Scrap Gold Calculator
See what a fair buyer should pay. Enter your items’ weight and karat to get melt value plus realistic payouts at 70%, 80% and 90% — the range honest buyers operate in. 14k currently: $86.00/g.
Last updated · Spot source: gold-api.com · See the full methodology.
Last updated · Spot source: gold-api.com · See the full methodology.
How scrap buyers build their offer
They weigh and assay — total weight in grams, verified against the karat hallmark (and sometimes acid/XRF tested).
They compute melt value — weight × live per-gram price for the karat. This is the number our calculator shows, from the same market data.
They apply their margin — refining costs plus profit, usually 5–40% off melt depending on the buyer.
You compare offers — ask each buyer for their percentage of melt on the same day, since the underlying price moves daily.
Getting the best price for scrap gold
Sell on a day and hour you choose — check our live spot price first; a 1–2% market move changes real money on larger lots. Weigh everything yourself beforehand, separate karats (a single 14k chain in an 18k pile only lowers your average), remove stones, and get quotes from at least three buyers stating the percentage of melt, not just a currency figure.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of melt value do scrap gold buyers pay?
It varies: reputable online refiners typically pay 80–95% of melt, high-street pawn and jewellery shops around 60–80%, and mail-in schemes sometimes less. Always ask for the payout as a percentage of melt — the calculator above shows the numbers at 70%, 80% and 90%.
How do I calculate scrap gold value myself?
Weigh the items, confirm the karat hallmark, and multiply weight by the per-gram melt price for that karat — currently $110.58 for 18k. That product is the melt value; any honest offer is a stated percentage of it.
Is broken or damaged gold worth less?
Not to a refiner — scrap is priced purely by weight and purity, so broken chains and single earrings carry full melt value. Only resellable (second-hand) pieces might fetch more than melt to the right buyer.
What about gemstones and other metals in the piece?
Remove stones before selling as scrap — buyers weigh everything and pay only for the gold content. Mixed-metal pieces (two-tone watches, filled or plated items) need separate evaluation; plating adds no melt value.
Why do different buyers quote different prices?
All buyers reference the same market melt value, but their margins, refining costs and business models differ. That is why comparing offers against the melt figure — not against each other — is the only fair test.