Calculate the net gold melt value of gold-filled (1/20 GF, 1/10 GF) scrap jewelry, vintage eyeglasses, and watch cases.
Payout benchmarks for gold filled scrap due to chemical stripping costs
Chemical refining of gold-filled items requires stripping base metal cores in acid baths. As a result, refineries charge higher refining spreads (15–30%) compared to solid karat scrap.
Live market spot prices reference for gold scrap
Rates show spot market prices per unit across standard karats. Select a karat to update the rate cards.
Three steps — inspect markings, weigh clean scrap, calculate gold yield
1/20 12K Gold Filled contains 5% gold alloy by weight at 50% purity (yielding 2.5% pure 24K gold content). 1/20 14K GF contains 5% gold alloy at 58.3% purity (yielding 2.915% pure 24K gold content).
Vintage 20-year or 25-year gold-filled pocket watch cases weigh 30 to 60 grams once watch movements are removed. A 40g 1/20 12K GF case yields 1.0g of pure 24K gold (~$104 melt value).
Vintage gold-filled eyeglass frames (Artcraft, Shuron) and Cross gold-filled pens are popular gold-filled scrap items. Always remove glass lenses, plastic ear pads, and ink cartridges before weighing.
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What makes gold-filled different from solid gold and gold plating
Gold-filled material consists of a thick outer sheet of karat gold heat-bonded to brass. By US federal law (FTC), 1/20 (5%) of the item's total weight must be karat gold.
In gold-filled items, a sheet of karat gold is heat-and-pressure bonded to a brass core. Unlike thin electroplating (which wears off quickly), gold-filled layer thickness resists tarnish and wear for decades.
Because gold-filled material contains 95% base metal (brass/copper), smelters must dissolve base metals in nitric or sulfuric acid before recovering gold. This additional chemical processing is why refineries charge higher fees for GF scrap.
Watch for stamps like '1/20 14K RGP' (Rolled Gold Plate) or 'HGE' (Heavy Gold Electroplate) — these have thinner gold layers than genuine 1/20 GF items.
Compare live spot prices across gold, silver, platinum, and palladium
Precious metal spot rates updated live from commodity exchanges.
Specialized tools for every scrap gold scenario — pick the one that matches your gold item.
41.7% Pure · America's standard gold alloy
58.3% Pure · Most popular US jewelry gold
75.0% Pure · Premium luxury jewelry standard
91.7% – 99.9% Pure · High-purity coins & bullion
Grams, DWT, Troy Oz, Grains & Milligrams
Rings, chains, bracelets & damaged jewelry
Sovereigns, Eagles, Krugerrands & Maples
1/20 GF & 1/10 GF layer weight ratios
Real-time market spot rates & refiner margins
Gold-filled consists of a solid layer of karat gold heat-bonded to base metal. By law, 5% (1/20) of total weight must be karat gold.
Gross weight × gold alloy ratio (5% for 1/20 GF, 10% for 1/10 GF) × karat purity fraction × live spot price ÷ 31.1035.
Gold-filled contains 5% gold by weight (valuable scrap). Gold-plated has microscopic coatings with near-zero melt value.
Look for stamps like '1/20 12K GF', '1/20 14K GF', '1/10 10K GF', or 'Gold Filled' on watch cases, frames, and chains.
Pawn shops often pay low rates or decline GF. Specialized precious metal refiners buy gold-filled scrap in bulk lots.
Contains 5g of 14K alloy (2.915g pure 24K gold), worth ~$303.20 in pure gold melt value before refining fees.
Yes, vintage GF pocket watch cases contain good metal value once non-gold movement parts are removed.
