What is 18ct Gold?
18 carat gold alloy contains 75% pure gold mixed with 25% other metals, such as copper, silver, or palladium. The 'carat' system measures the purity of gold, with 24 carat being pure gold. At 18 carats, the alloy strikes a balance between the beauty of gold and increased durability from other metals, making it more resistant to scratches and wear than pure gold. This durability and rich colour make 18ct gold a popular choice for high-quality jewellery, as it retains much of gold's natural lustre while being suitable for everyday wear.
In locations such as Dubai and the Far East, 18-carat gold is generally considered the minimum acceptable purity for jewellery, with lower grades viewed as inferior.
How much is 18ct gold worth per gram today?
Right now, on 20th April 2025, the live market 'spot' price for 18ct gold is £60.39/g. Beware of any company that only quotes you the spot price - you won't be offered this rate, and if it's the only rate quoted, you're at risk of being short-changed.
Today, Gold-Traders UK will pay you £54.83/g for 18-carat gold. That’s our live rate: the figure updates automatically when we adjust our prices.
Whether you post your gold to us or visit our secure counter in Royal Wootton Bassett, we'll pay you the same per gram. There are no deductions to worry about and no hidden fees: the price you see is the price you get. Our rates are based on the real-time, global gold bullion market which can fluctuate up and down. You can see the live 'spot' price for gold and other precious metals at the top of every page. We've seen quotes from other companies for as little as 20% of the market value of our customer's 18ct gold. They could have made hundreds or even thousands of pounds more if they had sold our gold to us. Did you get a quote from another buyer? Insist on a breakdown of the quote and calculate the real value of your gold using our fact-checking tool. Enter the weight of your gold and the price you've been offered to see how the numbers stack up. If you're being offered less than 90%, then it pays to go elsewhere.
Types of 18ct Gold
Whilst all 18-carat gold consists of 75% by weight of pure gold, changing the alloy mix of the remaining 25% can alter the item's colour. The other metals used are typically copper, zinc, silver and palladium. Common colours of 18ct gold are:
- 18ct yellow gold
- 18ct rose gold
- 18ct white gold
18 carat Hallmarks
Depending on the age of the item, the hallmark on an item of 18ct jewellery purchased in the UK will typically carry one of the following stamps.
Use our useful gold hallmark wizard to determine how old your item is.
How much is an 18-carat gold ring worth?
The value of 18ct gold jewellery is based on two factors:
- The gold 'spot' price at the time you sell
- The weight of the item in grams, minus any stones or non-gold parts
Our current price for 18ct gold is £54.83/g.
All you need to do is multiply this figure by the weight of your ring to get the price we'll pay for it today. This simple equation applies to jewellery, some gold watches (minus their movement) and even dental gold. It doesn't matter if the item is broken or damaged: if it's made from 18ct gold, it's still valuable. Certain jewellery items, watches or other collectables like coins might be worth more than their gold value. We pay a premium for prestige watches and gold coins, so check out our rates or contact us for a quote.
How to identify 18ct gold
How do you know if your gold is really 18 carat? Modern jewellery made in the UK will display a hallmark, which can tell you exactly what your gold jewellery is made of. Hallmarks are the tiny stamps you see on the inside of rings or the backs of earrings. They're a type of consumer protection, designed to assure buyers they're getting what they pay for. Hallmarked British 18ct gold should display a tiny ‘750’ or '18'. You can confirm the purity of your gold and work out the precise year it was made by using our online hallmark identification wizard. Different numbers and symbols might be used if you bought your gold abroad or it might show no hallmarks at all. You can still sell this gold, but it can be challenging to check its carat at home. In the Gold-Traders office, we used a high-tech tabletop XRF analysis to test the chemical composition of our customers' items. This means we can easily authenticate your unmarked gold and we'll let you know if it's more or less pure than you thought, ensuring an honest and accurate appraisal.
Don't get ripped off with 'free' envelopes
So, you've worked out the real value of your 18ct gold and got a good quote. How are you going to get your precious metal to the buyer? Some cash-for-gold companies will send you a 'free' postage bag or envelope. These are a marketing gimmick. We don't offer them. These pre-paid mailers don't provide any additional protection for your items when they're in transit and the price will be deducted from your payout. Most of these postage packs aren't used and the big gold-buying companies recoup the associated costs by paying low prices for their customer's gold. You can save money by using your own padded 'jiffy' envelope (we're happy to receive recycled and repurposed packing materials, so long as you use a Special Delivery outer bag). Choose Royal Mail Special Delivery at the Post Office and retain your proof of postage slip. This service provides insurance and you'll be able to track your gold every step of the way.
Selling your 18ct gold with Gold-Traders UK
We founded Gold-Traders in 2008 to make selling gold straightforward. We want to demystify the process and lift the lid on unscrupulous practices but most importantly we want our customers to get a fair price. That's why we share our live gold prices, telling you exactly what we'll pay for 18ct gold and other gold items. In 2022 our hard work was rewarded when we became the UK's first precious metal dealer to gain Trading Standards approval through their trusted Buy With Confidence Scheme. There are many independent reviews for Gold-Traders on their website and even more on our Trustpilot page from customers like you who have sold us their scrap gold. Ready to cash in your 18-carat? Fill out a claim form online today. All you need to do is post your gold to us and you could get a payout the next working day. No hidden fees and no uncertainty. Looking for more information? Contact our friendly team now: they're waiting to help you with your sale
