Metals · Au

Gold

Updated October 16, 2026

Element

Au, atomic number 79

Density

19.3 g/cm³: a gold ring feels heavy

Pure gold

24K, too soft for most jewellery

Biggest producers (2023)

China, Russia and Australia, of about 3,000 tonnes mined worldwide

Karats: how much gold is in it

A karat is a 24th part. 24K is pure; 22K is 91.7% gold and common in India and the Middle East; 18K (75%) is rich and soft; 14K (58.3%, stamped "585") is the everyday standard in the US; 10K (41.7%, stamped "417") is the lowest that can legally be sold as karat gold in the US. More gold means a deeper yellow and a softer metal.

Yellow, white and rose gold

The colour comes from what gold is mixed with. Yellow gold uses silver and copper. Rose gold uses more copper. White gold uses palladium or nickel and is almost always plated with rhodium to look bright white; the plating wears and needs redoing every few years. If nickel bothers your skin, choose yellow gold, palladium white gold or platinum.

Solid, vermeil, gold filled, gold plated

Solid gold is gold alloy all the way through. Vermeil is gold at least 2.5 microns thick over sterling silver. Gold filled is a thick layer of gold bonded to brass or copper, at least 1/20 of the weight. Gold plated is a thin skin, often under a micron, usually over brass. We only show solid gold here; vermeil, gold filled and plated pieces are compared on our metals comparison, and gold plated brass lives on the brass page.

The oldest worked gold

The oldest worked gold yet found was buried in the cemetery at Varna on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, in graves from the fifth millennium BC. Gold has been hoarded ever since because it does not corrode: a gold coin from a shipwreck comes up as bright as the day it sank.

Gold you can hold: coins, bars and nuggets

The purest gold on Amazon is not jewellery. Each card shows how much pure gold is inside, what that gold is worth at today's live price, and how much more the asking price is. Small coins and 1 gram bars always cost well over their gold value; that extra is the dealer's premium.

Coins

American Gold Buffalo, 1 oz, PCGS graded Gem Uncirculated 24K.9999 finerandom year 4.6 stars, 44 ratings Gold inside31.103 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $5,618Premium… See it on Amazon → American Gold Buffalo, 1 oz, proof 24K.9999 fineproof finish 4.2 stars, 7 ratings Gold inside31.103 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $6,823Premium… See it on Amazon → South African Krugerrand, 1 oz, PCGS graded Gem Uncirculated 22K1 oz of goldrandom year 4.3 stars, 13 ratings Gold inside31.103 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $5,345Premium… See it on Amazon → American Gold Eagle, 1/10 oz, 2025 22K1/10 oz of gold 4.5 stars, 14 ratings Gold inside3.11 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $758Premium… See it on Amazon → American Gold Eagle, 1/10 oz, random year 22K1/10 oz of gold 4.1 stars, 96 ratings Gold inside3.11 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $758Premium… See it on Amazon → American Gold Eagle, 1/10 oz, 2026 22K1/10 oz of gold 4.4 stars, 4 ratings Gold inside3.11 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $700Premium… See it on Amazon → French 20 francs "Rooster", 1899 to 1914 90% gold6.45 g coinover a century old 4.4 stars, 10 ratings Gold inside5.806 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $1,009Premium… See it on Amazon → Medieval Sicily gold tari of William I, 1154 to 1166, NGC MS-62 NGC certifiedabout 870 years old no reviews on Amazon yet Asking priceabout $2,095 See it on Amazon →

Bars

PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna 1 gram gold bar .9999 finesealed assay card 4.5 stars, 56 ratings Gold inside1 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $260Premium… See it on Amazon → Valcambi 1 gram gold bar in assay .9999 finesealed assay card 4.3 stars, 46 ratings Gold inside1 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $250Premium… See it on Amazon → Perth Mint 1 gram gold bar in assay .9999 finesealed assay card 4.2 stars, 30 ratings Gold inside1 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $270Premium… See it on Amazon → Monarch Precious Metals Tall Ship 1 gram gold round fine goldin a capsule 5 stars, 4 ratings Gold inside1 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $206Premium… See it on Amazon →

Natural gold nuggets

Nuggets by Grant: Alaska, Yukon and BC placer gold, 2 grams #4 mesh nuggets2 g total 5 stars, 5 ratings Gold inside1.7 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $477Premium… See it on Amazon → Nuggets by Grant: natural gold nugget, 0.32 g 0.32 g nugget 4.5 stars, 68 ratings Gold inside0.27 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $80Premium… See it on Amazon → Nuggets by Grant: natural gold nugget, 0.29 g 0.29 g nugget 4.6 stars, 35 ratings Gold inside0.25 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $73Premium… See it on Amazon → Nuggets by Grant: natural gold nugget, 0.16 g 0.16 g nugget 4.3 stars, 25 ratings Gold inside0.14 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $44Premium… See it on Amazon → Nuggets by Grant: natural gold nugget, 0.09 g 0.09 g nugget 4.3 stars, 25 ratings Gold inside0.08 gGold value today…Asking priceabout $28Premium… See it on Amazon → Bobby Nugget gold paydirt: pan your own gold a bag of gold-bearing gravelgold guaranteed by the seller 4.5 stars, 96 ratings Asking priceabout $64 See it on Amazon →

Natural nuggets are not pure gold: placer gold from Alaska and the Yukon is usually about 80 to 90% gold, the rest mostly silver, so we count 85%. Collectors also pay for a nugget's shape, so nuggets sell well above their gold value. Graded coins (PCGS, NGC) and proofs cost more again for their condition. For the most gold per dollar, larger bullion coins and bars carry the smallest premium.

Real gold pieces on Amazon

Each listing's own metal details were read on October 16, 2026 and match the title; we show its star rating, and leave out anything under 4 stars. Prices change, so the link goes to the live listing.

24K and 22K gold

Pure gold jewellery, the way it is worn in China, India and the Gulf. Soft, so it dents and scratches more easily, but it is almost all gold.

Chow Tai Fook 24K gold four-leaf clover pendant 24K gold about $430 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → Chow Sang Sang 999 24K gold four-leaf clover necklace with diamond 18.5 in chain4.15 g 999 (24K) gold about $1,480 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon →

Cuban and curb chains

The classic heavy link. "Lightweight" links are thinner and partly hollow, so they weigh less for the same width.

SHOP WGS 14K solid gold Cuban chain, 3 mm 14K3 mm18 in5.3 g about $800 · 4.2 stars, 27 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold Cuban curb chain, 2.5 mm 14K2.5 mm18 in4.1 g about $630 · 4 stars, 39 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 10K gold Cuban curb chain, 3.5 mm 10K3.5 mm20 in3.4 g about $450 · 4 stars, 55 ratings See it on Amazon → SHOP WGS 10K solid gold Miami Cuban chain, 3 mm 10K3 mm20 in about $1,380 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold Miami Cuban chain, 5.7 mm, hollow links 14K5.7 mm24 in12 g Hollow links: the listing says so. Same look, far less gold, and hollow links can dent about $1,840 · 4.2 stars, 14 ratings See it on Amazon → 10K solid gold Miami Cuban chain, 4 mm, made in Italy 10K4 mm22 in25 g about $2,280 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold Cuban curb chain, 7.5 mm 14K7.5 mm20 in17.4 g about $2,380 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold Miami Cuban chain, 6.5 mm, made in Italy, hollow links 14K6.5 mm20 in20.8 g Hollow links: the listing says so. Same look, far less gold, and hollow links can dent about $2,965 · 4.3 stars, 70 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold Miami Cuban chain, 3.5 mm 14K3.5 mm24 in21.5 g about $3,000 · 4.1 stars, 8 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold Miami Cuban chain, 4 mm 14K4 mm20 in24 g about $3,030 · 4.1 stars, 8 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold Miami Cuban chain, 4 mm, made in Italy 14K4 mm24 in30.6 g about $3,740 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → Nuragold 10K solid gold Miami Cuban chain, 10 mm 10K10 mm20 in133.7 g The heavyweight: over 130 g of gold about $11,980 · 4.6 stars, 9 ratings See it on Amazon →

Rope chains

Twisted strands that catch the light; "diamond cut" means the surface is faceted to sparkle.

10K gold rope chain, 1.5 mm 10K1.5 mm18 in about $160 · 4.1 stars, 510 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold diamond-cut rope chain, 2 mm 14K2 mm20 in about $280 · 4.7 stars, 43 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 10K gold lightweight rope chain, 3 mm 10K3 mm18 in3.1 g Lightweight rope about $420 · 4.1 stars, 175 ratings See it on Amazon → Galaxy Gold 10K solid gold diamond-cut rope chain, 2 mm, made in USA 10K2 mm20 in5.7 g about $690 · 5 stars, 4 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold rope chain, 2 mm 14K2 mm24 in8.9 g about $1,170 · 4.3 stars, 31 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold rope chain, 3 mm, made in Italy 14K3 mm22 in14.6 g about $1,820 · 4.5 stars, 255 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold diamond-cut rope chain, 4 mm 14K4 mm22 in26.5 g about $3,230 · 4.5 stars, 8 ratings See it on Amazon →

Figaro, franco and box chains

Figaro alternates long and short links; franco is a tight, square, very strong link; box chains are tiny square links.

SHOP WGS 14K solid gold figaro chain, 2 mm 14K2 mm20 in1.9 g about $320 · 4 stars, 31 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold figaro chain, 4.5 mm, hollow links 14K4.5 mm20 in5.5 g Hollow links: the listing says so. Same look, far less gold, and hollow links can dent about $860 · 4.4 stars, 16 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold figaro chain, 4.5 mm 14K4.5 mm22 in6.2 g about $955 · 4.2 stars, 36 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold figaro chain, 5.5 mm 14K5.5 mm26 in20.4 g about $2,710 · 4.2 stars, 3 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 10K gold franco chain, 2.5 mm, hollow links 10K2.5 mm22 in5.2 g Hollow links: the listing says so. Same look, far less gold, and hollow links can dent about $635 · 4.8 stars, 5 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold franco chain, 1.5 mm, made in Italy 14K1.5 mm24 in6.4 g about $860 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → LoveBling 14K solid gold diamond-cut franco chain, 1.5 mm 14K1.5 mm20 in about $970 · 5 stars, 3 ratings See it on Amazon → Italian 14K solid gold diamond-cut franco chain, 2 mm 14K2 mm24 in13.4 g about $1,740 · 5 stars, 2 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K solid gold franco chain, 2 mm 14K2 mm22 in13.1 g about $1,840 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold box chain, 1 mm 14K1 mm20 in about $200 · 5 stars, 5 ratings See it on Amazon → IGOBATA 14K solid gold box chain, 1.1 mm 14K1.1 mm20 in about $150 · 4.4 stars, 68 ratings See it on Amazon → GOLDPAR 14K solid gold box chain, 1.05 mm 14K1.05 mm18 in about $140 · 4.3 stars, 15 ratings See it on Amazon → DIFINES 14K solid gold box chain, 2 mm 14K2 mm18 in about $360 · 4.5 stars, 52 ratings See it on Amazon →

Fine chains: wheat, rolo, snake, Singapore, paperclip, mariner and herringbone

Dainty everyday chains and the classic styles for a pendant.

JEWELHEART 14K solid gold Singapore chain, 0.8 mm 14K0.8 mm18 in0.43 g about $115 · 4 stars, 6 ratings See it on Amazon → IGOBATA 14K solid gold Singapore chain, 1 mm 14K1 mm14 in about $95 · 4.1 stars, 17 ratings See it on Amazon → SPETLEK 14K solid gold Singapore chain, 0.9 mm 14K0.9 mm20 in about $105 · 4.5 stars, 42 ratings See it on Amazon → MONVAU 14K gold Singapore chain, 1.1 mm 14K1.1 mm24 in about $130 · 4 stars, 47 ratings See it on Amazon → EVAYA 14K solid gold diamond-cut Singapore chain, 1.5 mm 14K1.5 mm14 in1.2 g about $320 · 4.5 stars, 84 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold diamond-cut rolo chain, 1.2 mm 14K1.2 mm20 in1.2 g about $220 · 4.3 stars, 328 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold square wheat chain, 0.8 mm 14K0.8 mm18 in about $260 · 4.1 stars, 958 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold braided wheat chain, 1 mm 14K1 mm18 in about $285 · 4.1 stars, 621 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold flat open wheat chain, 1.5 mm 14K1.5 mm20 in about $300 · 4.2 stars, 855 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K solid gold round snake chain, 0.8 mm 14K0.8 mm18 in about $410 · 4.2 stars, 108 ratings See it on Amazon → JEWELHEART 14K gold flat mariner chain, 1.5 mm 14K1.5 mm20 in1.4 g about $270 · 5 stars, 4 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K gold polished paperclip chain, 3.2 mm 14K3.2 mm16 in3.2 g about $395 · 4.3 stars, 177 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold paperclip chain, 3 mm, hollow links 14K3 mm18 in3.3 g Hollow links: the listing says so. Same look, far less gold, and hollow links can dent about $560 · 5 stars, 5 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold herringbone chain, 3 mm 14K3 mm18 in3.8 g about $620 · 4 stars, 34 ratings See it on Amazon → Floreo 14K solid gold herringbone chain, 3 mm 14K3 mm16 in about $570 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → Jewelry Affairs 14K solid gold imperial herringbone, 6 mm 14K6 mm24 in16 g about $4,210 · 4.2 stars, 42 ratings See it on Amazon →

Bracelets

Cuban links, a mariner and a bangle in solid gold.

Nuragold 14K gold Miami Cuban bracelet, 4.5 mm, hollow links 14K4.5 mm7.5 in4.8 g Hollow links: the listing says so. Same look, far less gold, and hollow links can dent about $780 · 5 stars, 2 ratings See it on Amazon → Nuragold 14K gold Miami Cuban bracelet, 5.5 mm, hollow links 14K5.5 mm7.5 in8.1 g Hollow links: the listing says so. Same look, far less gold, and hollow links can dent about $1,210 · 4.2 stars, 14 ratings See it on Amazon → IceCarats 14K gold Miami Cuban bracelet, 6.75 mm, semi-solid 14K6.75 mm7 in Semi-solid links about $2,130 · 5 stars, 6 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K tri-colour gold Valentino mariner bracelet, 5 mm 14K5 mm9 in6.9 g Yellow, white and rose gold about $940 · no reviews on Amazon yet See it on Amazon → forme di Lucchetta 14K solid gold bangle 14K7 in2.4 g about $435 · 4.2 stars, 63 ratings See it on Amazon →

Earrings, rings and pendants

Hoops, studs, bands, signet and nugget rings, crosses and initials.

14K yellow gold polished hoops, 12 mm 14K12 mm across about $105 · 4.5 stars, 6,894 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K yellow gold polished hoops, 20 mm 14K20 mm across2 mm tube about $160 · 4.5 stars, 6,894 ratings See it on Amazon → YUVOLA 14K yellow gold hoops, 16 mm 14K16 mm across2 mm thick about $93 · 4.7 stars, 61 ratings See it on Amazon → 14K gold hand-engraved diamond-cut hoops 14K13 mm across2 mm tube about $110 · 4.3 stars, 2,570 ratings See it on Amazon → PORI 14K solid gold ball studs, 3 pairs 14K3, 4 and 5 mm about $80 · 4.3 stars, 6,091 ratings See it on Amazon → 10K gold 2 mm dome wedding band 10K2 mm wide about $80 · 4.1 stars, 604 ratings See it on Amazon → 10K solid gold classic wedding band, 4 mm 10K4 mm wide about $330 · 4.4 stars, 788 ratings See it on Amazon → Men's 10K solid gold classic wedding band, 5 mm 10K5 mm wide about $395 · 4.2 stars, 919 ratings See it on Amazon → DECADENCE 10K gold 3 mm wedding band 10K3 mm wide1.44 g (size 7.5) about $270 · 4.2 stars, 785 ratings See it on Amazon → 10K solid gold thin nugget ring 10K2.3 g about $240 · 4.1 stars, 156 ratings See it on Amazon → Floreo 10K gold square nugget ring 10K14.8 mm face4.9 g about $510 · 4 stars, 52 ratings See it on Amazon → IceCarats 14K solid gold oval signet ring 14K21 mm face about $550 · 4.6 stars, 7 ratings See it on Amazon → Wellingsale men's 14K solid gold engravable signet ring 14K7.5 g about $890 · 5 stars, 2 ratings See it on Amazon → JEWELHEART 14K gold small cross pendant 14K12 mm about $120 · 4.2 stars, 55 ratings See it on Amazon → JEWELHEART 14K gold beveled cross pendant, 34 mm 14K34 mm about $320 · 4.5 stars, 39 ratings See it on Amazon → Wish Carat 14K real gold initial necklace 14K18 in2 g about $270 · 4.1 stars, 41 ratings See it on Amazon → OAK & LUNA 14K solid gold initial necklace with diamonds 14K14 + 2 in Diamond accents about $300 · 4.2 stars, 10 ratings See it on Amazon →

Sources

• USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024: gold
• US FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR 23.3 to 23.5 (gold, vermeil, silver)
• Varna Necropolis (Wikipedia)
• Colored gold (Wikipedia)