Any gold rush has its share of opportunists. And it seems that today’s rush to buy old gold jewelry is no different, according to consumer protection agencies. The No. 1 problem: some companies give families selling their gold only cents on its dollar value.

This happens in any number of ways: Paying a low price din order to reap a bigger profit when selling the gold to a smelter; using an inaccurate scale; underrating the gold’s purity; misstating the day's gold price in the payment calculation’ or making an honest mistake that’s not in the consumer's favor.

A Register Guard reporter took an 18-karat, 1920’s gold wedding band to several gold buyers in recent weeks to see what they would pay, and the offers were all over the place.

• Gold Buyers at the Mall, Valley River Center: Said the ring was 14 karat, weighed 5.5 grams and offered $60.

• North Star Coin & Jewelry in Springfield: Said the ring was 18 karat, weighed 5.5 grams and offered $113.

• Your Place second-hand shop in Glenwood; Said the ring was 14 karat, weighed 5.5 grams and offered $66.

• Eugene Coin & Jewelry in south Eugene; Said the ring was 18 karat and offered $106.

• Harry Ritchies  Jewelers, Gateway; Said the ring was 18 karat weighed 5.6 grams and offered $69.