- Jewelry Identifier
- Jewelry melt value
- 18K necklace
* Jewelry melt value
How much is a 18K gold necklace worth?
A typical solid 18K gold necklace (~12 g, no stones) is worth about $1,174 in melt value as of July 13, 2026 — scrap offers usually land near $998 (~85% of melt). Plain necklaces in this karat commonly weigh 5–25 g ($489–$2,446 melt).
Published July 11, 2026 · Updated July 13, 2026
18K gold necklace — live estimate
- Typical weight
- 12 g (5–25 g)
- Melt (typical)
- $1,174
- Scrap (~85%)
- $998
- Melt range
- $489 – $2,446
- Scrap range
- $416 – $2,079
- Per-gram melt
- $97.85/g
How to weigh your necklace
Unclasp and weigh the chain alone. Large pendants, pearls, or glass beads should be excluded from the melt estimate.
Then multiply gold-only grams × $97.85 for melt, or × $83.17 for a realistic scrap ballpark. Need an exact weight page? See 18K gold by gram.
What counts as a typical necklace?
rope, curb, and box-chain necklaces without large pendants.
Next steps
- Confirm the 18K stamp via the hallmark guide.
- Weigh gold only; exclude stones and non-gold findings.
- Compare scrap offers to $998 and consider selling intact if the piece is branded or gem-set.
- Unsure of the metal? Scan it in the Jewelry Identifier app first.
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. How much is a 18K gold necklace worth today?
- A. At a typical 12 g weight, about $1,174 melt / $998 scrap as of July 13, 2026. Your piece may differ — multiply its gold-only weight in grams by $97.85/g.
- Q. What does a 18K necklace usually weigh?
- A. Plain necklaces (no large stones) commonly fall between 5 g and 25 g. That is rope, curb, and box-chain necklaces without large pendants.
- Q. How much pure gold is in a typical 18K necklace?
- A. 18K is 75.0% gold, so ~12 g of 18K contains about 9.00 g of pure gold.
- Q. Should I sell my necklace for scrap or intact?
- A. Scrap pays near melt. Designer, branded, or gem-set necklaces often sell for more intact via a jeweler or marketplace. Compare both before melting.
* Try it
Identify the jewelry in your hand, right now.
Just take a photo — AI reads the metal, gemstone, hallmark, era, and an estimated value range in seconds. First two scans free, no account required.
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