average Cost: $300 – $1,000+
If you’re looking for a place to sell your jewelry, check out this list to find gold buyers near you where you can sell your gold in person.
