If you've ever looked at the inside of a ring, or the clasp of a bracelet, there's a distinct possibility that you've come across a small stamp. On it is a number, sometimes 10K, 14K, 18K, and occasionally 22K or 24K. Whatever the number is, it's safe to say that few have any real knowledge about it other than the higher the number, the better.
What you might not know is that these stamps tell you how much real gold is within the item, and by extension the alloy in which it's been formed. Now, armed with this bit of knowledge, it's not hard to deduce an approximate value of said article.
One of the more common questions we get around the Coquitlam Jewelry Buyers office is exactly that, what value do these stamps hold? Why are there so many of them? What's the difference between 22K and 24K? Why are North American gold items predominantly 14K, compared to the South Asian, Middle Eastern and East Asian pieces we see in the shop, which are nearly always 22K or 24K?
Pure gold 24K is very soft. So soft in fact that a ring made of this would bend when you were doing the dishes. Gold is therefore alloyed with other metals such as copper, silver or zinc to make it more durable. The amount of other metals in a gold alloy determines its karat value.
Notice what's happening here — as the karat drops, so does the actual gold content. A 10K ring and a 24K ring might look almost identical sitting side by side, but there's more than twice the gold in the 24K piece for the same weight.
When we evaluate jewellery, we're not paying for the design, the brand stamped inside it, or how much it cost when it was new. We're paying for the actual gold content, based on karat and weight, against the live spot price of gold that day.
That means two rings of identical size and weight can be worth very different amounts depending on their karat:
Run those numbers against the day's spot price and the gap in payout becomes obvious fast. It's also why "how much is my gold worth" doesn't have one universal answer — it depends entirely on karat, weight, and where the market sits that day. Our What We Pay page updates daily so you can check current rates by karat before you even book an appointment.
Walk into most Canadian or American jewellery stores and you'll mostly see 10K and 14K gold. It's durable, more affordable to produce, and holds up well to daily wear — which makes sense for a market built around everyday jewellery.
But the Lower Mainland isn't just one market. We see a huge volume of 22K and 24K gold come through our doors, particularly from South Asian families — engagement sets, wedding jewellery, bangles passed down through generations. In many South Asian, Middle Eastern, and East Asian cultures, higher-karat gold isn't just jewellery, it's a store of value and a tradition tied to milestones like weddings and births. That's a big part of why we built out dedicated buying expertise around 22K and 24K South Asian gold — it's simply a large and important part of what comes across our counter.
A few ways to check before you even come in:
When you bring jewellery in, we don't just read the stamp and take it at face value. We test it — using XRF scanning and acid testing, done right in front of you at the appointment. That way you're not taking our word for it or the original stamp's word for it; you can watch the process and understand exactly how we arrived at your offer.
This matters more than people expect. Gold-plated and gold-filled pieces can carry stamps or markings that look convincing at a glance but contain only a thin layer of actual gold over a base metal. A quick, transparent test settles the question either way.
If you have a mixed collection, (example: a couple of 14K chains, a 22K bangle from your grandmother's wedding set, and an old 10K class ring) understand that they should not be valued at approximately the same price per gram. They are not equal, and this is normal! Weigh and evaluate your pieces of precious metal and calculate their value based on their Karat content. A total value will be calculated for you, without any pressure to sell, and at no cost to you.
If you want a rough idea before your appointment, our What We Pay page lists current buying prices by karat, updated daily against the live spot market.
Whether your gold is 10K or 24K, stamped or unmarked, inherited or just sitting in a drawer, we're happy to take a look. Call us at 604-779-2755 or email info@fsge.ca to book an appointment at our Coquitlam office. We serve clients from across the Lower Mainland — Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and everywhere in between.
Five Star Gold Exchange — Coquitlam, BC | By Appointment Only
#230 – 1140 Austin Ave, Coquitlam, BC | View Live Prices at fsge.ca