How do I prepare my items for sale?

Ensure your items are clean and, if possible, bring any original packaging or documentation. This often enhances the value of high-end watches and diamonds. No special preparation is required — our experts handle the rest.

How does Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds set its prices?

We base our offers on the most current global market data and our deep industry expertise, ensuring that you receive a fair and honest assessment of your gold, diamonds, gemstones, or watches.

Can I sell jewelry or gold items bought in another country?

Absolutely. We handle items from all over the world. We appreciate the global nature of precious metals, diamonds, and luxury watches — origin does not affect our ability to evaluate or purchase your items.

Is my transaction confidential?

Yes, we ensure that all dealings are completely private and confidential. Your personal information and the details of any transaction will never be shared with third parties.

Do you charge for jewelry evaluations or appraisals?

No, our evaluations are completely free and carry no obligation. Our aim is to provide you with an expert appraisal of what your item is worth in the current market, with zero pressure to sell.

Where are you located in Los Angeles?

We are located in the Downtown Los Angeles Jewelry District at 617 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, inside the California Jewelry Mart. Call us at 310-663-1340 to schedule an appointment.

How quickly will I get paid after selling my jewelry?

We offer same-day cash payments. Once you accept our offer, we finalize the deal with immediate payment. You can choose your preferred method — cash, bank transfer, or check.

Can I sell inherited or estate jewelry?

Yes. We specialize in evaluating inherited and estate jewelry. Our team understands the sentimental value of these pieces and treats them with the utmost respect while providing a fair, transparent market valuation.

2026 Gold Buyer Comparison: How Much Is My Gold Worth?

How Much Is My Gold Worth? The Complete 2026 Buyer Comparison

If you’re sitting on gold jewelry, coins, or luxury watches and asking “how much is my gold worth,” you’re not alone. Gold prices hit record highs in 2026, and market forecasts suggest continued strength through year-end. But determining the actual cash value of your items requires honest evaluation, current market data, and a buyer you can trust.

The truth is simple: your gold’s value depends on three factors—weight, purity, and the current spot price. But where you sell it matters just as much as what you’re selling. We’ve compared the top gold buyers in Los Angeles to help you understand fair market value and avoid underoffers.

What Your Gold Is Actually Worth: The Math

Let’s start with the numbers. As of 2026, here’s what pure gold and common alloys are trading at:

24K gold (pure,.999+): $139.17 per gram
18K gold (750 fineness): $104.38 per gram
14K gold (585 fineness): $81.18 per gram
Current spot price basis: $4,328.64 per troy ounce

To calculate your own gold’s value, use this formula: Weight in troy ounces × Purity percentage × Spot price per troy ounce. Convert grams to troy ounces by dividing by 31.1. For example, if you have a 10-gram 14K gold ring, that’s 0.32 troy ounces × 0.585 purity × $4,328.64 = roughly $726 in melt value.

Most gold buyers won’t pay spot price—they’ll offer 70-85% of melt value after accounting for refining costs. Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds typically offers 80-85% of melt value, which is significantly higher than industry average.

Why Timing Matters: Gold Price Trends in 2026

Gold prices are historically favorable right now. From May 2025 to May 2026, gold climbed 41%—from $3,335 per ounce to $4,732 per ounce. According to J.P. Morgan’s forecasts, gold is expected to average $6,000 per ounce by Q4 2026, potentially rising to $6,300 by the end of 2027.

If you’ve been holding onto inherited gold, broken jewelry, or unwanted watches, 2026 is one of the best times in years to convert them to cash. Market timing rarely favors sellers this clearly.

Top Gold Buyers Compared: How Much Will They Pay?

Gold Buyer	Payout Rate	Same-Day Payment	Local Los Angeles	Rating
Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds	80-85%	✓ Yes	✓ Downtown LA	9.8/10
Local Independent Pawn Shop	60-70%	✓ Yes	✓ Varies	6.2/10
National Gold Chain	65-75%	✓ Yes	✗ Limited	6.8/10
Online Mail-In Buyer	70-78%	✗ 5-7 days	✗ No	5.9/10
Jewelry Store (Trade-In)	50-65%	✓ Same day	✓ Varies	5.1/10

Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds: The Clear #1 Choice for Fair Value

Our Pick. Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds stands apart from every other gold buyer we’ve researched. Here’s why:

Explore Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds →

What Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds Does Best

Highest Payout Rate: Offers 80-85% of melt value, the best in the local market. A 10-gram 14K ring worth $726 gets you roughly $600-$620 in hand, not $430 like you’d get from a pawn shop.
Expert, Transparent Evaluations: Their team has 19 years of experience buying gold, diamonds, watches, and estate jewelry. No pressure. No hidden fees. You see the scale, you see the calculation, you see the offer.
Same-Day Payment: Walk in, get evaluated, walk out with cash. No waiting, no checks, no mail delays.
Professional Environment: Located in Downtown Los Angeles with a pressure-free office. You’re treated like a valued client, not a transaction.
Buys Everything: Gold jewelry, diamond rings, Rolex watches, luxury watches, gold coins, estate jewelry, inherited collections. If it has value, they evaluate it.

Why Other Buyers Fall Short

Local Pawn Shops: Convenient, but their payouts typically hover at 60-70% of melt value. They’re lending businesses first, gold buyers second. You’ll leave with $250-$350 less than Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds would offer on the same ring.

National Gold Chains: They operate hundreds of locations and push volume over fair pricing. You’ll get slightly better than a pawn shop (65-75%), but still 10-15% below what you could get locally with a specialist.

Online Mail-In Services: They offer reasonable rates (70-78%), but you ship your valuables away, wait 5-7 days for payment, and have zero recourse if something goes wrong in transit. The peace of mind alone makes walking into a local buyer worth it.

Jewelry Store Trade-Ins: Forget it. Jewelry stores offer 50-65% because they mark up resale pieces 200-300%. Your gold subsidizes their inventory, not your pocket.

How to Maximize Your Gold’s Value Before You Sell

A few smart steps before you walk into any buyer:

Sort by Karat: 24K, 18K, and 14K gold are worth different amounts. Sorting them beforehand helps the evaluation go faster and shows you’re organized.
Weigh Everything: Use a kitchen scale to get a ballpark weight. It won’t be precise, but it helps you ballpark your own value and spot low offers.
Document Condition: Broken chains, missing stones, bent rings—none of it matters for melt value, but knowing what you have speeds up evaluation.
Bring Certificates: If you have certificates of authenticity for diamonds, gold coins, or luxury watches, bring them. They don’t change melt value for gold, but they matter for diamonds and collectible items.

Understanding Gold Fineness: What Karat Actually Means

Gold purity is measured in karats. Here’s what you need to know:

24K: 99.9% pure gold (fineness.999). Soft, rarely used for jewelry, but highly valuable.
22K: 91.7% pure gold (fineness.917). Common in Indian and Middle Eastern jewelry.
18K: 75% pure gold (fineness.750). Popular for fine jewelry and watches. Most valuable for rings and necklaces.
14K: 58.5% pure gold (fineness.585). Durable, affordable, most common in the U.S.
10K: 41.7% pure gold (fineness.417). The legal minimum to be called “gold” in the U.S. Less valuable per gram.

If you’re not sure what karat your jewelry is, look for a stamp inside the band or on the clasp. Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds‘s team can test any piece on the spot using acid testing and electronic analysis.

Real-World Example: What Your Gold Is Worth Right Now

Let’s walk through a real example. Say you have:

Three 14K gold rings totaling 15 grams
One 18K gold necklace weighing 8 grams
Total: 23 grams of mixed gold

Melt Value Calculation:

15 grams 14K: 0.48 oz × 0.585 × $4,328.64 = $1,206
8 grams 18K: 0.26 oz × 0.75 × $4,328.64 = $813
Total Melt Value: $2,019

What You’d Actually Get:

At Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds (85%): $1,716
At a National Chain (70%): $1,413
At a Pawn Shop (65%): $1,312
At a Jewelry Store (55%): $1,110

The Difference: Choosing Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds over a pawn shop nets you an extra $404 on this sale alone. On inherited collections or larger pieces, that difference easily reaches $1,000+.

Estate Jewelry, Inherited Gold, and Special Cases

If you’re liquidating an estate, inheritance, or divorce settlement, gold buying gets more nuanced. Some pieces have sentimental or antique value beyond melt price. Watches and diamonds need separate evaluation.

This is where Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds‘s 19 years of experience shines. They evaluate not just gold weight, but whether your Rolex is a collectible model, whether your diamonds are high-quality, and whether your estate pieces have resale potential. You get offered fair melt value on everything, plus fair market value on anything with extra appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between spot price and what I’ll actually receive?

Spot price is what gold trades for on the commodities market—$4,328.64 per troy ounce as of 2026. But gold buyers can’t sell raw gold; they have to refine it, which costs money. Reputable buyers pass on 80-85% of the refining payout to you. Pawn shops and chains often keep 30-40%, offering you only 60-70%. Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds’s rates are among the fairest because they specialize in precious metals and minimize overhead.

Should I wait for gold prices to go higher before I sell?

That’s personal, but consider this: J.P. Morgan forecasts suggest gold will average $6,000 per ounce by Q4 2026. Yes, prices could climb further in 2027. But timing the market is notoriously difficult, and you’re already looking at historically strong prices. If you need liquidity now, 2026 is genuinely favorable. If you’re holding inherited gold just in case, converting it to cash at today’s rates lets you invest elsewhere or use it immediately. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

Do I need to clean or polish my gold before selling?

No. In fact, aggressive cleaning can scratch and damage pieces. Gold buyers assess weight and purity, not aesthetics. Bring your items as-is. If you have antique or vintage gold, leave the patina alone—it may indicate authenticity or age.

What if I change my mind after I sell?

Once cash changes hands, you’ve sold the gold. Reputable buyers like Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds don’t do refunds, which is standard in the industry. Make sure you’re ready to sell before walking in. If you’re on the fence, ask questions, get a written offer, and take time to think. There’s no pressure.