With the default inputs (Weight 10; Gold spot price $4,474.50; Buyer payout 80%; Weight unit Grams; Karat 14K (58.3%)), this calculator returns Estimated Cash Offer $671.30, Melt Value $839.13 and Pure Gold Content 5.833 g.
Every row is computed with this page's own calculator. Change the inputs above to model your own numbers.
| Karat | Melt Value | Estimated Cash Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 24K (99.9% pure) | $1,437.15 | $1,149.72 |
| 22K (91.7%) | $1,318.75 | $1,055.00 |
| 18K (75%) | $1,078.94 | $863.15 |
| 14K (58.3%) | $839.13 | $671.30 |
| 10K (41.7%) | $599.46 | $479.57 |
| 9K (37.5%) | $539.47 | $431.58 |
Enter the weight of the scrap gold and select the matching weight unit. Choose the karat stamped on the jewelry or other item, then enter the current gold spot price per troy ounce. Finally, set the buyer payout to the percentage of melt value that a buyer may offer.
Karat represents purity rather than total weight. Common purity levels are 24K at 99.9%, 22K at 91.7%, 18K at 75%, 14K at 58.3%, 10K at 41.7%, and 9K at 37.5%. Most jewelry has a karat mark. Check the selected unit carefully because a troy ounce and a regular ounce are not the same measurement.
Suppose the weight is 10 grams, the karat is 14K (58.3%), the gold spot price is $4,474.50 per troy ounce, and the buyer payout is 80%. The purity calculation gives Pure Gold Content: 5.833 g. Converting the spot quotation gives Spot Price per Gram (pure): $143.86.
Applying 14K purity produces Value per Gram at This Karat: $83.91. Multiplying by the entered weight gives Melt Value: $839.13. Applying the selected payout produces Estimated Cash Offer: $671.30.
Melt value is the theoretical value of the contained pure gold at the entered spot price. It is not necessarily the amount a buyer will pay. Buyers generally retain part of that value to cover testing, refining, and margin. The page refreshes its spot figure from a daily feed, but the field remains editable.
Stamps can help identify purity, but the calculation depends on the selected karat and measured gold-only weight. For another precious metal, use the Scrap Silver Calculator. To estimate the value of recyclable copper, use the Scrap Copper Calculator.