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Use our free scrap gold calculator to estimate melt value from weight (grams, pennyweight, oz, troy oz), karat purity (10K–24K), and gold spot price per troy ounce. See pure gold content and a typical 70–80% scrap payout range before you negotiate—estimates only, not a buyer's offer.
Last updated: March 21, 2026
Note: Rarely does a scrap yard pay 100% of melt value. They have overhead and refining fees. Expect offers between 70% and 80% of the true melt value.
The scrap buyer industry relies on the fact that many sellers don't know the actual math behind gold pricing—here is what this tool accounts for.
Karats measure purity out of 24. A 14K ring is strictly 14/24ths gold. The remaining 10/24ths are alloys (copper, zinc) that scrap pricing assigns no gold value to.
Spot prices are quoted in troy ounces (~31.1 g). Kitchen scales often use avoirdupois ounces (~28.35 g). Mixing units causes large valuation errors—this calculator converts for you.
When selling scrap, buyers remove the estimated weight of diamonds or stones before calculating the gold weight, often offering pennies on the dollar for small stones.
Melt value is the value of the fine gold in an item if it were refined to pure metal—ignoring design, brand, or sentiment. Buyers use it as a ceiling: they still pay below melt after refining and margin, which is why the calculator also shows a typical 70–80% payout band.
Knowing melt value helps you compare offers, spot unrealistic weights, and understand how karat and weight units (especially troy ounces vs everyday ounces) change the number. It is essential for selling jewelry, coins, and dental gold—before you walk into a pawn shop or mail items to a refiner.
Not financial or tax advice. Spot prices move; buyers assay and may deduct stones and fees.
This tool uses the same structure as the form: convert weight to troy ounces of metal, apply karat purity, then multiply by spot price per troy ounce.
Melt value = W × U × P × S
Equivalently: fine gold (troy oz) = W × U × P, then melt = fine gold × S. Payout offers are often 70–80% of melt before extra fees.
Paper, pencil, and a current spot quote—ideally in grams or troy ounces for fewer rounding headaches.
Illustrative numbers using $2,300 USD/troy oz spot—change spot in the calculator when markets move.
Fine gold ≈ 0.187 troy oz. At $2300/oz, melt ≈ $431.11.
Typical 70–80% band: roughly $301.78–$344.89 before fees.
Fine gold ≈ 0.121 troy oz. Melt ≈ $277.30 at the same spot.
Shows how karat lifts value even when total weight is modest.
1 troy oz × 22K purity → 0.916 troy oz fine. Melt ≈ $2106.80.
Ideal for seeing how coin and bullion math lines up with jewelry.
Same weight and spot, different karats: how purity alone shifts melt value for 10 grams at $2,300/troy oz.
| Karat | Fine gold fraction | Fine gold (troy oz) for 10 g | Melt @ $2300/oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.7% | 0.1341 | $308.36 |
| 14K | 58.3% | 0.1874 | $431.11 |
| 18K | 75.0% | 0.2411 | $554.60 |
| 22K | 91.6% | 0.2945 | $677.35 |
| 24K | 99.9% | 0.3212 | $738.73 |
The tool opens on 10 grams, 14K, and $2300/troy oz spot—roughly $431.11 melt and 0.187 troy oz of fine gold. Adjust weight, unit, karat, and spot to match your piece.
"Melt value" is the intrinsic value of the pure gold contained inside an item, regardless of its shape, history, or craftsmanship. It is the absolute maximum amount a refiner can extract from melting the item down.
No. Pawn shops, jewelry stores, and "Cash for Gold" operations have overhead costs, profit margins, and refining fees. A highly aggressive buyer might pay 80% to 85% of melt value, while a less competitive buyer might only offer 50% to 60%.
A regular (Avoirdupois) ounce is 28.35 grams, which is what we use in kitchens and grocery stores. Precious metals are weighed in Troy ounces. One Troy ounce is heavier, weighing exactly 31.103 grams. Our calculator handles this conversion automatically.
Pure 24K gold is extremely soft. "14 Karat" means the metal is 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloy metals (like copper or silver) to make it durable for daily wear. Therefore, 14K gold is only 58.3% pure gold by weight.
Look for hallmarks stamped on the jewelry. Common stamps include 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, or numbers like 417 (10K), 585 (14K), and 750 (18K) representing the percentage of purity.
Gold plated or gold filled items have a microscopically thin layer of gold over a base metal like brass or copper. They contain so little actual gold that they have virtually zero melt value.
Local buyers like pawn shops are faster and give immediate cash, but online refiners often pay much closer to the true melt value if you are willing to deal with the hassle of insured shipping.
Gold is traded globally as a commodity on continuous futures markets. Its price fluctuates by the minute when markets are open based on supply, demand, inflation, and currency strength.
You can, but it requires professional equipment and a crucible. Furthermore, most buyers will not trust homemade gold bars without paying for an expensive assay test to verify purity.
Small diamonds (often termed "melee") add almost zero value in the scrap market. Buyers usually only pay extra for large, high-quality center stones.
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