Scrap Gold
Scrap Gold Calculator
Free scrap gold calculator. Estimate the melt value of scrap gold jewelry of any karat by weight, live spot price, and payout percentage.
Use the calculatorAbout scrap gold
Scrap gold is any gold sold for its metal content rather than its design - broken chains, single earrings, dental gold, bent rings, and worn jewelry. Its value comes down to three things: weight, karat (purity), and the live gold spot price.
This calculator handles every common karat from 8K to 24K. Weigh the piece, pick the karat, and it converts to troy ounces and applies spot. Add multiple pieces to the list to total a full lot.
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 scrap gold 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.
Scrap Gold Calculator questions
How is scrap gold value calculated?
Melt value = weight in troy ounces ? purity ? spot price. The calculator does the gram-to-troy-ounce conversion (? 31.1035) and applies the karat purity automatically.
How do I price a mixed lot of different karats?
Sort by karat first. Calculate each karat group separately, add each to the list, and the calculator totals the lot for you.
Will a buyer pay full melt value for scrap gold?
Usually not - buyers pay a payout percentage of melt to cover refining and margin. Use the payout slider to model a realistic offer, such as 75-90%.
Does dental gold count as scrap gold?
Yes, but dental gold purity varies (often around 16K equivalent). Use Custom purity if you know the alloy, or have it tested.