Gold Melt Value โ Smart Financial Analysis
Calculate the precise melt value of your gold based on weight, karat purity, and current spot price. Know what your gold is worth before selling.
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Gold melt value is what your gold is worth based purely on its metal content โ not craftsmanship or brand. Karat measures gold purity: 24K is 99.9% pure, 18K is 75% (18/24), 14K is 58.3% (14/24), 10K is 41.7%. The gold spot price is the live market price for one troy ounce (31.1g) of pure gold. Scrap value is what dealers actually pay โ typically 60-80% of melt value.
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Why: Gold melt value is what your gold is worth based purely on its metal content โ not craftsmanship or brand. It is calculated as: pure gold weight (grams) ร current spot price per...
How: Enter Weight, Weight Unit, Karat / Purity to get instant results. Try the preset examples to see how different scenarios affect the outcome, then adjust to match your situation.
Run the calculator when you are ready.
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Melt Value by Karat (Bar)
Gold Price History (Line)
Purity Comparison (Doughnut)
Value by Weight (Radar)
For educational purposes only โ not financial advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions.
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Gold Melt Value analysis is used by millions of people worldwide to make better financial decisions.
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What Is Gold Melt Value?
Gold melt value is what your gold is worth based purely on its metal content โ not craftsmanship or brand. At $2,050/oz ($66/g), a 14K wedding ring weighing 5g has a melt value of just $192.72 because only 58.3% is pure gold. Pawn shops typically offer 60-80% of melt value. Gold has been money for 5,000+ years, and central banks hold 35,715 tonnes ($2.3T). This calculator computes exact melt value for any karat and weight.
Sources
LBMA, World Gold Council, Kitco, US Mint
Gold Karat Purity Explained
24K is pure gold (99.9%). 14K = 14/24 = 58.3% pure. Lower karat means more alloy (copper, silver, zinc) and less melt value per gram. Common purities: 10K (41.67%), 14K (58.33%), 18K (75%), 22K (91.67%), 24K (99.9%).
Karat = (pure gold parts / 24) ร 100%. A 14K ring has 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloy.
Gold Spot Price & Live Markets
The gold spot price is the live market price for one troy ounce (31.1g) of pure gold. It fluctuates constantly during trading hours. As of 2026, gold trades around $2,050/oz ($66/g). Check Kitco, LBMA, or your dealer for real-time prices before selling. Price per gram = spot per troy oz รท 31.1035.
Gold Scrap Value vs Melt Value
Scrap value is what dealers actually pay โ typically 60-80% of melt value. Pawn shops offer 60-70%, refiners 70-85%, coin shops 75-90% for recognizable items. The difference covers their margin, testing, and refining costs. Never expect 100% of melt.
Coin shops: 75-90%
Best for coins & bars
Pawn shops: 60-70%
Fast cash, lower payout
Gold Weight Units
Gold is measured in grams (most common), troy ounces (31.1g โ used for spot price), regular ounces (28.35g), pennyweights (1.555g), or kilograms. Always convert to grams for accurate melt calculations. 1 troy oz = 31.1035g. Do not confuse troy oz with avoirdupois oz.
Gold Refining Process
Refining separates pure gold from alloys. Common methods: acid dissolution (aqua regia), electrolysis, or fire assay. Refiners charge 2-10% of melt value. Dental gold, mixed karat lots, and heavily alloyed scrap typically incur higher refining fees.
- Fire assay: Most accurate, used for large lots
- Aqua regia: Dissolves gold, then precipitates pure
- Electrolytic: For high-purity recovery
Verifying Gold Purity
Look for karat stamps (10K, 14K, 18K) on jewelry โ usually inside rings or on clasps. Professional testing: acid test, XRF (X-ray fluorescence), or electronic gold tester. Unstamped items need assay. Counterfeit stamps exist; when in doubt, get a professional test.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using gross weight instead of pure weight. A 10g 14K ring has only 5.83g pure gold. Confusing troy oz (31.1g) with regular oz (28.35g). Using outdated spot prices โ gold moves daily. Ignoring dealer margins โ no one pays 100% of melt.
Wrong: 10g ร $66 = $660
Correct: 10g ร 58.33% ร $66 = $385
When to Sell Gold
Sell when gold prices are high and you need liquidity. Designer or antique pieces may be worth more than melt to collectors. Typical retail jewelry often sells below purchase price. Compare melt value to original cost and consider emotional value. Get multiple quotes from different buyer types.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gold melt value?
Gold melt value is what your gold is worth based purely on its metal content โ not craftsmanship or brand. It is calculated as: pure gold weight (grams) ร current spot price per gram. At $2,050/oz ($66/g), a 14K wedding ring weighing 5g has a melt value of about $192.72 because only 58.3% is pure gold.
What does gold karat purity mean?
Karat measures gold purity: 24K is 99.9% pure, 18K is 75% (18/24), 14K is 58.3% (14/24), 10K is 41.7%. The karat stamp on jewelry indicates purity. Higher karat means more pure gold and higher melt value per gram.
What is the current gold spot price?
The gold spot price is the live market price for one troy ounce (31.1g) of pure gold. It fluctuates constantly. As of 2026, gold trades around $2,050/oz ($66/g). Check Kitco, LBMA, or your dealer for real-time prices before selling.
How much is gold scrap value vs melt value?
Scrap value is what dealers actually pay โ typically 60-80% of melt value. Pawn shops offer 60-70%, refiners 70-85%, coin shops 75-90% for recognizable items. The difference covers their margin, testing, and refining costs.
What weight units are used for gold?
Gold is measured in grams (most common), troy ounces (31.1g โ used for spot price), regular ounces (28.35g), pennyweights (1.555g), or kilograms. Always convert to grams for accurate melt calculations. 1 troy oz = 31.1035g.
How does the gold refining process work?
Refining separates pure gold from alloys. Common methods: acid dissolution (aqua regia), electrolysis, or fire assay. Refiners charge 2-10% of melt value. Dental gold, mixed karat lots, and heavily alloyed scrap typically incur higher refining fees.
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