Independent metal pricing

Gold Calculator: Scrap Gold Melt Value and Buyer Quote Comparison

Calculate contained-gold value, then enter a buyer's quoted percentage to compare its dollar offer against the same melt benchmark.

Spot: $4,043.70/ozt 24K: $129.88/g18K: $97.51/g14K: $75.83/g

fallback snapshot Aug 2, 2026 · current Gold API reference loads automatically

Sources and review: Reviewed by MeltOffer on . Reference price: Gold API XAU/USD. Unit factors: NIST precious-metals conversions. Karat terminology: FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR § 23.3.

Melt value
$0.00
Contained-metal benchmark, not a guaranteed offer; recognized bullion or collectibles may trade above it.
Estimated scrap offer
Benchmark value × the payout percentage you entered.
Net quoted proceeds
Actual buyer quote minus your entered fees and shipping.
Effective rate
Net quoted proceeds ÷ melt value.

Compare up to three written buyer offers.

How to compare buyer quotes and published payout benchmarks.

Live gold price per gram by karat

KaratPer gramPer grainPer dwtPer troy oz
24K — pure (.999)$129.88$8.42$201.98$4,039.66
22K (.9167)$119.18$7.72$185.34$3,706.86
21.6K — old US coins (.900)$117.01$7.58$181.97$3,639.33
21K (.875)$113.76$7.37$176.91$3,538.24
18K (.750)$97.51$6.32$151.64$3,032.77
14K (14/24 = .5833)$75.83$4.91$117.93$2,358.69
585 gold (.585)$76.05$4.93$118.28$2,365.56
12K (.500)$65.00$4.21$101.09$2,021.85
10K (.417)$54.17$3.51$84.25$1,685.01
9K (.375)$48.75$3.16$75.82$1,516.39
8K (.333)$43.29$2.81$67.33$1,346.55

Gold coin melt values

Enter quantities to total contained-metal value at the same editable price.

CoinMelt eachQtyTotal
American Gold Eagle (1 oz)1986–present · 1 ozt pure gold$4,043.70
American Gold Eagle (½ oz)1986–present · 0.5 ozt pure gold$2,021.85
American Gold Eagle (¼ oz)1986–present · 0.25 ozt pure gold$1,010.92
American Gold Eagle (1/10 oz)1986–present · 0.1 ozt pure gold$404.37
American Gold Buffalo (1 oz)2006–present · 1 ozt pure gold$4,043.70
First Spouse Gold Coin ($10)2007–2020 · 0.5 ozt pure gold$2,021.85
$20 Double Eagle1850–1933 · 0.9675 ozt pure gold$3,912.28
$10 Liberty Head / Indian Head Eagle1838–1933 · 0.48375 ozt pure gold$1,956.14
$5 Liberty Head / Indian Head Half Eagle1839–1929 · 0.24187 ozt pure gold$978.05
$2.50 Liberty Head / Indian Head Quarter Eagle1840–1929 · 0.12094 ozt pure gold$489.05
$1 Gold Dollar1849–1889 · 0.04837 ozt pure gold$195.59
Coin collection melt value
$0.00
Metal value only — not a collector appraisal.

See the full sourced US gold coin calculator for every denomination and collector-value safeguards.

Why buyer offers differ from contained-gold value

Contained-gold value is a metal benchmark before testing, refining, shipping, fees, and buyer margin. A recognized bullion or collectible item can trade above that benchmark, while scrap offers may be below it. Compare actual written dollar quotes and fees against the same reference value.

Before you sell

Weigh and sort items by karat in grams; a calibrated 0.01-gram scale is useful for small pieces. Karat stamps such as 585, 750, 417, and 375 are clues, not proof. The GIA touchstone procedure requires controlled acid handling and safety equipment, so use a qualified jeweler, buyer, or assay service for uncertain items. Compare written net-dollar quotes on identical terms.

Worked example

A 14K chain weighing 21.3 g contains about 12.42 g of pure gold: 21.3 × 0.5833. At $4,043.70/ozt its melt value is about $1,615. Enter each buyer's stated payout percentage to turn that common benchmark into a comparable dollar estimate.

Frequently asked questions

why is scrap gold so cheap

Scrap-gold offers can be below melt because testing, refining, shipping, fees, and margin create a gap. Enter the buyer's quoted percentage above and compare the resulting dollar estimate with other written quotes.

what is considered scrap gold

Scrap gold is karat gold sold mainly for its metal content rather than as a wearable or collectible item. Broken, damaged, mismatched, engraved, or out-of-style jewelry can all qualify when resale value is low.

what are scrap gold prices today

Today's scrap gold prices are the live per-gram values in the karat table on this page. Use this calculator with the item's weight and karat, then compare an actual quoted payout percentage.

can you scrap gold filled jewelry

Gold-filled material is not solid karat gold, and buyer acceptance or recovery terms vary. Under the FTC Jewelry Guides, a “1/20 14K GF” mark states a 14K-alloy fraction relative to the article's total metal weight, excluding stones and other non-metal parts; do not apply it to gross item weight. Use the gold-filled value calculator for the separate formula.

what is scrap gold worth per gram

Scrap gold per gram is worth gold spot ÷ 31.1035 × its purity in melt value. Use this calculator for the live amount before buyer discounts.

who buys scrap gold

Pawn shops, local jewelers, coin dealers, and specialist refiners may buy scrap gold. No defensible universal payout range covers them all, so compare at least three written dollar offers against the same melt value and terms.

How do gold buyers determine the value of scrap gold?

Gold buyers determine scrap value from verified karat, net metal weight, a current reference price, and their payout terms. Stones and non-gold parts are excluded before testing, refining costs, fees, and margin are applied.

How to determine the karat of old gold jewelry?

Start with the complete hallmark, then have uncertain pieces professionally tested. Common fineness marks include 417 for 10K, 585 for 14K, and 750 for 18K; neither a stamp nor a magnet proves purity, and destructive testing is inappropriate for potentially collectible items.

Gold prices by karat

8K gold price · 9K gold price · 10K gold price · 12K gold price · 14K gold price · 18K gold price · 21K gold price · 22K gold price · 24K gold price

Gold price per gram · Gold price per pennyweight · Gold-filled value calculator · Dental gold value calculator · US gold coins · World gold coins · Costco gold bar value · Mixed-metal basket

Gold melt-value formula · How to weigh gold

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