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Gold Purity & Value Calculator

Calculate the scrap melt value and retail estimate of your gold jewelry based on real-time spot prices, weight, and karat purity.

Transparent Math Customizable Spot Price

*Defaulted to recent average. Adjust to today's exact market rate for precise melt value.

Estimated Melt Value (Scrap)
$0.00
This is the intrinsic value of the pure gold content. Scrap buyers typically pay 70-80% of this value.
Retail Estimate
$0.00
Estimated cost to buy this piece new (includes craftsmanship markup).
Pure Gold Content
0.00g
The actual amount of pure 24K gold inside the alloy.
Purity Breakdown (14K)
58.3% Pure Gold
The remaining 41.7% consists of alloy metals (like silver, copper, or zinc) added for durability and color.
Karat Purity Melt Value (for your weight)

Understanding Gold Karats and Value

Gold is inherently a very soft metal. Pure 24-karat (24K) gold is easily scratched, bent, or dented, making it impractical for everyday jewelry. To make it durable, jewelers mix pure gold with alloy metals like copper, silver, nickel, or zinc.

The Karat System Explained

The term "karat" measures the ratio of pure gold to alloy metals out of 24 parts:

⚖️ Melt Value vs. Retail Value: The melt value is what the raw gold is worth on the commodities market today. The retail value is what you pay in a store, which includes the jeweler's labor, design, branding, and profit margin. Jewelry is almost always worth significantly less when you try to sell it compared to when you bought it.

Gold Vermeil vs Plated vs Solid Gold

Our calculator only works for solid gold jewelry. If your piece is marked with "GP" (Gold Plated), "GF" (Gold Filled), or "Vermeil", the gold content is only a microscopic surface layer. The intrinsic melt value of the gold in plated jewelry is virtually zero, regardless of the item's total weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

14K and 18K gold are the most popular choices for fine jewelry. 14K offers excellent durability and affordability for everyday wear, while 18K provides a richer yellow color and is preferred for luxury pieces and engagement rings.

Neither is objectively "better", it depends on your lifestyle. 14K is more durable and scratch-resistant because it contains more alloy metals. 18K is purer (75% gold), has a richer color, and is more hypoallergenic, but is slightly softer.

The intrinsic 'melt' value of your gold jewelry depends entirely on its weight, its karat (purity), and the current daily spot price of gold. Our calculator provides this exact melt value. Note that if you sell to a scrap buyer or pawn shop, they will typically pay you 70% to 80% of this melt value.

Karat (with a K) measures the purity of gold (e.g., 24K is pure gold). Carat (with a C) is a unit of weight used for diamonds and gemstones (1 carat = 0.2 grams).

Yes. Lower karat gold (like 9K or 10K) contains more alloy metals, such as copper, silver, zinc, or sometimes nickel. People with sensitive skin or metal allergies often need 18K gold or higher, as the higher gold content reduces the presence of reactive alloys.

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