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

The value of 1 gram of gold depends entirely on two factors: the current international spot price and the purity (karat) of the gold. The spot price changes constantly during trading hours as gold is bought and sold on global exchanges like COMEX and the London Bullion Market. To calculate the value of 1 gram at any purity: first, divide the spot price per troy ounce by 31.1035 to get the price per gram of pure 24K gold. For example, at a spot price of $2,500 per troy ounce, pure 24K gold is worth $80.38 per gram. Then multiply by the purity percentage. For 22K (91.6% pure): $80.38 x 0.916 = $73.63 per gram. For 18K (75% pure): $80.38 x 0.750 = $60.29 per gram. For 14K (58.5% pure): $80.38 x 0.585 = $47.02 per gram. For 9K (37.5% pure): $80.38 x 0.375 = $30.14 per gram. These values change every trading day and sometimes within hours. The KaratWorth Gold Calculator uses live spot prices from api.metals.live and automatically adjusts for your chosen purity, giving you the current melt value per gram in real time. Currency conversion is also applied for local markets.

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

You can determine your gold jewelry's exact melt value in minutes without selling anything or visiting a buyer. The process is simple and free using the KaratWorth Gold Calculator: first, weigh your piece accurately using a digital jewelry scale that measures to at least 0.01 gram. Remove any non-gold components (gemstones, steel clasps, enamel) if possible. Second, identify the purity by checking for hallmarks stamped on the inside of rings, on clasp tags, or on the back of pendants. Common stamps include 24K or 999 for pure gold, 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K, and 375 for 9K. If no stamp is visible, the piece may be plated or of uncertain purity - have it tested by a jeweler. Third, enter the weight and purity into the KaratWorth Gold Calculator, which uses the current live spot price to compute the melt value instantly. The calculator shows you the theoretical value of the pure gold content with no obligation, no pressure, and no need to share personal information. This knowledge is powerful: it prevents you from accepting lowball offers from uninformed buyers and gives you a firm baseline for any future sale or insurance claim.

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

Melt value represents the theoretical worth of the pure gold content in your jewelry if it were melted down and sold as raw metal at the current spot price. It is the absolute ceiling value of a piece. However, no buyer can pay 100% of melt value because they are running a business with real costs and profit requirements. These costs include: refining and assay fees to verify purity and separate gold from alloys ($20-100 per batch), business overhead such as rent, utilities, staff, and insurance, market risk since gold prices may drop between purchase and resale, inventory holding costs that tie up capital, transportation and security expenses for moving physical gold, and profit margin of typically 5-15%. Therefore, reputable buyers offer 70-85% of melt value, which covers their costs while allowing a modest profit. An offer of 90% is excellent and rare, usually reserved for large quantities of pure, hallmarked gold. An offer below 70% is low and you should seek additional quotes. The gap between melt value and sale price is not evidence of dishonesty - it is the economic reality of the precious metals business. The KaratWorth Gold Offer Checker instantly rates any buyer's offer against industry benchmarks so you know whether you are getting a fair deal.

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

The value of 1 gram of gold depends entirely on two factors: the current international spot price and the purity (karat) of the gold. The spot price changes constantly during trading hours as gold is bought and sold on global exchanges like COMEX and the London Bullion Market. To calculate the value of 1 gram at any purity: first, divide the spot price per troy ounce by 31.1035 to get the price per gram of pure 24K gold. For example, at a spot price of $2,500 per troy ounce, pure 24K gold is worth $80.38 per gram. Then multiply by the purity percentage. For 22K (91.6% pure): $80.38 × 0.916 = $73.63 per gram. For 18K (75% pure): $80.38 × 0.750 = $60.29 per gram. For 14K (58.5% pure): $80.38 × 0.585 = $47.02 per gram. For 9K (37.5% pure): $80.38 × 0.375 = $30.14 per gram. These values change every trading day and sometimes within hours. The KaratWorth Gold Calculator uses live spot prices from api.metals.live and automatically adjusts for your chosen purity, giving you the current melt value per gram in real time. Currency conversion is also applied for local markets.

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

You can determine your gold jewelry's exact melt value in minutes without selling anything or visiting a buyer. The process is simple and free using the KaratWorth Gold Calculator: first, weigh your piece accurately using a digital jewelry scale that measures to at least 0.01 gram. Remove any non-gold components (gemstones, steel clasps, enamel) if possible. Second, identify the purity by checking for hallmarks stamped on the inside of rings, on clasp tags, or on the back of pendants. Common stamps include 24K or 999 for pure gold, 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K, and 375 for 9K. If no stamp is visible, the piece may be plated or of uncertain purity — have it tested by a jeweler. Third, enter the weight and purity into the KaratWorth Gold Calculator, which uses the current live spot price to compute the melt value instantly. The calculator shows you the theoretical value of the pure gold content with no obligation, no pressure, and no need to share personal information. This knowledge is powerful: it prevents you from accepting lowball offers from uninformed buyers and gives you a firm baseline for any future sale or insurance claim.

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

Melt value represents the theoretical worth of the pure gold content in your jewelry if it were melted down and sold as raw metal at the current spot price. It is the absolute ceiling value of a piece. However, no buyer can pay 100% of melt value because they are running a business with real costs and profit requirements. These costs include: refining and assay fees to verify purity and separate gold from alloys ($20-100 per batch), business overhead such as rent, utilities, staff, and insurance, market risk since gold prices may drop between purchase and resale, inventory holding costs that tie up capital, transportation and security expenses for moving physical gold, and profit margin of typically 5-15%. Therefore, reputable buyers offer 70-85% of melt value, which covers their costs while allowing a modest profit. An offer of 90% is excellent and rare, usually reserved for large quantities of pure, hallmarked gold. An offer below 70% is low and you should seek additional quotes. The gap between melt value and sale price is not evidence of dishonesty — it is the economic reality of the precious metals business. The KaratWorth Gold Offer Checker instantly rates any buyer's offer against industry benchmarks so you know whether you are getting a fair deal.

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 do I calculate the total value of a mixed collection of gold jewelry with different karats?

Calculating the total value of a mixed gold collection requires valuing each piece individually and summing the results. The systematic approach is: first, sort your collection by karat or purity. Create separate piles for 24K/999, 22K/916, 18K/750, 14K/585, 10K/417, and any pieces of unknown purity. Second, weigh each group separately using a digital scale accurate to 0.01 gram. Third, for each group, use the KaratWorth Gold Calculator to compute the melt value by entering the group weight and purity. The calculator automatically applies the current spot price and purity percentage. Fourth, sum all the individual melt values for the collection total. Fifth, estimate your realistic sale proceeds by applying 75-85% of the total melt value (the typical range from reputable buyers). For example, a collection containing 20g of 22K gold ($1,473 melt), 15g of 18K gold ($904 melt), and 10g of 14K gold ($470 melt) has a total melt value of $2,847. A realistic sale would yield approximately $2,100-2,400 after buyer margins. If the collection contains branded or vintage pieces, separate them for individual appraisal before grouping them with scrap. The KaratWorth Scrap Gold Calculator can also handle mixed karat inputs and compute a blended value. Document each piece's weight, purity, and calculated value for insurance, estate, or personal records.

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

Every piece of gold has a calculable melt value based on three things: how much it weighs, how pure it is, and today's spot price. Here's exactly how to work it out yourself - in under two minutes.

Fetching live spot price…

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.

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.

4 Steps to Value Your Gold Yourself

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.

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.

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.

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.

Melt Value vs. What a Buyer Will Actually Pay

Melt value is the theoretical maximum - the value of the pure gold if you extracted and refined it perfectly with zero cost. In practice, no buyer pays 100% of melt value, because they need to cover their own margin, refining costs, and risk.

70-85% of melt

Reputable local jewelers and refiners - your best realistic offer

40-70% of melt

Pawn shops and cash-for-gold chains - convenient but lower payout

Below 40% of melt

Mail-in gold buyers and predatory offers - a red flag, always compare

What Affects Your Gold's Price

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

Real-World Examples

Item	Weight	Purity	Notes
14K Gold Ring	5g	14K (58.5%)	Common US/Canada wedding ring weight
22K Gold Bangle	20g	22K (91.6%)	Typical South Asian bridal jewelry piece
18K Gold Necklace	10g	18K (75%)	Common fine jewelry chain
24K Gold Coin	1 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.

Calculate Your Exact Gold Value

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

Gold Calculator

Full value by weight, karat, and spot price

Scrap Gold Calculator

Melt value plus realistic buyer payout

Jewelry Value Calculator

For rings, chains, and mixed-metal pieces

Gold Offer Checker

Check whether an offer you received is fair

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

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Scrap Gold Calculator

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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.

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