Pawn shops buy gold by evaluating its "melt value"—the raw value of the metal—and typically offer between of that market price . Unlike jewelry stores, which may value brand or design, pawn shops primarily focus on the intrinsic value of the gold content itself to ensure they can profit even if they have to sell the item to a refinery. The Evaluation Process
: Expect an offer of $32–$38 per gram for 10K gold or $56–$72 per gram for 18K gold, depending on current market fluctuations.
: Most pawn shops expect you to negotiate; bringing certificates of authenticity or appraisals can help you secure a higher offer. Do Pawn Shops Buy Gold? A Guide for First-Time Sellers