The short answer
Gold is worth what it weighs, scaled by its purity. At today’s spot price of $4,098.00 per troy ounce, a gram of 14K gold has about $76.86 of melt value, a gram of 18K about $98.82 and a gram of 10K about $54.90. Multiply by the weight of your piece in grams. The rest of this page shows what typical items weigh, so you can see the order of magnitude before you pick up a scale.
Typical weights and melt values
Weights vary a lot between pieces, so treat these as rough ranges, not averages. Melt values are at the current spot price, before any buyer margin.
| Item | Typical karat | Typical weight | Melt value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's plain wedding band | 14K | 2–4 g | $154–$307 |
| Men's plain wedding band | 14K | 4–9 g | $307–$692 |
| Class ring | 10K | 8–16 g | $439–$878 |
| Pair of small stud earrings | 14K | 0.5–2 g | $38–$154 |
| Thin chain necklace (18 in) | 14K | 2–6 g | $154–$461 |
| Medium chain necklace (20 in) | 14K | 8–20 g | $615–$1,537 |
| Heavy chain (Cuban or rope) | 14K | 25–60 g | $1,921–$4,611 |
| Bracelet | 14K | 5–20 g | $384–$1,537 |
| Small pendant or charm | 14K | 1–4 g | $77–$307 |
| Fine jewelry ring | 18K | 3–8 g | $296–$791 |
These are illustrations, not valuations. Hollow, light-gauge and fashion pieces are often lighter than solid ones of the same size, and heavy chains can weigh far more than the ranges shown.
How to find the real figure for your piece
- Find the karat. Look for a stamp such as 10K, 14K, 18K or 585. The hallmarks and stamps guide explains each mark and which ones mean plated.
- Weigh it in grams. A scale accurate to 0.01 g costs little and avoids the troy-versus-standard-ounce mistake.
- Remove what is not gold. Subtract stones, pearls and non-gold parts. The melt value guide shows how.
- Run the numbers. Use the gold calculator, or the calculator for your karat: 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K.
Melt value is not the price you will be paid
Anyone who buys your gold to melt it needs a margin. These are illustrative payout ranges:
| Buyer | Typical share of melt value |
|---|---|
| Pawn shop | 40–60% |
| Local jeweler or coin shop | 65–80% |
| Mail-in or online buyer | 75–85% |
| Refinery | 90–98% |
Get several quotes and compare them as a percentage of your melt value. How to sell scrap gold covers the process, and the scrap gold calculator shows a cash estimate at each buyer type.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a gold ring worth?
It depends on its weight and karat. A plain 14K ring of 4 grams has about $307.43 of melt value at the current spot price. Weigh your ring in grams and use the calculator for an exact figure.
How do I find out how much my gold is worth?
Read the karat stamp, weigh the piece in grams, subtract the weight of any stones, and multiply by the karat fraction and the current spot price per gram. The gold calculator on this site does this automatically.
Why did a jeweler offer me less than the calculator shows?
The calculator shows melt value, the worth of the metal. Buyers pay a percentage of that to cover refining, testing and risk, typically 40–60% at pawn shops, 65–80% at jewelers and 90–98% from refiners before fees. Compare offers as a percentage of melt value.
Is broken or damaged gold jewelry worth less?
Not for scrap. Melt value depends on weight and karat, so a broken chain is worth the same as an intact one of the same weight. Damage only matters for resale value, which is a different market.
Is old gold jewelry worth more than melt value?
Sometimes. Antique, signed or designer pieces can sell for more than their metal value, but a scrap buyer will only pay for the metal. If you suspect a piece is collectible, get a second opinion from an appraiser before selling it for scrap.