Gold prices have been making headlines, and if you've got old rings, broken chains, or inherited jewellery sitting in a drawer, you might be wondering what it's all actually worth. It's a fair question, and the answer depends on a few key factors.
Let's break it down so you know exactly what to expect before you walk into any jeweller or gold buyer.
What Is Gold Trading at Right Now?
As of 01 April 2026, gold is trading at approximately €3,950 to €4,080 per troy ounce, which works out at roughly €131 per gram. These prices fluctuate throughout the day based on global markets, so they're never fixed, but that gives you a solid benchmark.
To put that in more relatable terms, a 9k gold ring weighing 5 grams contains about 1.875 grams of pure gold (since 9k is 37.5% pure). At current prices, the raw gold content alone would be worth roughly €245. An 18k ring of the same weight would contain 3.75 grams of pure gold, making it worth closer to €490 in gold value.
What Determines the Value of Your Gold Jewellery?
Three things matter most when it comes to valuing gold jewellery: the karat (purity), the weight, and the current market price.
The karat tells you how much of the piece is actually gold. In Ireland, you'll most commonly see 9k, 14k, and 18k gold. Each has a different percentage of pure gold content. 9k is 37.5%, 14k is 58.5%, and 18k is 75%. A heavier piece in a higher karat will obviously be worth more - read our Demystifying Gold article to discover more.
It's worth noting that the condition of the piece doesn't matter much when selling gold for its metal value. Broken chains, single earrings, bent rings, and scratched bangles all contain the same amount of gold as pristine items. If you've been holding onto damaged jewellery because you assumed it was worthless, you might be pleasantly surprised. Read our Cash for Gold: A Beginner's Guide article for more info.
How Do Gold Buyers Calculate Their Offers?
Professional gold buyers weigh your items, test the karat (usually using an XRF machine, which is non destructive and highly accurate), and then calculate the value based on the current gold price.
The offer you receive will be a percentage of the spot price. No buyer pays 100% of the market rate because there are refining and processing costs involved. What varies is how much of that value is passed on to you. This is where it pays to choose carefully. A reputable jeweller with fair margins will get you significantly more than a pop up cash for gold shop.
What About Sentimental or Antique Pieces?
If your jewellery has any collectible, antique, or design value beyond its gold content, melting it down would be a waste. Certain pieces, particularly hallmarked antique items, designer jewellery, or rings with quality gemstones, may be worth considerably more as jewellery than as scrap gold.
A good gold buyer should flag this for you rather than simply offering scrap value. It's one of the reasons we always recommend going to an established jeweller rather than a dedicated scrap buyer. We'll always let you know if something is worth more intact.
Tips for Getting the Best Price
Know the karat of your gold before you go in. Check for hallmarks on the inside of rings or on clasps. Irish hallmarks will show the purity, and we've written a full guide on how to read them - see our Hallmarking article.
Get more than one quote. Prices can vary significantly between buyers, and having a comparison gives you leverage.
Ask how the offer is calculated. A trustworthy buyer will show you the weight, confirm the karat, and explain how they arrived at the figure. If anyone is vague about the process, walk away.
Consider trading in rather than selling. If you're thinking about a new piece of jewellery, many jewellers (ourselves included) offer better value as a trade in than a straight cash sale.
Ready to Find Out What Your Gold Is Worth?
If you're curious about the value of your gold jewellery, you're welcome to call into our Dublin workshop for a free, no obligation valuation. We'll test and weigh your items on the spot and give you an honest figure based on the day's prices.