The factors behind a precious-metal offer
How Gold Offers Are Calculated
Gold offers can reflect purity, net precious-metal weight, condition, documentation, collectibility, resale demand, and current market conditions rather than one number alone.
Purity and net metal weight
A karat or fineness mark suggests how much precious metal an item may contain, while testing helps evaluate the material itself. Stones, clasps, internal parts, fillers, and other components can affect net precious-metal weight.
- Karat marks describe gold proportion
- Fineness marks are common on bullion and platinum
- Gross item weight is not always net precious-metal weight
Item-specific value factors
Condition, brand, craftsmanship, completeness, documentation, rarity, collectibility, and resale demand may matter for some jewelry, coins, watches, or diamonds. Other pieces may be considered mainly for recoverable metal content.
- Boxes and documents can add context
- Never clean a collectible coin for evaluation
- Damaged jewelry may still have metal value
Market conditions and the final review
Public metal prices move, but a posted market quote is not automatically the price of a finished item. Aura reviews the actual piece in person and explains the offer based on the relevant factors at that time.