Platinum Archives

The Weights of Precious Metals: Troy Ounces, Pennyweights, Grams & Kilograms

By Shane Maguire on December 5, 2025

A scale holding gold coins and dollars the weights of precious metals

The Weight Game: What Every Precious Metals Investor Needs to Know

Think you know what an ounce is? In precious metals, that confidence could cost you a small fortune.

Most beginners assume their kitchen scale or bathroom scale will do the trick. Spoiler alert: it won’t. The world of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium uses units that sound familiar but play by their own rules—troy ounces, pennyweights, grams, and kilograms.

Mix them up, and you might as well be handing over a slice of your investment.

In this article, you’ll get the inside scoop on:

The heavyweight champion, the troy ounce (and why it’s not your grocery store ounce)
Pennyweights, the underdog still prized by jewelers and traders
Grams and kilograms, the global players you’ll meet in every market

We’ll break down what each unit means, why it matters, and how The Gold Guys keep you from getting shortchanged—whether you’re selling scrap, buying bullion, or just weighing your options.

Ready to make every gram, ounce, and pennyweight count? Let’s get started. Read more »

The Global Economic Shift: Understanding BRICS and the Role of Gold

By Joe Beasy on February 18, 2025

The global economic landscape is undergoing a significant shift, and you’re going to want to know about it.

For decades, the economic powerhouses of the West, including the U.S. and Europe, have dominated global markets. However, in recent years, a rising coalition of five emerging economies collectively known as the BRICS nations, has been steadily gaining influence and momentum, reshaping the dynamics of global economic power.

Together, these countries represent a significant portion of the world’s population, landmass, and GDP (Gross Domestic Product). As the world’s markets continue to evolve, understanding the role of BRICS and how it influences industries like precious metals, particularly gold, is crucial for businesses looking to navigate the future of global trade.

Palladium vs Platinum vs Silver: What You Need to Know

By Shane Maguire on August 9, 2024

Jewelry, coins, bullion, and other items made from precious metals are popular in today’s market due to their exceptional beauty and high value. Gold has always been the most popular and highly sought-after of all the precious metals, but silver, platinum, and palladium hold significant value as well. While these three metals may look similar in color and are often mistaken for one another by the untrained eye, each has its own unique characteristics that determine its value.

Here is a breakdown of the key differences and similarities between silver, platinum, and palladium.

13 gold and jewelry terms to know

By Joe Beasy on February 3, 2021

Selling jewelry and gold can always be a great way to turn old, tucked-away items into cash – especially when the price of gold is as high as it is right now. But before getting involved in the market, it can be helpful to understand exactly what you’re getting into from a selling perspective.

Here are 13 key gold and jewelry terms to know to help educate yourself.

Pawning gold and jewelry vs. Selling gold and jewelry

By Shane Maguire on January 27, 2021

Directly Above Shot Of Jewelry By Purse On Table

Because the price of gold is higher now than it has been in years, many people are looking for the best possible way to turn their gold and other precious metals into cash.

When it comes to making quick cash, many people turn to pawnshops as a means of turning their gold, jewelry, and other items into money. On the other hand, many prefer to sell their items outright to get the process over with quickly and to walk away with cash in their hand. But which is better – pawning or selling?

Jewelry has a high retail markup compared to an item’s actual market/secondary value. Here is a breakdown of the key differences between pawning and selling to help determine which can produce the best value for your gold, jewelry, and other precious metals.