Items are weighed on precise scales, typically in grams or pennyweights.

This is the current international market price for pure gold, which fluctuates daily.

Pawn shops primarily value gold based on its —the raw value of the metal if it were melted down—rather than what you originally paid at retail.

If a piece of jewelry is in excellent condition or comes from a high-end brand like Cartier or Tiffany , a shop might offer slightly more than scrap value. The Payout: What to Expect