Scrap Gold Calculator
Estimate the value of your scrap gold before selling. Get realistic expectations for old jewelry, broken pieces, and gold items destined for refining.
Enter total scrap weight and average purity for a melt value estimate
What Is Scrap Gold and How Is It Valued?
Scrap gold includes any gold item valued primarily for its metal content rather than craftsmanship or collectibility. This encompasses broken jewelry, single earrings, outdated pieces, dental gold, gold-filled items, and industrial gold waste.
When you sell scrap gold, buyers calculate the melt value—the worth of the pure gold content—then subtract their costs for refining, operating expenses, and profit margin. Typical offers range from 60% to 85% of melt value depending on the buyer and quantity.
Our calculator shows you the theoretical melt value at current spot prices. This represents the maximum baseline value. Use this figure to evaluate offers and negotiate from an informed position rather than accepting the first price quoted.
Example: Mixed Scrap Gold Lot
Frequently Asked Questions
Buyers must cover refining costs (1-5%), operational expenses (rent, labor, equipment), and generate profit. They also factor in risk from price fluctuations between buying and selling. Professional buyers typically pay 60-85% of melt value.
Get multiple quotes, know your gold's weight and approximate purity, check current spot prices, consider larger buyers with lower margins, and avoid cash-for-gold shops in malls or temporary locations which typically pay less.
Yes, separating by karat usually gets better prices. Mixed lots are often quoted at the lowest karat present. Organized, tested lots signal to buyers that you're informed, which can improve offers.
Gold-plated items have negligible gold content and typically aren't purchased. Gold-filled items (marked 1/10 or 1/20) contain some recoverable gold but at much lower percentages than solid karat gold.
Most scrap buyers don't pay for stones and may charge for removal. Small accent stones are usually ignored, but larger gemstones should be evaluated separately by a jeweler—they may be worth more than the gold.
Ready to calculate exact values for your gold collection? Use our full calculator to evaluate each item individually with precise weights and karats.
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