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How Much Is a 10K Gold Chain Worth? Gold Chain Price Guide

on Apr 30, 2024

The price of gold chains heavily depends on gold purity. In fact, 10K gold chains are the most affordable types of chains available on the market. Although the purity of 10K gold chains is low, they are exceptionally durable and ideal for individuals with an active lifestyle.


But how much is a 10K gold chain worth? What should you expect to pay when buying one?


While there are no fixed prices when it comes to gold jewelry, determining the market value of a gold chain is quite straightforward. You just need to consider a few factors, such as the gold market price, gold purity, chain weight and design, jeweler’s expertise, and resale value.


In this gold chain price guide, we explain what a 10K gold alloy is and discuss the aspects to keep in mind when determining the price of 10K gold chains. You’ll also find some exclusive gold chains from IceCartel, ranging from plain chains to those iced out with moissanite diamonds. 

What Is 10K Gold?

The purity of gold alloys, also known as the karat weight, denotes the purity and composition of a given alloy.


10K gold is the lowest purity solid gold alloy used in jewelry. Only 41.7% of 10K gold alloy is pure 24K gold, whereas the remaining 58.3% is composed of other metals, such as silver, zinc, nickel, copper, palladium, and more.


As 10K gold contains the least amount of pure 24K gold, it has the most pale yellow color when compared to higher-purity gold alloys.


While the purity of 10K gold is low, it’s the strongest and most scratch-resistant gold alloy. However, 10K gold is subject to tarnishing and discoloration due to the reactive nature of the metals used to make the alloy. 

Determining the Value of a 10K Gold Chain

how much is a 10 karat gold necklace worth

Evidently, 10K gold chains have the lowest value among the other types of gold chains, including 14K, 18K, and 22K gold chains. Still, various factors influence the price of a 10K gold chain, including but not limited to the current gold price, chain design, its weight, resale value, and the overall condition.


If you’re wondering how much a 10K gold chain is worth, here’s everything you need to know to determine its price. 

Market Price of 10K Gold

Despite the fact that 10K gold chains have a low purity, considering the current market price of pure 24K gold is essential. As gold prices fluctuate, the cost of a 10K gold chain heavily depends on the live price changes.


Therefore, you should always refer to the current market price of gold to set the price for your gold chain accordingly. This will also help you get a better idea of the prices to expect when buying a gold chain. 

10K Gold Purity

how much is 10k gold

The purity of gold is one of the most important factors that affect the price of gold chains. 10K gold is a low-purity alloy, meaning that the chains made of 10K gold cost significantly less than those made of 14K or 18K gold.


To determine how much a 10K gold necklace is worth, you should first weigh the chain. As 10K gold consists of 41.7% pure gold, you can calculate the amount of 24K gold in your chain based on its weight.


Let’s say your 10K gold chain weighs 85 grams and the current market price of pure gold is $75. The amount of pure 24K gold in an 85-gram 10K gold chain is 35.445 grams. If 1 gram of pure gold costs $75, the market price of your 10K gold chain weighing 85 grams is $2,658.375.


Keep in mind that we’ve ignored other factors here. The price was calculated based on the weight of a 10K gold alloy used for making an 85-gram chain. The actual price of the gold chain will also depend on the aspects we discuss below. 

Total Weight of the Chain

The weight of a gold chain is one of the most influential factors that indicate its value. In general, heavier chains are made of more gold and, therefore, cost more.


However, it’s important to note that some lightweight gold chains may have a higher value due to featuring a rare design or precious elements.

Chain Design Complexity

While gold chains made of 10K gold are quite affordable, intricate details incorporated in a complex design can significantly increase the price. This is because designing and crafting an exclusive gold chain takes more time and effort than creating a basic one with no unique features.


Undoubtedly, plain 10K gold chains are cheaper than those with unique embellishments, so it’s important to consider the overall design complexity of a gold chain when evaluating its value.

Jeweler’s or Brand Reputation

The price of a 10K gold chain also depends on the level of expertise and reputation of a jeweler or brand. While the 10K gold alloy is the cheapest option, the quality of work will still have a significant impact on the chain’s value.


Jewelers with years of experience in this field often charge more as they offer flawless work and noteworthy designs. The same applies to brands that specialize in gold jewelry, especially luxury ones. The prices are much higher, even when compared to the most reputable and reliable jewelers. 

Resale Value

Despite the fact that 10K gold chains are of the lowest purity, they still have a resale value that affects the price.


One-of-a-kind 10K gold chains or those sold by luxury brands often have a much higher resale value than mass-produced gold necklaces.


Additionally, 10K gold chains that hold cultural significance may also have a high resale value and, therefore, cost more.

Chain Condition

The condition of a 10K gold chain is a crucial factor when selling or buying pre-owned gold chains.


10K gold chains in perfect condition typically cost about 80-90% of the original price.


When it comes to 10K gold chains with minor signs of wear and tear, the price decreases by another 15-20%.


If a used gold chain shows some major dents, scuffs, and scratches, then the price will be determined based on the amount of pure gold in the chain. It’s 41.7% of the total chain weight in the case of 10K gold chains.

Presence of Gemstones

As the price of low-purity gold alloys is low, precious gemstones, such as diamonds, are rarely used when crafting 10K gold chains.


However, some jewelers may still incorporate precious and semi-precious crystals into the 10K gold chain design, increasing its price and resale value.


That being said, you should always check the preciousness of gemstones present in a gold chain to determine the resale value and market price.

Buy Gold Chains from Icecartel

Icecartel is dedicated to providing the highest-quality gold chains in all price categories. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious gold chain iced out with moissanite flawless diamonds or you want to buy an affordable gold chain with exceptional luster and durability, Icecartel is the most reliable online destination for buying gold jewelry.


While the majority of gold chains from Icecartel’s collection are made of 14K gold, they offer custom chain-making services, allowing you to fully customize the necklace to your liking.


Here are some exclusive gold chains from Icecartel that you can customize and use 10K gold as a budget-friendly alternative to 14K gold.

10MM Cuban Link Chain 14K Yellow Gold

This Icecartel exclusive gold chain features a sleek design that adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to any look. Available in solid gold or gold-plated sterling silver, the chain is an excellent option for daily wear and formal events. 


The box clasp is decorated with round cut, colorless moissanite flawless diamonds, making the chain not only more secure but also luxurious. 

20MM Prong Moissanite Miami Cuban Link Chain

If you’re looking for a chunky gold chain with a minimalistic design, this Cuban link chain is for you. Made of solid gold or gold-plated sterling silver, the chain has an impressive luster that won’t go unnoticed. 


This 20MM cuban link chain is one of our premium products that adds great elegance to your style!


If you’re on a tight budget, consider customizing the chain and using 10K solid gold instead of 14K gold. 

23MM Iced Out Diamond Prong Cuban Link Chain

For anyone who adores large and attention-grabbing necklaces, Icecartel offers an exclusive gold chain iced out with moissanite diamonds. 


At 20 inches, the gold-plated version of the chain weighs exactly 633.4 grams, making it an actual statement piece. 


If you want to get this exquisite gold chain in 10K gold, get a free quote from Icecartel and start designing your dream necklace. 

Conclusion

10K gold is the lowest purity gold alloy that has a lower price but enhanced strength and scratch-resistance than 14K gold alloys and above.


While 10K gold chains are significantly cheaper than those made of higher-karat gold alloys, the price still heavily depends on various factors. These include the current market value of gold, gold purity, chain weight, design intricacy, brand reputation, jeweler’s expertise, resale value, and the addition of any precious or semi-precious gemstones.


Although 10K gold chains are made of low-purity gold alloys, they are still ideal for individuals with an active lifestyle or those shopping on a shoestring budget. 

Joosep Seitam

Joosep Seitam

Joosep was born in Tallinn, Estonia - a small country in northern Europe. He is an entrepreneur and one of the co-founders of Icecartel. Joosep has been in the jewelry industry since 2019, the year when he started the brand from scratch. During these years, Joosep has learned everything there is about the jewelry industry and he's here to share it all!

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