Gold Value Calculator (Per Gram)
Estimate melt value for jewelry, scrap gold, coins, or dental gold based on spot price, karat purity, and weight.
Tip: 1 troy ounce = 31.1034768 grams. This calculator estimates intrinsic metal value, not collectible or brand premium.
What this gold value per gram calculator does
This tool gives you a fast estimate of how much your gold is worth by weight and purity. It is useful when you want to check the value of rings, chains, bracelets, scrap gold, or other items before visiting a pawn shop, jeweler, or online gold buyer.
Most people hear a gold price quoted per ounce, but jewelry is usually weighed in grams. This calculator converts ounce pricing into gram pricing, applies karat purity, and then estimates a likely cash offer based on payout percentage and fees.
How the calculation works
Step-by-step formula
Purity fraction = Karat ÷ 24
Item value per gram = Pure gold price per gram × Purity fraction
Gross melt value = Item value per gram × Weight in grams
Estimated payout = (Gross melt value × Payout %) − Fees
Example: if spot gold is $2,300/oz and your jewelry is 14k, the metal is 14/24 = 58.33% gold. So each gram is worth about 58.33% of pure-gold gram price before any dealer discount.
Common karat values and purity
| Karat | Purity | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 24k | 99.9% pure | Bullion bars, investment coins |
| 22k | 91.7% pure | High-purity jewelry, some coins |
| 18k | 75.0% pure | Fine jewelry |
| 14k | 58.3% pure | Very common U.S. jewelry standard |
| 10k | 41.7% pure | Durable, lower-cost jewelry |
Why your actual offer may be lower
The calculator returns an estimate, but real offers can vary. Buyers do not usually pay full melt value because they must cover testing, refining, labor, shipping, and market risk.
- Payout rate: Some buyers pay 60%–98% of melt value depending on volume and item type.
- Testing adjustments: Acid test, XRF, or fire assay may reveal lower purity than stamped.
- Stones and non-gold parts: Weight may include gems, clasps, springs, or solder.
- Fees: Certain refiners deduct fixed handling charges or assay fees.
- Market movement: Spot price can change quickly during trading hours.
Tips to get a better price for scrap gold
- Sort your items by karat before selling (10k, 14k, 18k, etc.).
- Weigh items at home using a gram scale for a realistic baseline.
- Get multiple quotes from local jewelers, pawn shops, and mail-in buyers.
- Ask each buyer for payout percent and any fee deductions in writing.
- Check the live spot gold price on the same day you sell.
Frequently asked questions
Is gold price per gram the same as jewelry resale value?
Not always. Metal value and resale value are different. Designer jewelry, branded pieces, and antique items can sell above melt value, while broken or generic pieces often trade near scrap rates.
Can I use this for white gold and rose gold?
Yes. Karat determines gold content regardless of color. White gold and rose gold have different alloy metals, but the gold fraction is still based on karat.
Do coins and bars need a different calculator?
The core formula is the same. For bullion coins and bars, purity is often very high (such as 24k or 99.99%), and market premiums may apply in addition to melt value.
Bottom line
If you want a quick estimate of gold melt value, scrap gold price, or 14k/18k gold price per gram, this calculator gives you a practical starting point. Use it before negotiating so you know your baseline value and can compare offers with confidence.