fallback snapshot Aug 2, 2026 · live price loads automatically
Sources and review: Reviewed by MeltOffer on . Market price: Gold API XAU/USD. Unit factors: NIST precious-metals conversions. Karat terminology: FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR § 23.3.
How to compare buyer quotes and published payout benchmarks.
Live gold price per gram by karat
| Karat | Per gram | Per dwt | Per troy oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K — pure (.999) | $129.88 | $201.98 | $4,039.66 |
| 22K (.9167) | $119.18 | $185.34 | $3,706.86 |
| 21.6K — old US coins (.900) | $117.01 | $181.97 | $3,639.33 |
| 18K (.750) | $97.51 | $151.64 | $3,032.77 |
| 14K (14/24 = .5833) | $75.83 | $117.93 | $2,358.69 |
| 585 gold (.585) | $76.05 | $118.28 | $2,365.56 |
| 12K (.500) | $65.00 | $101.09 | $2,021.85 |
| 10K (.417) | $54.17 | $84.25 | $1,685.01 |
| 9K (.375) | $48.75 | $75.82 | $1,516.39 |
| 8K (.333) | $43.29 | $67.33 | $1,346.55 |
Gold coin melt values
Enter quantities to total contained-metal value at the same editable price.
| Coin | Melt each | Qty | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle (1 oz)1986–present · 1 ozt pure gold | $4,043.70 | — | |
| American Gold Buffalo (1 oz)2006–present · 1 ozt pure gold | $4,043.70 | — | |
| $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 | — |
See the full sourced US gold coin calculator for every denomination and collector-value safeguards.
Why nobody pays melt value
Melt value is the worth of the pure gold at today's spot price before testing, refining, shipping, fees, and buyer margin. Published payables vary materially by buyer, product, lot size, and terms, so compare actual written dollar quotes as percentages of the same melt value.
Before you sell
Weigh and sort items by karat at home — a kitchen scale in grams works for a first pass; a $15 jeweler's scale (0.01 g) is better. Karat stamps: 585 = 14K, 750 = 18K, 417 = 10K, 375 = 9K. Assume unstamped pieces are the lowest plausible karat until tested (acid kits under $20; gold is never magnetic). Get at least three quotes in dollars, in writing where possible. Never ship gold to a buyer who won't give a per-item figure and a free, insured return policy first.
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 jewelry can be sold to some specialist refiners, but most ordinary scrap buyers pay little or nothing for small pieces. A “1/20 14K GF” mark means 1/20 of the item's weight is 14K alloy: 0.05 × 0.5833 is about 2.9% pure gold by total weight.
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, the current spot price, and their payout percentage. Stones and non-gold parts are excluded before the buyer applies refining costs and margin.
How to determine the karat of old gold jewelry?
Determine old jewelry's karat from a hallmark first, then verify uncertain pieces with an acid or electronic test. Common marks include 417 for 10K, 585 for 14K, and 750 for 18K; a magnet only screens some fakes and cannot prove purity.
Gold prices by karat
10K gold price · 14K gold price · 18K gold price · 21K gold price · 22K gold price · 24K gold price
Gold price per gram · 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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