Updated September 8, 2026 · By Bulawan
What gold buyers actually pay for
A gold buyer pays for the pure gold content of your item, not its retail price. The retail price you paid included workmanship, brand, store margin, and taxes, none of which is recovered when you sell.
- Gold content = weight in grams × purity (karat ÷ 24).
- Reference value = gold content × today's 24K price per gram.
- Buyer offer = reference value minus the buyer's margin (commonly 5–20%).
Step-by-step: selling gold safely
- Check today's Philippine gold price per gram on Bulawan before visiting any buyer.
- Weigh your item (or ask the buyer to weigh it in front of you) and note the karat stamp (18K, 21K, 22K, 24K, 750, 875, 916).
- Use the Bulawan gold calculator to compute the reference gold value.
- Get at least two or three offers. Pawnshops, jewelry stores, and licensed gold buyers price differently.
- Bring a valid government ID. Legitimate buyers are required to record transactions.
- Remove stones if the buyer will not pay for them, or ask for a separate quote.
Typical offers by buyer type
| Buyer type | Typical offer vs reference value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed gold buyer / refiner | 85–95% | Best for plain gold, pays by purity test |
| Jewelry store | 70–90% | May offer more for resellable pieces |
| Pawnshop (outright sale) | 60–85% | Convenient but usually lower |
| Online / informal buyer | Varies widely | Higher risk; meet in safe locations only |
Red flags to watch for
- The buyer refuses to show the scale reading or the acid/XRF test result.
- The quoted price per gram is far below today's market reference with no explanation.
- Pressure to sell immediately or claims that 'gold is dropping tomorrow'.
- No receipt or record of the transaction.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I sell my gold for in the Philippines?
- Most buyers offer between 60% and 95% of the reference gold value, which is weight × purity × today's 24K price per gram. Compare several offers before selling.
- Do I need a receipt to sell gold?
- A receipt helps but is not required. You will usually need a valid government ID. Buyers test the gold themselves regardless of receipts.
- Is it better to sell or pawn gold?
- Sell if you no longer want the item and want the highest cash amount. Pawn if you need short-term cash and plan to get the item back.
- Where can I check today's gold price?
- Bulawan publishes a daily Philippine market reference for 24K, 22K, 21K, and 18K gold per gram at bulawanph.com/gold-prices.
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