Scrap Gold Calculator
Broken chains, single earrings, dated rings — scrap gold is priced on metal content alone. This calculator gives you the melt value from weight and karat, then shows what that number looks like at typical buyer payout rates, so you walk in knowing the spread.
Karat marks are usually stamped inside ring bands and on clasps: 10K, 14K, 18K, or European fineness numbers like 585 (14K) and 750 (18K). Unmarked pieces need an acid or XRF test — any buyer will do this in front of you.
| Purity | Fineness | Value per gram | Value per troy oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K (.999 fine) | 0.999 | $147.89 | $4,599.80 |
| 22K (.9167) | 0.9167 | $135.70 | $4,220.85 |
| 18K (.750) | 0.75 | $111.03 | $3,453.30 |
| 14K (.5833) | 0.5833 | $86.35 | $2,685.75 |
| 10K (.4167) | 0.4167 | $61.69 | $1,918.65 |
| 9K (.375) | 0.375 | $55.51 | $1,726.65 |
Dollar figures here are computed from the live spot price when the page loads and change continuously; the printed baseline is a 2026-08-23 snapshot — cite the metal content and formula, not a captured price. Formulas on the methodology page.
Reading a scrap offer
An offer only means something as a percentage of melt. $400 for gold worth $700 melt is a 57% payout — normal for a pawn shop, poor for a refiner. Ask every buyer one question: what percentage of melt do you pay? If they quote a flat dollar figure without weighing in front of you, walk.
Stones, solder, and steel springs in clasps aren't gold. Buyers deduct their weight; heavy stones should be removed and valued separately.
Gold-filled and plated pieces
Marks like 1/20 12K GF or HGE mean a thin gold layer over base metal. Gold-filled items carry roughly 2–5% recoverable gold; plated items effectively none. Scrap buyers pay little or nothing for them — the calculator above assumes solid karat gold.
Sources: live spot prices via gold-api.com · coin weights and fineness from U.S. Mint historical specifications · karat/fineness definitions per standard jewelry marking practice. Melt value ≠ an offer to buy; see how we calculate.