If you have ever turned a gold ring over and squinted at a tiny stamp reading “14K,” “585,” or “750,” you have already encountered a karat marking. Those numbers tell you exactly how much pure gold is present in that piece — and they have a direct bearing on what a coin shop will pay when you bring it in. At American Gold Buyers, located at 1178 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC 29607, every gold item is evaluated based on verified metal content. Understanding the karat system helps you arrive with realistic expectations and a clear picture of what you own.
What Is a Karat?
A karat (abbreviated K or kt) measures gold purity on a scale of 24. Pure gold is 24 karats, meaning all 24 parts of the alloy are gold. Because pure gold is very soft and scratches easily, most jewelry is made from gold alloys — mixtures of gold with copper, silver, zinc, or other metals — to improve durability. The karat mark tells you the ratio of gold to everything else in that blend.
The Most Common Karat Levels
24K Gold — 99.9% Pure
Twenty-four karat gold is the purest form. Its deep, saturated yellow color is unmistakable, but the metal bends and scratches under normal wear, making it impractical for most jewelry. You are most likely to find 24K gold in bullion coins and bars, such as the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf or the Chinese Gold Panda. Items stamped “999” or “9999” fall in this category.
22K Gold — 91.7% Pure
Twenty-two karat gold strikes a balance between high purity and improved hardness. It appears in high-end jewelry from certain traditions and in bullion coins such as the American Gold Eagle and the South African Krugerrand. The corresponding fineness stamp is “916.”
18K Gold — 75% Pure
Eighteen karat gold is a favorite for fine jewelry worldwide. With 75% gold content, it carries a rich, warm color while being durable enough for everyday wear. European jewelers commonly use 18K; look for the stamp “750.” Engagement rings, tennis bracelets, and high-quality pendants are frequently 18K.
14K Gold — 58.3% Pure
This is the most widely sold karat in the United States. Fourteen karat gold contains 58.3% pure gold and offers excellent wear resistance at an accessible price. Stamps to look for include “585” or simply “14K.” Class rings, wedding bands, and everyday jewelry frequently fall in this range.
10K Gold — 41.7% Pure
Ten karat gold is the legal minimum to be marketed as gold in the United States. It contains 41.7% pure gold blended with a high proportion of alloy metals. The result is a very durable, affordably priced piece with a slightly paler yellow tone. Items stamped “417” are 10K.
How Karat Affects the Value of Your Gold
When you bring gold to American Gold Buyers, our team weighs and tests each piece to confirm purity. Karat stamps provide useful guidance, but we also use acid testing and electronic verification because stamps can be worn, inaccurate, or absent on older or foreign pieces. Once we have confirmed the karat and weighed the item in troy ounces or pennyweights, we calculate value using the current gold spot price. Both purity and weight matter: a heavier 10K chain may contain more actual gold than a lighter 18K ring, so the full picture counts.
What We Do Not Buy
A question we hear often from customers in Greenville, Greer, and Simpsonville is whether we purchase gold-plated jewelry. We do not. Gold-plated items carry only a microscopic surface layer of gold over a base metal, making the actual gold content negligible. The same applies to gold-filled, gold-vermeil, and silver-plated pieces. If you are unsure what you have, bring it in — we test items at no charge and give you a straight answer.
Come See Us in Greenville
Whether you are cleaning out a jewelry box, handling an estate in Mauldin or Easley, or simply curious about what your gold is worth, American Gold Buyers is ready to help. We buy gold, silver, coins, bullion, estate jewelry, diamonds, and Rolex watches, and we pay cash or check to sellers. Buyers can purchase using cash, credit, or crypto.
Stop by 1178 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC 29607, or call us at (864) 631-1000. We are here for Upstate South Carolina residents who want honest, knowledgeable evaluations.
