America's $750 billion forgotten asset class.
Methodology: Composite model using five weighted inputs — income tier distribution (35%), demographic age profile (25%), cultural gold affinity (20%), urbanization (10%), homeownership rate (10%). Min-max normalized across 50 states + DC. National baseline: $5,700. Sources: ACS 2023, Census 2024, BLS CEX 2022.
"Gold is at $4,400 an ounce — a 16-fold increase since 2000. The jewelry sitting in your drawer has never been worth more. Do you know what it's worth?"
2026 EditionNobody sends you a statement for your jewelry box. The Jewelry Drawer Index is Unvault's annual estimate of the gold jewelry sitting dormant in American homes — $750 billion, untracked, uninsured, and unappraised.
This is not about selling. It's about knowing.
Gold price increase since 2000. Most jewelry owners have never been told.
of jewelry owners carry zero insurance. You can't insure what you haven't valued.
How much owners underestimate their gold's value — across 50,000+ Unvault evaluations.
Gold has risen from $279 to $4,400 per troy ounce since 2000 — a 16-fold increase. It hit an all-time record of $5,602/oz on January 28, 2026. Any gold piece bought before 2020 is worth more in metal alone than at the time of purchase.
The piece bought for $600 in 2003 still feels like a $600 piece. But the metal inside it — based on weight and karat — is worth closer to $4,000 today. That value exists. It just has nowhere to live.
A rough estimate based on average piece weights at today's gold price. Takes 30 seconds.
Uses average piece weights: rings 5g, necklaces 10g, earring pairs 2g, bracelets 5g. Actual values vary by weight, karat, and gemstone content. This is an estimate only — Unvault's full valuation is precise and completely free.
I inherited my mother's jewelry and assumed it was just sentimental. Turns out it was $8,400 in gold. I'm not selling a thing — but now it's properly insured.
Maria, San FranciscoI had no idea what 14k even meant. Unvault explained everything. The necklace I hadn't worn in six years was worth $940. That was a surprise.
Jennifer, BrooklynI decided to unload some pieces I hadn't worn in over a decade. The process was easy and the offer was fair. I had no idea it could be this transparent.
Susan, AustinKnow what you own. Free. Instant. Transparent.
The Jewelry Drawer Index is published annually each March by Unvault. For press and media inquiries: press@unvault.co