Calculate the melt value of broken or unwanted gold rings, chains, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings using live spot rates.
Real-world payout estimates from refineries, pawn shops, and local gold buyers
When selling scrap gold jewelry, buyers quote cash offers based on a percentage of melt value. Refineries pay higher percentages (85–97%), while pawn shops and mail-in cash-for-gold services deduct larger margins.
Live scrap rate per gram for popular jewelry purities
Rates reflect pure melt values calculated from current gold spot prices. Select a karat tier to view per-gram rates.
Three steps — inspect hallmarks, weigh net gold, calculate melt value
Women's rings typically weigh 2 to 4 grams ($120 to $240 melt in 14K). Men's heavy wedding bands weigh 6 to 10 grams ($360 to $600 melt in 14K). Class rings weigh 8 to 15 grams ($345 to $650 melt in 10K).
Thin gold chains weigh 2 to 6 grams. Medium rope or figaro chains weigh 10 to 25 grams ($600 to $1,500 melt in 14K). Heavy Cuban link chains weigh 30 to 100+ grams ($2,300 to $7,800+ melt in 18K).
Bangle bracelets weigh 10 to 30 grams. Single lost earrings weigh 1 to 3 grams — even unmatched earrings carry full scrap melt value based on net gold weight.
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Understanding retail markup vs. raw metal melt value
Retail gold jewelry carries high markups for design, manufacturing, labor, and branding. When selling jewelry as scrap metal, buyers pay strictly for recoverable fine gold weight.
Retail jewelry prices include 100% to 300%+ markups above gold content. Scrap gold buyers calculate cash offers purely on raw melt value. Branded pieces (Cartier, Tiffany) should be evaluated for retail resale before scrapping.
Yellow gold alloys combine gold with copper and silver. White gold alloys combine gold with nickel, palladium, or zinc. Rose gold uses higher copper content. All colors of the same karat (e.g. 14K white, yellow, or rose) contain the exact same 58.3% pure gold content.
Gemstones, cubic zirconias, watch movements, and steel spring clasps do not contain gold. Removing them prior to weighing ensures accurate valuation and prevents buyers from over-estimating deductions.
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
By multiplying net gold weight in grams by purity fraction (karat ÷ 24) and the live gold spot price per troy ounce. Design, brand, and retail markup are excluded when selling for scrap.
An average 5g 14K ring has a melt value of ~$303.35 at a $3,235/oz spot price. Cash payouts typically range from 75% to 90% of melt value ($227 to $273).
Most scrap buyers deduct stone weight and pay strictly for net gold content. Large or high-quality stones should be removed before selling.
A 15g 14K chain is worth ~$910.05 in melt value at $3,235/oz spot. A 30g 18K chain is worth ~$2,340.25.
Any solid gold jewelry: broken chains, single lost earrings, bent rings, class rings, gold watch cases, bangles, and dental gold alloys.
Antique, vintage, or designer brand jewelry (Tiffany, Cartier) may command resale premiums above melt value from estate jewelers or collectors.
Check inside ring shanks, chain clasps, or earring backs for 10K (417), 14K (585), 18K (750), or 22K (916) markings.
