Scrap Gold Value Calculator: Live Melt Price Per Gram (USA 2026)

Scrap Gold Calculator

Live Melt Value for 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k & 24k

Copy the live spot price above into the field below (updates itself every 60s)
Prefer to double check? See: Gold Spot Chart ↗
Estimated Melt Value
$0.00
*This is the raw metal value. Dealers pay 10-20% less.

How to Sell Scrap Gold Without Getting Ripped Off

Selling old jewelry is one of the quickest ways to generate cash, but the "Cash for Gold" industry is full of traps. Use this Scrap Gold Calculator to determine the exact melt value of your items before you walk into a pawn shop. The tool above pulls a live gold spot price automatically, so every number you see reflects today's actual market — not a stale rate from last week.

⚠️ Seller Warning: Never accept the first offer. Many buyers will try to offer you 50% of the value. Aim for 70% to 85% of the price shown in the calculator above.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Value Your Gold at Home

  1. Identify the Karat: Use a magnifying glass to find the stamp (e.g., 14k, 585, 750) on your ring or chain. No stamp doesn't always mean fake — older or handmade pieces sometimes lack one, so a jeweler's acid test may be needed.
  2. Weigh It: Use a digital kitchen scale (0.01g precision is best). If you don't have one, a local post office or jewelry store can weigh it in grams for free.
  3. Check Today's Live Price: The calculator above auto-loads the current XAU/USD spot rate every time you open this page, and refreshes every 60 seconds so you're never looking at an outdated number.
  4. Calculate: Enter your weight and karat into the tool above to see the maximum potential melt value before any dealer discount.
  5. Get Multiple Quotes: Visit or call at least 2-3 buyers (local jeweler, pawn shop, online refiner) and compare their offer to the number this calculator gives you.

Today's Live Scrap Gold Price Per Gram (By Karat)

This table follows the price you enter above (matched to the live widget), so you always see current scrap gold prices per gram for every common karat — from 10k class rings to 24k bullion.

KaratPurityPrice / Gram (USD)
10K41.7%—
14K58.5%—
18K75.0%—
22K91.6%—
24K99.9%—

Raw melt value only — actual dealer payout is typically 70-85% of these figures. White gold and rose gold use the same karat percentages since the karat number always refers to pure gold content, regardless of the alloy color.

Why Does Scrap Gold Price Change Every Day?

Gold trades as a global commodity on markets that are open nearly around the clock, so the spot price moves constantly based on the US dollar's strength, inflation data, interest rate decisions, and overall investor demand for safe-haven assets. This is exactly why a "gold scrap price today" search brings up different numbers than it did yesterday, and why any calculator that doesn't refresh its price live is showing you outdated, potentially inaccurate information.

Where to Sell Your Scrap Gold in the USA

Not all buyers pay the same percentage of melt value. Here's a quick comparison so you know what to expect before you walk in anywhere:

Local Pawn Shop

Fast, but lower offers

Instant cash, no shipping. Typically pays 40-65% of melt value since they need resale margin.

Local Jeweler

Fair for nice pieces

May pay more if the piece is sellable as-is rather than for melt. Best for intact, in-style jewelry.

Online Refiner

Best for scrap/broken gold

Mail-in refiners often pay 80-90% of melt value for pure scrap since they process by weight, not resale value.

Common Scams to Avoid When Selling Gold

  • The "wrong karat" trick: Some buyers deliberately misread a 14k stamp as 10k to lower the offer. Double-check the stamp yourself with a loupe or magnifying glass before you go in.
  • Weighing with stones attached: A dishonest buyer may quote based on total item weight including diamonds or gemstones, then only pay gold-metal price — effectively shortchanging you. Always ask for the gold-only weight.
  • "Today only" pressure offers: Legitimate buyers don't need to rush you. If a shop pressures you to sell immediately at a "special today only" rate, walk out and get a second quote.
  • No public spot price reference: A trustworthy buyer will show you the current spot price and explain their percentage. If they refuse to reveal the day's XAU/USD rate, that's a red flag.

Gold Purity Chart (Quick Reference)

Marking Karat Gold Content %
999 / .999 24K 99.9% (Pure)
916 / .916 22K 91.6%
750 / .750 18K 75.0%
585 / 14k 14K 58.5%
417 / 10k 10K 41.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Spot Price" vs. "Melt Value"?
Spot Price is the price of pure 24k gold on the stock market. Melt Value is the value of the actual gold inside your jewelry (which is mixed with other metals like copper).
How much is 14k gold worth per gram today?
It depends on the daily market, but generally, 14k gold is worth about 58.5% of the pure gold spot price. Check the live per-gram table above for today's exact number — it updates automatically with the current spot rate.
Do stones or gems count?
No. Gold buyers only pay for the metal weight. You should remove any diamonds or gemstones before weighing your item, or the buyer will deduct weight for them.
What is the current scrap gold price per gram?
This changes throughout the day as the gold market moves. The live price widget at the top of this page shows today's spot rate, and the table below it breaks that down into price per gram for 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, and 24k.
Do pawn shops pay a fair price for gold?
Pawn shops usually offer less than jewelers or online refiners because they need resale margin, typically 40-65% of true melt value. Always compare their offer against the calculator above before accepting.
Does white gold or rose gold sell for the same price as yellow gold?
Yes, for the same karat. The color comes from the alloy mixed in (like palladium or copper), but the karat number always represents the same percentage of pure gold, so 14k white gold and 14k yellow gold have the same melt value per gram.
Can I sell gold that has no karat stamp?
Yes, but a buyer will need to test it first (acid test or XRF machine) to confirm purity before quoting a price, since there's no stamp to rely on.
How often does the live gold price update on this page?
The live price widget at the top refreshes itself roughly every 60 seconds while the page is open, so the spot rate you see stays current with the market.

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