If you have gold jewelry tucked into a drawer that you never wear but also can’t quite let go of… same. Broken chains. Single earrings that lost their partner years ago. Heirloom rings you appreciate on a sentimental level but never actually wear.
Now picture your dream custom ring — suddenly that old gold starts looking a lot more useful. And with gold prices at record highs, it's a smarter question than ever.
Yep, old gold can totally help fund your dream ring — it just doesn’t always work the way people think.
One thing to know up front: Gem Breakfast doesn’t melt down or reuse client gold. What does happen all the time is people selling old gold elsewhere, then using that value toward a custom project with us. From there, it’s just about turning that number into something you can’t wait to put on your hand.
Can Old Gold Be Melted Down for a Custom Ring?
A lot of people assume their old gold can just be melted and turned into something new — like gold alchemy. And while that's technically possible, it's not something most custom jewelers offer.
At Gem Breakfast, we don’t refine client gold in-house. Reworking gold properly involves refining, alloy adjustments, and testing for strength and color — a whole separate world from designing custom rings.
So what usually happens instead?
People sell their old gold elsewhere, take the cash, and redirect it towards the custom ring they’ve been dreaming about. From there, the fun part takes over — cooking up a one-of-a-kind ring you’re genuinely obsessed with.
How Much Is Old Gold Usually Worth?
When you sell gold, value mostly comes down to three things:
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How pure it is (karat)
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How much of it there is (weight)
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The price that gold is trading at right now.
Here’s the key part to know: when you sell old gold, you’re being paid only for the metal value — not the design, the stones, the brand, or what you originally paid for it. And even then, you won't get 100% of the gold's market value — most buyers pay a percentage of that number, often around 90–95%, depending on the buyer.
That’s why old gold usually works best as a budget booster, not a one-to-one swap for a new ring. It gives you some breathing room, softens the budget, and nudges you closer to the ring you actually want.
And if this has been sitting on your maybe someday list for years, here’s your nudge: gold’s market value is at an all-time high — which makes this a pretty great moment to finally look at it. Especially if a custom piece is already on your mind.
We’ve got a deeper breakdown on gold prices here, if you’re curious.
Where to Take Old Gold
If selling feels like the right next step, look for places that handle gold all day long and are comfortable talking you through the process. Think:
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Local jewelry stores or bench jewelers
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Reputable gold buyers or refineries
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Estate jewelry specialists
A good buyer will weigh your pieces in front of you, explain the karat and metal content, and walk you through how they’re landing on a number based on current gold prices.
Before you commit, a few simple checks help:
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Get more than one quote — numbers can vary
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Ask how the price is calculated and whether any fees are involved
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Make sure weight and karat are measured openly
You don’t need to visit every gold buyer in town. Start with a few reputable, straightforward options, see what the numbers look like, and decide what feels right.
The Typical Process
For some, this is about clearing space. For others, it’s about turning something old into something that actually gets worn. Either way — here’s how it usually plays out.
1. Take stock of what you have
This is the jewelry box reckoning. Broken chains, bracelets, rings you’ve never worn but keep faithfully relocating from drawer to drawer. If it hasn’t seen daylight in years, it might be ready to move on.
2. Get a few estimates
A couple of reputable buyers is usually plenty. Local jewelers, gold buyers, estate specialists — you’re just looking for a sense of the range. Knowing the karat and having a ballpark weight also helps.
3. Wrap your head around the number
Gold is valued for the metal itself, so the number reflects purity, weight, and its current market value. But keep in mind: gold buyers typically pay a portion of that market value — not the full amount. That’s why it’s smart to shop around and get a few quotes.
4. Decide what’s staying and what’s going
Some pieces are an easy yes. Others still feel like they belong to you, even if they’re not getting worn. Keeping a few sentimental favorites and letting the rest go is a very normal outcome here.
5. Set a custom budget
With the budget bump from your old gold, you can set your custom budget and book in for a free consult to chat about all the sparkling possibilties.
6. Get designing
This is when the fun part really starts — scrolling stones, dreaming up details, imagining stacks, and finally claiming that incredible bi-color sapphire you saw once and never stopped thinking about.
Learn more about our custom design process here →
Make It Yours
Old gold doesn’t have to spend the rest of its life hiding in a box or drawer. Whether you sell it, keep it, or finally decide its next chapter — there’s no one “right” move. But if turning old gold into a custom ring you can’t stop staring at feels like the move? We’re so here for it.
When you’re ready to cook up something one-of-a-kind, hand-engraved, diamond-dusted, color drenched, maybe a little cosmic — the Gem Breakfast kitchen is always open.
If you’re already picturing it… this is your sign.
Your Old Gold Questions, Answered
Can I use old gold to pay for a custom ring?
Old gold can definitely help — just not directly. Most people sell or trade their gold elsewhere, then use that cash value toward a custom project.
Does selling old gold lower the cost of a custom engagement ring?
It can help offset the cost, but it usually won’t cover the full price of a custom piece. Think of it as a helpful boost rather than a full payment plan.
How much is scrap gold usually worth?
That depends on a few factors: karat, weight, and the current gold market. Offers can vary by buyer, so getting more than one quote is always a good idea.
Does Gem Breakfast accept or reuse client gold?
We don’t. Gem Breakfast doesn’t melt down or refine client gold, but many clients sell their old pieces elsewhere and use that value toward a custom ring with us.
What’s helpful to have figured out before starting a custom ring?
A rough budget range goes a long way — and if you’re thinking about using old gold to help fund the project, having a sense of that number ahead of time makes the whole thing feel smoother. After that, it’s all about design and vibes: we kick things off with a fun consult, help you source stones you love, design the setting, and bring the whole vision to life with a one-of-a-kind ring you’re obsessed with.