Understanding Gold Purity – A Simple Guide from Your Trusted Amarillo Gold Buyers

If you’re thinking about selling your gold jewelry, coins, or scrap gold in Amarillo, it’s important to understand what your items are really made of.

At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers (www.lonestargoldandsilverbuyers.com), we make the process simple, honest, and educational — so you never feel left in the dark.

Here’s what you should know about gold purity, karats, and how it affects the value of your gold.

What Does “Karat” Mean?

Since ancient times, gold purity has been measured in karats (K). Pure gold is 24K, meaning all 24 parts are gold. Lower karats mean the gold is mixed with other metals for added strength.

Common gold purities include:

• 24K – 100% pure gold
• 22K – 91.6% gold
• 18K – 75% gold
• 14K – 58.3% gold
• 10K – 41.7% gold (the legal minimum to be called “gold” in the U.S.)

So if you bring in a 14K gold necklace, it contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals like silver or copper.

What Is “Fineness” in Gold?

In addition to karats, gold purity may also be expressed as fineness, which shows the amount of pure gold in parts per thousand.

Here’s how it matches up:

• .999 = 99.9% pure gold (24K)
• .916 = 91.6% (22K)
• .750 = 75% (18K)
• .585 = 58.5% (14K)
• .417 = 41.7% (10K)

For example, a ring marked .583 has 583 parts gold and 417 parts other metals — the same as 14K gold.

U.S. Law and Gold Purity (What You Need to Know)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that all jewelry sold in the U.S. as gold must include a correct karat or fineness stamp. These stamps are meant to give consumers confidence when buying or selling gold.

However — and this is important — not all stamps are legitimate.

Fake or counterfeit jewelry is sometimes stamped with markings like “14K” or “18K” even though it contains little to no real gold. These pieces may be plated, filled, or entirely base metal, but are made to fool the untrained eye.

At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers (www.lonestargoldandsilverbuyers.com), we thoroughly test every item in front of you, using professional tools that detect real gold content. We’ll show you exactly what your item is made of — and explain your offer clearly, with no pressure to sell.

Why Purity Matters When Selling Gold

The value of your gold depends heavily on its purity. The higher the karat (or fineness), the more gold it contains — and the more it's worth.

That’s why it’s important to work with experienced, local gold buyers who are licensed, honest, and upfront about the testing and pricing process.

Sell with Confidence in Amarillo

At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers (www.lonestargoldandsilverbuyers.com), we are proud to be trusted Amarillo Gold Buyers, Jewelry Buyers, and Scrap Gold Buyers offering:

✅ Free, no-pressure evaluations
✅ Accurate testing done in front of you
✅ A safe and secure office — not a pawn shop
✅ Full compliance with Texas state laws and regulations

We purchase all types of gold and silver items, including:

• Gold & Silver Jewelry
• Scrap Gold, broken pieces, and dental gold
• Gold and Silver Coins (U.S. & foreign)
• Gold and Silver Bullion (bars and rounds)

Get Started Today

If you're ready to find out what your gold is really worth, contact us or visit our Amarillo office today:
🔗 Website: www.lonestargoldandsilverbuyers.com
📍 Address: 13480 FM 2590, Unit A, Amarillo, TX 79119
📞 Phone: 806-513-2765

We’re here to offer honest answers, fair prices, and a gold selling experience that’s completely opposite of what you’d expect from a pawn shop.

If you've spent any time scrolling through social media or browsing the internet lately, you've likely come across ads screaming “We Buy Gold!” — and for good reason. As gold prices continue to rise, more people are looking to cash in.

Unfortunately, that also means a rise in gold buying scams and shady offers, especially when it comes to precious metals such as jewelry, coins, and bullion.

Before you hand over your valuables, take a minute to learn how to protect yourself and make sure you’re getting a fair deal from a reputable Amarillo gold and silver buyer.

1. Avoid Mail-In Gold Services Unless It's Your Only Option

Mail-in gold services promise top dollar, but the moment you drop your jewelry in the mail, you lose control of the transaction. If you're unhappy with their payout, getting your gold back can be complicated — or impossible.
Even if a company advertises that they pay more than local buyers, don’t be so quick to believe it. In most cases, you’ll get a much better offer by working with a trusted, local gold and silver coin exchange in Amarillo.

2. Work With a Trusted Local Dealer in Amarillo

Find a reliable gold buyer near you — ideally one with a physical office, positive reviews, and clear policies.
You can confirm their reputation by checking with the local Better Business Bureau (BBB). as well as local review sites such as Google, Facebook, Yelp, NextDoor, Angi, etc.

Just as importantly, make sure the dealer is registered and in full compliance with the State of Texas and all applicable laws. This protects you as a seller and ensures you’re dealing with a legitimate, accountable business.

At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we’re not only a trusted local gold and silver coin exchange, but also fully registered and compliant with Texas state regulations. Our clients choose us because we offer a safe, secure, no-pressure experience — completely opposite of what you might expect at a pawn shop or coin shop.

3. Go In Person If You Can

Selling your gold and silver in person gives you the upper hand. Nothing gets “lost in the mail,” and you can watch the entire process unfold in real time. You’re also free to decline any offer that doesn’t meet your expectations.

Very important: your items should never leave your sight during any part of the evaluation. You should be able to see the weighing, testing, and quoting process clearly. If a buyer tries to take your items to a back room or out of view, that’s a red flag — don’t proceed.

If you’re unable to visit a local Amarillo gold buyer yourself, ask a trusted friend or family member to go in your place — just be sure they’re informed about what you’re selling and what price range you're expecting.

4. Create an Inventory List Before You Sell

Make a list of gold and silver jewelry, bullion, coins  or scrap gold you plan to sell. Review it out loud when you meet with the buyer. This shows that you’re aware of exactly what you brought — and it discourages anyone from trying to shortchange or misplace a piece.

If you’re selling coins, bars, or multiple small items, this step is especially important. It also helps the transaction feel more professional.  You can also take inventory by weight in grams. 

5. Bring a Small Gram Scale

You can find a digital gram scale online for just a few dollars. While most pocket-sized or consumer-grade scales aren’t exact or legal for trade, they’ll give you a solid estimate and help you feel more informed before getting an offer.

Weigh your items ahead of time and take your scale with you. If a buyer quotes you a weight that’s drastically different, pull out your scale and compare. Always ask to see the weight reading on their scale directly, especially when dealing with gold and silver bullion or heavier pieces. Important to note any business engaging in the purchase of Crafted Precious Metals must ALSO have their scales licensed with the Texas Dept. of Agriculture.

Final Thoughts

Not all Amarillo gold buyers are created equal. The next time you see a “We Buy Gold” ad pop up in your feed, make sure it’s from a local, trusted gold and silver dealer — preferably one with experience, transparency, and a secure environment.

At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we make it easy to sell your gold and silver coins, jewelry, scrap gold and silver, bullion, and more — without the pressure, gimmicks, or uncertainty of mail-in services or pawn shops. Come visit our Amarillo office and see why we’re a top-rated choice in the Texas Panhandle for those looking to sell gold and silver locally.

13480 FM 2590 (SONCY)
UNIT A
AMARILLO TX 79119

​806-670-5499