Estate Jewelry
Estate Jewelry Calculator
Free estate jewelry calculator. Estimate the melt value of inherited or estate gold and silver jewelry by weight, karat, and live spot price.
Use the calculatorAbout estate jewelry
Estate and inherited jewelry often arrives as a mixed lot - different karats, silver pieces, and items with stones. The first step in valuing it is to separate the metal melt value from any collectible or designer value, which can be higher than melt.
Sort the lot by metal and karat, weigh each group, and use the calculator to total the melt value. Add each group to the list to build a combined estimate. For signed, antique, or gem-set pieces, consider a separate appraisal before selling for scrap.
Worked example at an illustrative gold spot of $4,000.00 per troy ounce (use the live price above for current figures):
How to calculate estate jewelry value
- Weigh the item. Use a digital gram or pennyweight scale. Heavier, solid pieces give the most reliable estimate.
- Select the metal and purity. Pick gold, silver, or platinum, then choose the karat or fineness. Use Custom to enter an exact percentage.
- Confirm the live spot price. The calculator fills in the current spot price automatically. Edit it if you use a different quote.
- Calculate and adjust payout. Press Calculate to see the melt value, then move the payout slider to model a buying offer.
Estate Jewelry Calculator questions
How do I value inherited gold jewelry?
Sort by karat, weigh each group, and calculate melt value at the live spot price. Add each group to the list for a lot total. Melt value is the metal floor; designer or antique pieces may be worth more.
Should I sell estate jewelry for melt value?
Plain or broken pieces are usually sold for melt. But signed designer, antique, or gem-set jewelry can be worth well above melt, so have those appraised before scrapping them.
How do I handle a mixed lot of gold and silver?
Separate gold from silver and group by karat or fineness. Calculate each group on its own metal setting, since gold and silver have very different spot prices and purities.
Do gemstones add to the melt value?
No. Melt value covers only the precious metal. Diamonds and colored stones may carry separate value but are not part of the metal estimate.