Why two numbers beat one
Melt value is the ceiling — the worth of the pure metal at today's exchange price. Real offers are a percentage of that ceiling, and the percentage depends far more on which buyer you choose than on your negotiating. A pawn shop paying 65% of melt on gold is being generous; a mail-in buyer at 55% is not. Without both numbers, those two situations look identical. Every calculator on this site shows the ceiling and the realistic range side by side.
Independent by design
Can I trust melt value calculators from metal dealers?
You can trust transparent dealer-calculator arithmetic, but you should not assume the resulting offer is independent. A dealer's calculator can lead directly to its own buying desk; MeltOffer does not buy metal and states its spot-price, weight, purity, and buyer-range methodology so you can compare outside quotes.
Selling a mixed lot
Most drawers hold more than one metal: a 14K chain, sterling flatware, maybe a platinum band. Calculate each metal separately, add up the melt values, and shop the combined lot to a specialist buyer — consolidation dilutes the buyer's fixed costs and reliably improves the percentage. Bring the total melt number with you; it changes the conversation.
Frequently asked questions
what is melt value
Melt value is the market value of the recoverable metal before a buyer deducts testing, refining, shipping, and margin.
Does MeltOffer buy metal?
MeltOffer does not buy metal. It provides informational calculations and buyer-offer estimates without operating a buying desk.
Best online tools to estimate melt value of metals?
The best online tools show the weight, purity, spot price, formula, and likely buyer discount instead of only one dollar figure. MeltOffer exposes each input and keeps the price editable so you can verify the result.
Are there any tools or apps to estimate sterling silver worth at home?
Yes, MeltOffer is a free online tool for estimating sterling silver worth at home with a kitchen scale. Enter the weight, choose .925 purity, and compare the melt value with realistic buyer offers.