20k gold is a type of gold that is found in some vintage jewelry items. It can be found in old chains, rings, and earrings. Below we'll provide more detail about this gold type and how much it can be worth.

What Is 20K Gold?

20k gold is real gold with a high purity. 20k refers to the gold's level of purity, and it means that your item is 20 karats out of a maximum of 24 karats. It's composed of 83.3% gold and 16.7% alloy. 20k gold is the same as 833 gold.

This type of gold was common in past eras. In modern times 20k gold is hardly ever made. Instead, 18k gold or 22k gold are the standard options for this level of purity.

20K Gold Chain
A 20k gold chain

How to Find Markings

Markings or hallmarks are easy to spot for any type of gold piece. You should clearly see 20k or the number 833 engraved on the piece. On jewelry the number may be small and concealed, but it should still be visible.

20K Gold Stamp

The Value of Your 20k Gold

In order to get the melt value of your 20k gold piece, you'll need to multiply the total ounces of gold by the spot price of gold. We make this easy for you with our gold calculator. All you need to do is load up the calculator, select 20k from the purity dropdown box, enter the weight of your item, and then click the 'calculate' button.

It's always good to know the value of your gold item. If you were ever going to sell your item then you have a base price.

Alternatives

Gold items come in several different types of purities. Below we will review three similar alternatives to 20k gold.

18K Gold

18k gold, also known as 750 gold, is a popular gold type. It has about 10% less gold content.

21K Gold

21k gold is more common in foreign jewelry items. It has 5% more gold content.

22K Gold

22k gold is popular for modern jewelry items. It has 10% more gold content.