Gold Prices Are Still Rising in 2026. What Does That Mean for You?

Back in February 2025, we shared an update on rising gold prices and what that meant for jewelry buyers, sellers, and collectors. Since then, the precious metals market has continued to climb, with today’s prices reaching some of the highest levels we’ve ever seen.

If you’ve been thinking about selling gold, trading in old jewelry, upgrading a piece, or investing in fine jewelry, now is an important time to understand what’s happening and how it may impact your decisions.

At K. Hollis Jewelers, our goal is to help you make informed choices for your collection, whether you’re buying, redesigning, or simply wanting to better understand what you already own.

Where Gold and Other Metals Stand Today

As of January 26, 2026, precious metals have seen significant increases compared to early 2025:

• Gold: Around $5,092 per ounce

• Silver: Around $107 per ounce

• Platinum: Around $2,549 per ounce

For comparison, in early 2025, gold was hovering closer to the high $2,000s and low $3,000s per ounce. That means gold has increased more than 1.5x in a relatively short period of time.

This kind of movement is uncommon and creates meaningful opportunities for many of our clients.

Why Are Gold Prices Still Rising?

Gold prices fluctuate based on supply, demand, and broader economic conditions. The continued rise is being supported by several key factors:

• Global economic and geopolitical uncertainty

• Inflation and currency value concerns

• Strong central bank and institutional gold buying

Together, these trends have helped keep gold and other precious metals at elevated levels and support long-term strength in the market.

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What This Means for You

Your Gold Jewelry May Be Worth More Than You Think

Broken jewelry, old chains, single earrings, outdated styles, or pieces you no longer wear may be worth significantly more today than they were just a year ago. Many clients are surprised to learn how much value is sitting in their jewelry box.

Trade-Ins Go Further

Higher gold prices can make trading in gold especially powerful. Your old gold can be applied toward:

• A new piece of fine jewelry

• An engagement ring or wedding band

• A custom redesign

• An upgrade to a higher-quality diamond or gemstone

With today’s prices, your trade-in value may cover a larger portion of your purchase than you expect.

A Smart Time to Redesign or Upgrade

If you love the sentimental value of a piece but not the style, redesigning can be a great option. Rising gold prices mean your existing gold can be repurposed into something new while maximizing its current value.

Is Now a Good Time to Get Your Jewelry Appraised?

Yes. With gold and precious metals at historic highs, updated appraisals are more important than ever for insurance and peace of mind.

You may want to prioritize an updated appraisal if:

• Your appraisal is more than 3 to 5 years old

• You’ve inherited jewelry and are unsure of its current value

• Gold and diamond prices have changed significantly since your last appraisal

• You’ve had a piece redesigned or upgraded

• You want to make sure your insurance coverage reflects today’s replacement costs

Outdated appraisals can leave you underinsured, meaning your coverage may not reflect what it would actually cost to replace a piece today. A current appraisal helps protect what matters most and gives you a clearer picture of your jewelry’s true value in today’s market.

A Smart Way to Shop Gold Jewelry Right Now

As gold prices rise, how and when you shop can make a difference.

At K. Hollis Jewelers, we don’t automatically raise the prices of in-stock jewelry every time the gold market increases. Many of the pieces in our cases were purchased or made when gold costs were lower, which means you may find especially strong value on in-stock pieces.

For special orders and made-to-order jewelry, pricing is based on the current cost of gold at the time the piece is created. As gold continues to rise, special order pricing may increase over time. If you’re considering a custom piece or special order, placing your order sooner rather than later can help you lock in today’s pricing before potential increases.

This is one of the ways we help our clients shop thoughtfully and get the most value from their jewelry purchases.

What Should You Do Next?

With gold and other metals at historic highs, now is simply a smart time to:

• Evaluate pieces you no longer wear

• Consider trade-in or redesign options

• Update appraisals for important pieces

• Take advantage of elevated gold value

Talk through your options with a trusted local jeweler

Let’s Make the Most of Today’s Market Together

Gold prices don’t stay at historic highs forever. Whether you’re holding onto jewelry you no longer wear, considering a redesign, thinking about a special purchase, or simply wanting to make sure your important pieces are properly insured, now is a great time to take action.

At K. Hollis Jewelers, we’re here to offer honest guidance, not pressure. Bring in what you have, ask questions, and let’s take a look together. You may be surprised how today’s market can help you turn what’s sitting in your jewelry box into something meaningful for the next chapter.