Methodology-backed reference
Useful ranges. No invented quotes.
These illustrative payout bands and regional unit references help you frame a conversation with a buyer. They are modeled guidance, not observed market data or a live price feed.
Illustrative payout bands
How offers relate to melt value
70-90%
of estimated melt value
Gold scrap and jewelry buyers
Lower end: small lots, uncertain purity, fees, or a buyer with more refining risk.
Upper end: verified material, competitive buyers, and a clear lot with low processing friction.
What this is - and is not
This page publishes a transparent framework for thinking about offers as a percentage of melt value.
It does not report a survey, regional average, dealer quote, or historical observation. No range here should be read as a promise.
Reference table
Regional units and conventions
| Market context | Common reference | Gram equivalent | Reading note |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Asia | Standard tola / bhori / vori | 11.6638 g | Pakistan market tola may be 12.5 g; confirm the local convention. |
| Gulf markets | Gram / kilogram / troy ounce | 1 g / 1,000 g / 31.1035 g | Retail quotes often separate metal value from making charges and VAT. |
| United Kingdom | Gram / troy ounce | 1 g / 31.1035 g | Common jewelry hallmarks include 375, 585, 750 and 916. |
| North America | Gram / pennyweight / troy ounce | 1 g / 1.5552 g / 31.1035 g | Buyer payout depends on assay, lot size and the material stream. |
Start with melt
Weight × purity × reference spot price gives a metal-value baseline before fees.
Confirm the unit
A tola, vori, bhori or pennyweight is not interchangeable without its gram factor.
Ask what is included
Assay, refining, stones, tax, transport and dealer margin can all change a final offer.
Method in one paragraph
KaratWorth expresses a buyer payout as a percentage of melt value so users can compare offers on a common basis. The illustrative bands are intentionally broad and qualitative: they describe plausible buyer-context differences rather than claiming a measured market average. For a real decision, calculate the melt value using a current, independently verified spot price and ask the buyer to state every deduction.
Read the full methodologyMarket benchmarks on this page are illustrative educational guidance only. They are not observed market data, dealer quotes, financial advice, appraisals, or guaranteed payout ranges. Verify current rates, purity, fees, taxes and buyer terms independently.