How much is 1 gram of gold worth today and how does purity affect the value?

A gram's estimated metal value depends on the current spot price and the item's gold fineness. Divide the USD spot price per troy ounce by 31.1034768 to estimate pure-gold value per gram, then multiply by the fineness fraction—for example, 0.916 for 22K. The result is a spot-based estimate, not a retail jewelry price or guaranteed buyer offer. Check the live price shown in the calculator because market prices and exchange rates change.

How can I find out how much my gold jewelry is worth without any obligation to sell?

Weigh the gold portion, identify its fineness if known, and enter those values in the KaratWorth Gold Calculator. Hallmarks can help, but they do not independently prove purity; have valuable or uncertain pieces tested by a qualified professional. The calculator estimates metal value from the entered weight, purity and available spot price. It is not a formal appraisal and does not account for every factor that may affect resale, such as gemstones, brand, condition or collector demand.

Why is melt value different from what a buyer will actually pay me?

Melt value estimates the value of the item's gold content at spot price. It is neither a guaranteed sale price nor an absolute ceiling: a buyer's offer may account for purity testing, refining, fees, condition, resale channel and market demand. Compare written offers using the same weight and purity assumptions, and check the net amount after deductions. The Gold Offer Checker compares an entered offer with the calculator's estimate; it cannot certify a buyer or determine a universally fair payout.

Does the design, brand, or craftsmanship of my jewelry add value beyond melt value?

For scrap gold sales, design, brand, and craftsmanship add zero value - scrap buyers and refiners melt everything and pay only for the gold content. However, for intact sales to collectors, dealers, or through resale platforms, these factors can dramatically increase value. Brand premium: pieces from Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, and Harry Winston routinely sell for 30-80% of original retail price in the secondary market, far above melt value. A Cartier Love bracelet with a melt value of $3,000 might sell for $8,000-12,000 intact due to brand recognition. Craftsmanship value: hand-engraved, filigree, or artisan pieces from recognized makers can command premiums of 50-200% above melt. Historical significance: vintage Art Deco pieces, Victorian mourning jewelry, or pieces from notable historical periods can sell for 5-10x melt value to collectors. Gemstones: diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds with independent value can dominate a piece's worth, with a 2-carat D-color diamond adding $20,000+ regardless of the gold setting's melt value. Before selling any potentially valuable piece as scrap, get an independent appraisal from a certified appraiser (GIA, ASA, or ISA credentials). The cost of an appraisal ($50-150) is negligible compared to the thousands of dollars you might lose by melting a collectible piece.

How often does gold price change and why does timing matter for valuation?

Gold spot prices trade nearly 24 hours a day across global markets and can fluctuate significantly - sometimes by $20-50 per troy ounce within a single trading session. The London Bullion Market opens at 8:00 AM GMT, COMEX in New York opens at 8:20 AM EST, and the Shanghai Gold Exchange trades during Asian hours, creating overlapping sessions where prices are continuously updated. Key factors causing price movement include: macroeconomic data releases (US jobs reports, inflation figures, GDP data), central bank policy announcements (Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, ECB statements), geopolitical events (wars, elections, trade disputes), currency movements (USD strength or weakness directly affects gold prices), and large institutional trades (central bank purchases or sales can move markets). For valuation purposes, always use the most current spot price available. A quote from yesterday may be off by 1-3%, which translates to hundreds of dollars on a substantial holding. The KaratWorth calculators fetch live spot prices automatically and update them continuously. If you are valuing gold for insurance, estate planning, or loan collateral, use the price at the specific date of valuation and document it, as prices change over time and historical valuations become outdated.

How Much Is My Gold Worth? | Calculator Guide

Start with the math

The Gold Value Formula

Every gold value calculator - including ours - runs on the same underlying formula. Once you understand it, you can sanity-check any offer you're given.

The calculation

Gold Value = Weight (g) x Purity (%) x Spot Price per Gram

Example: 10g x 75% (18K) x $85/g spot = $637.50 melt value

This gives you the melt value - the value of the raw gold content. It is not the same as what a buyer will pay you (more on that below), and it does not include any craftsmanship, brand, or gemstone value.

How to use this estimate

KaratWorth estimates the metal content from the weight, purity, and market rate you enter. The calculator labels the rate as live, stale, loading, or unavailable based on the latest response, and you can enter a manual rate when needed. Treat the result as a starting point for comparison, not as a buyer quote or an appraisal.

A clear four-part method

4 Steps to Value Your Gold Yourself

Step 1

Weigh Your Gold

Use a kitchen or jewelry scale accurate to at least 0.1 grams. Weigh the item exactly as it is - including gemstones or clasps, since they don't add gold value but you'll want the total weight for context.

Step 2

Find the Purity (Karat)

Look for a hallmark stamp: 24K, 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K, 9K, or a fineness number like 916, 750, 585, 417, 375. No stamp doesn't always mean fake - but it does mean you should verify before assuming solid gold.

Step 3

Get Today's Spot Price

Spot price is the current market price of pure (24K/999) gold per ounce or gram, and it changes throughout every trading day. This is the baseline every calculation starts from.

Step 4

Calculate Melt Value

Melt value = weight x purity (%) x spot price per gram. This tells you the raw metal value - what your gold is worth if melted down today, before any dealer margin.

Understanding an offer

Melt Value vs. What a Buyer Will Actually Pay

Melt value is an estimate of the gold content at the current spot price, not a guaranteed minimum or final buyer offer. A real quote may reflect purity testing, fees, condition, resale channel and demand.

01 / VERIFYConfirm the weightCompare the buyer's measured gold weight with your estimate

02 / TESTCheck the purityAsk how fineness was tested and what assumptions were used

03 / COMPARECompare net offersRequest any deductions and fees in writing before deciding

What moves the estimate

What Affects Your Gold's Price

01Spot price at the moment of sale - it moves constantly during market hours
02Purity (karat/fineness) - higher karat means more actual gold per gram
03Total weight - always weigh gemstone-free or subtract estimated stone weight for accuracy
04Your local currency and unit conventions - tola, vori, bhori, or gram depending on region
05Who you sell to - a refiner, jeweler, or pawn shop each apply a different margin
06Whether the item has extra value beyond gold - designer brand, rare coin premium, or antique value

Compare the inputs

Real-World Examples

ItemWeightPurityNotes

14K Gold Ring5g14K (58.5%)Common US/Canada wedding ring weight

22K Gold Bangle20g22K (91.6%)Typical South Asian bridal jewelry piece

18K Gold Necklace10g18K (75%)Common fine jewelry chain

24K Gold Coin1 troy oz (31.1g)24K (99.9%)Investment-grade bullion coin

Plug your own item's weight and karat into the calculator below to get an exact figure at today's spot price.

Continue with your own item

Calculate Your Exact Gold Value

Skip the manual math - enter your details into one of our free calculators for an instant, precise result:

Gold CalculatorFull value by weight, karat, and spot price Scrap Gold CalculatorMelt value plus realistic buyer payout Jewelry Value CalculatorFor rings, chains, and mixed-metal pieces 22K Jewelry ValueEstimate 22K or 916 jewelry value Stone Deduction CalculatorSeparate non gold weight from the estimate Gold Offer CheckerCheck whether an offer you received is fair Offer ComparisonCompare multiple buyer offers

How Much Is My Gold Worth - FAQ

Free Calculator

Get your exact gold value in seconds

Enter your weight, karat, and let live spot price do the rest.

Try the Gold Calculator →How to Sell for the Most Money

Next tools and guides

Scrap Gold Calculator

Melt value and buyer payout estimate

Gold Purity Guide

Understand karat and fineness

How to Sell Gold for the Most Money

Get the best price when you sell

Gold Offer Checker

Is your offer fair?

This is an estimate based on spot price. Actual buyer offers may vary based on market, fees, condition, purity verification, and dealer margin. Not financial advice, tax advice, religious advice, or an official offer to buy or sell precious metals. Always verify with a qualified professional before making important decisions.

How Much Is My Gold Worth? A Complete Step-by-Step Guide