Real-Time Metals Price Comparison
Track live gold, silver, platinum, and palladium prices with historical comparisons. Ready to sell? Visit our Gold Buyers, Silver Buyers, or Platinum Buyers pages to get started.
Historical Price Charts
Interactive charts showing long-term price trends and technical analysis
Have gold, silver, or platinum to sell in Myrtle Beach? Get a free, in-view appraisal today.
How Spot Prices Affect What Your Gold Is Worth
The spot price is the current market rate for one troy ounce of pure gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. It changes throughout the trading day based on global supply and demand. When you sell gold jewelry, coins, or bullion, the spot price is the starting point for determining value.
The price you receive when selling gold is not the full spot price. Dealers account for refining costs, purity verification, and business operations. At Carolina Gold Exchange, offers are calculated transparently using live spot data shown on this page, and every step of the process is explained before any offer is made.
What Determines the Value of Your Gold
Three factors determine what your gold is worth when you sell it: purity, weight, and the current spot price.
Purity is measured in karats. 24-karat gold is 99.9% pure gold. 18-karat gold is 75% pure. 14-karat gold, the most common type found in U.S. jewelry, is 58.3% pure gold. The higher the karat, the more pure gold your item contains and the more it is worth per gram.
Weight is measured in grams or troy ounces. Once purity and weight are confirmed through professional testing, the pure gold content is calculated and multiplied against the current spot price to determine the base metal value.
| Karat | Gold Purity | Common Items |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% pure gold | Gold bars, bullion coins, some international jewelry |
| 22K | 91.7% pure gold | American Gold Eagles, some high-end jewelry |
| 18K | 75.0% pure gold | Fine jewelry, watches, designer pieces |
| 14K | 58.3% pure gold | Most U.S. jewelry — rings, chains, bracelets, earrings |
| 10K | 41.7% pure gold | Budget jewelry, class rings, older pieces |
When Is the Best Time to Sell Gold
Gold prices fluctuate daily based on global economic conditions, inflation expectations, currency movements, and investor demand. The charts above show recent price trends so you can see where the market stands today compared to recent weeks and months.
Trying to time the market perfectly is rarely practical. What matters more is selling when you are ready and working with a dealer who bases their offers on live market data rather than arbitrary estimates. If gold prices are near recent highs, it may be a good time to bring in items you have been considering selling.
Walk-ins are always welcome at Carolina Gold Exchange for a free, no-obligation appraisal based on the current market prices shown on this page. There is never any pressure to sell if the offer does not meet your expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gold Prices
What is the gold spot price?
The gold spot price is the current market price for one troy ounce of pure gold. It is set by global commodity exchanges and changes throughout the trading day. The spot price shown on this page updates in real time and reflects what gold is trading for right now.
Why is the price I am offered different from the spot price?
The spot price represents the cost of pure gold on commodity markets. When you sell gold jewelry or coins to a dealer, the offer accounts for the item's actual gold purity, refining costs to recover the pure metal, and the dealer's operating costs. A 14-karat gold ring, for example, is only 58.3% pure gold, so the starting value is the spot price multiplied by the pure gold weight, not the total item weight.
How often do gold and silver prices change?
Gold and silver prices change continuously during market trading hours, which run Sunday evening through Friday afternoon Eastern Time. Prices can shift multiple times per minute based on trading activity. The live prices and charts on this page reflect current market conditions.
When is the best time to sell gold?
There is no single best time to sell gold. Prices are influenced by global economic factors that are difficult to predict. The most practical approach is to monitor the price charts above and sell when you are comfortable with current market levels. If gold is trading near recent highs, it may be a favorable time to sell items you have been holding.
What does karat mean for gold value?
Karat measures the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats. Most gold jewelry in the United States is 10K, 14K, or 18K, meaning it is mixed with other metals for durability. The karat rating directly affects value because it determines how much pure gold is in the item. A 14-karat piece contains 58.3% gold, while a 10-karat piece contains 41.7% gold. Higher karat items are worth more per gram.