Full Transparency · No Guessing · No Lowballs
How We Price Gold & Silver
Most gold buyers hope you don't ask questions. We built our business on the opposite approach: every number shown to you, every calculation explained, every offer justified by the live market price. Here's exactly how it works.
The Formula
Three Numbers.
One Transparent Offer.
Gold pricing isn't complicated — but most buyers prefer you don't know how it works. The formula is simple: karat purity × weight × live spot price = melt value. We pay you a percentage of that melt value, shown openly before any offer is made.
Here's an example. You bring in a 14K gold ring that weighs 5 grams. Gold spot price is $3,200/troy oz.
- Step 1 — Purity: 14K = 58.3% pure gold (14 ÷ 24 = 0.583)
- Step 2 — Weight: 5 grams = 0.1608 troy ounces
- Step 3 — Spot price: $3,200/oz × 0.583 purity × 0.1608 oz = melt value ~$299
- Step 4 — Our offer: 85% of $299 = ~$254 cash in hand
A pawn shop running the same calculation would offer 50–55%: around $150–$165. That's $90–$100 less — for the same ring, same day. On larger pieces, the difference grows.
Quick Payout Calculator
Estimate your item's value at $3,200/oz spot:
| Karat | Purity | Per Gram (85%) |
|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.7% | ~$37 |
| 14K | 58.3% | ~$51 |
| 18K | 75.0% | ~$66 |
| 22K | 91.7% | ~$81 |
| 24K | 99.9% | ~$88 |
*Estimates based on $3,200/oz spot. Actual offers use live price at time of sale. Call (623) 974-3772 for current rates.
How We Test Your Gold
XRF Technology — Exact Purity, Not Guesses
The testing equipment we use is the same technology professional refineries use worldwide.
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
Our XRF analyzer directs X-rays at your item and reads the fluorescent energy bounced back. Each element has a unique signature — so the machine tells us the exact percentage of gold, silver, copper, and other metals in seconds. No damage to your piece. No guessing.
Why XRF Beats Acid Testing
Many pawn shops use acid testing — scratching the piece on a stone and applying acid to estimate karat. It's imprecise, can undervalue mixed alloys, and misses gold-plated items. XRF tells us the exact composition of every layer without touching a surface. More accurate = better offer.
Certified Scales
Weight is the second variable in every offer. We use calibrated scales accurate to 0.01 grams — certified and regularly maintained. Gold is weighed in troy ounces (31.1 grams/oz). You watch the reading. There are no hidden adjustments.
Live Spot Price
Gold spot price fluctuates by the minute. We use the live market rate at the exact moment of your transaction — not yesterday's price, not an average. The current price is visible on our screen throughout the evaluation.
The Real Numbers
What Different Buyers Pay on the Same Item
Here's what a typical 14K gold necklace (8 grams) nets you at different buyers — at $3,200/oz spot:
| Buyer Type | % of Melt Value | Cash Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Pawn shop | 40–50% | $96–$121 |
| Mall kiosk / "We Buy Gold" shop | 55–65% | $133–$157 |
| Jewelry store | 50–60% | $121–$145 |
| YML Refinery | 80–90% | $193–$217 |
*Ranges are typical market estimates. Melt value for 8g 14K gold at $3,200/oz = ~$241. Actual offers vary by condition and quantity.
Item-by-Item Pricing
How We Price Each Type of Item
Gold Jewelry
XRF-tested for exact karat. Weighed in troy ounces. Offer = karat purity × weight × spot × 85%. Condition doesn't change the purity — broken, bent, or missing stones doesn't reduce the gold content. We still pay full melt value.
Silver
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure. Coin silver is 90%. We test all silver items and pay against the live silver spot price. Flatware sets, tea services, and jewelry all welcome. Sterling typically earns $0.75–$0.90 per gram at current prices.
Gold & Silver Coins
U.S. pre-1965 silver coins (dimes, quarters, halves) are 90% silver — we pay spot-based values. Gold Eagles and Maple Leafs earn spot or above. Rare or key-date coins are assessed numismatically — collector value can exceed melt value substantially.
Diamonds & Fine Jewelry
We evaluate diamonds for cut, color, clarity, and carat — the 4Cs. A high-quality stone is worth far more than the gold weight of its setting. We separate stone value from metal value and offer on both. Some diamonds qualify for resale premiums over melt.
Luxury Watches
Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and other luxury timepieces are assessed by brand, model, reference number, condition, and current secondary market pricing. A Rolex Submariner may be worth 3–10× its gold content. We use current market data for every evaluation.
Dental Gold
Dental gold is typically 10K–18K and often comes in small pieces. We accept it all. Test it, weigh it, pay you immediately. Bring it in any form — crowns, bridges, old fillings, or dental scrap. Every gram counts at our rates.
Before You Come In
What to Bring and What to Expect
Selling gold at YML Refinery is straightforward. Here's what to know before your visit:
- Valid photo ID required — Arizona law requires a government-issued ID for all precious metals transactions. Driver's license, passport, or state ID all work.
- Bring everything you have — even items you're unsure about. We'll test them and tell you honestly whether they're gold, silver, gold-filled, or gold-plated. No obligation to sell anything.
- No appointment needed — Walk in Mon–Sat 9am–5pm. Large collections or estate items: call ahead at (623) 974-3772 so we can allocate time.
- Call for a phone estimate first — Describe your items and we'll give you a ballpark before you drive. If we think our offer won't be worth your trip, we'll tell you.
- Payment is cash on the spot — No checks, no ACH, no waiting. Cash in hand before you leave.
What We Do NOT Buy
To avoid a wasted trip, note that we don't purchase:
- Gold-plated or gold-filled items (not solid gold)
- Costume jewelry with no precious metal content
- Stainless steel or tungsten rings
- Items without proper ID from the seller
Not sure if your item qualifies? Call us at (623) 974-3772. We're happy to help you figure it out before you make the drive.
Estate collections welcome. If you're handling an estate with coins, jewelry, silver flatware, or watches, call ahead. We make house calls for large estates in the greater Phoenix metro area.
Pricing FAQ
Your Questions Answered
Every offer starts with three numbers: (1) the exact karat purity tested by XRF equipment, (2) the weight in troy ounces on certified scales, and (3) the live gold spot price at the moment you're in our shop. We multiply these together to get melt value, then pay you 80–90% of that number — in cash, on the spot. You see every calculation before we make an offer.
We pay 80–90% of melt value depending on item type and quantity. Fine jewelry and bullion typically earn closer to 90%. Broken or damaged pieces may be closer to 80%. Either way, our rates are significantly higher than the 40–60% pawn shops typically pay.
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) testing uses X-rays to determine the exact elemental composition of a metal without damaging it. It tells us precisely whether a ring is 14K (58.3% pure gold) or 18K (75% pure gold) — instantly and accurately. This means our offers are based on facts, not guesses. Many pawn shops use acid testing, which is less accurate and can miss plating or mixed alloys.
Pawn shops buy gold as a secondary business — they need wide margins because they're also managing loans, reselling electronics, and running a general store. Their offers are typically 40–60% of melt value. YML Refinery's entire business is precious metals, so our overhead is lower and we can pay more: 80–90% of melt value on most items.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (required by Arizona law for all precious metals purchases) and your items in any condition. We buy gold regardless of whether it's broken, tangled, missing stones, or damaged. No appointment necessary — walk in Mon–Sat 9am–5pm.
Get an Honest Offer — No Pressure
Call (623) 974-3772 for a phone estimate or walk in Mon–Sat 9am–5pm. We'll test your items, show you every number, and make a fair offer. No obligation.