Find out what your scrap gold is really worth. Enter the weight and karat to get an instant melt value based on live spot prices updated every 60 seconds.
| Karat | Purity | Value / gram | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | — | Bullion, coins, some Asian jewelry |
| 22K | 91.7% | — | American Gold Eagles, Indian jewelry |
| 18K | 75.0% | — | Fine jewelry, watches, European pieces Common |
| 14K | 58.3% | — | Most US jewelry, class rings, chains Most Common |
| 10K | 41.7% | — | Budget jewelry, older chains, charms Common |
| 9K | 37.5% | — | UK & Australian jewelry |
Our scrap gold calculator uses the live gold spot price — updated every 60 seconds — to compute the pure metal content of your gold based on its weight and karat. The result is the melt value: the theoretical worth of the gold content alone, before any dealer margins, refining fees, or premiums.
The formula is simple: Melt Value = Weight × (Karat ÷ 24) × Spot Price per unit. For example, 10 grams of 14K gold at a spot price of $95.00/g would be worth 10 × 0.583 × $95.00 = $553.85 in pure gold content.
Karat (abbreviated K or kt) measures the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. Pure gold is 24 karat — meaning 24 out of 24 parts are gold. A 14K piece contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals (copper, silver, zinc, or nickel), giving it a purity of 58.3%.
Most gold jewelry sold in the United States is 10K or 14K. European and Middle Eastern markets tend to favor 18K and 22K. Investment-grade bullion is typically 24K (.999 fine) or 22K (.917 fine, as with American Gold Eagles).
Look for a small stamp on the inside of rings, on clasps of necklaces, or on the back of pendants. Common stamps include 10K, 14K, 18K, 585 (14K), 750 (18K), and 916 or 917 (22K). If there is no stamp, a jeweler or refiner can test the purity with an acid test or XRF analyzer.
Scrap gold refers to any gold item valued primarily for its metal content rather than its craftsmanship or collectibility. This includes broken chains, single earrings, outdated class rings, dental gold, gold-filled watch cases, and jewelry you no longer wear. Even gold flakes from electronics recycling count as scrap.
The melt value is the baseline — the minimum the gold content is worth on the open market. Items with numismatic, antique, or brand value (Tiffany, Cartier, Rolex) may be worth significantly more than melt. When in doubt, get an appraisal before selling at scrap prices.
You have several options, each with different payouts relative to melt value:
Local pawn shops typically pay 50–70% of melt. They're fast and convenient but offer the lowest prices because they need margins for resale and overhead.
Cash-for-gold stores pay 60–75% on average. Walk-in shops rely on volume and often use aggressive advertising to attract sellers. Always calculate your melt value beforehand so you know the floor.
Online refiners and bullion dealers tend to offer 85–95% of melt for larger lots (typically 1 oz or more of pure gold content). They pay more because they refine directly rather than reselling to a middleman. Shipping and insurance are usually included.
Peer-to-peer (forums, r/Pmsforsale) can get you near or above melt for desirable items, but carries counterparty risk.
Sort your gold by karat before visiting a buyer — mixing karats lets dishonest buyers test only the lowest karat piece and offer that rate for the entire lot. Get multiple quotes. Never accept the first offer. And always know your melt value: that is the number no buyer should go below by more than 15–20%.
Scrap gold trades at or below spot because it requires refining. Bullion (bars, coins, rounds) trades at or above spot because it's already in investment-grade form with verified purity and weight. If you're looking to convert scrap into stackable gold, some refiners offer pour-your-own-bar services where they melt your scrap into a custom bar — a popular option among precious metals enthusiasts.
Timing matters when selling scrap gold. A $100/oz swing in spot price can mean hundreds of dollars on a larger lot. MetalMetric lets you set custom gold price alerts — get notified by email when gold hits your target price, so you can sell at the right moment. Available on Pro and Elite tiers.