March 23, 2026
How Much Is Gold Worth Per Gram? Price Guide & Calculator
Understanding Gold Prices Per Gram
Gold is priced internationally by the troy ounce (31.1 grams, slightly heavier than a standard ounce). But most people buying, selling, or valuing gold jewelry and scrap gold need to know the price per gram. As of early 2026, gold spot price is approximately $2,900 to $3,100 per troy ounce, which translates to roughly $93 to $100 per gram for pure 24-karat gold.
However, most gold jewelry is not pure gold. It is alloyed with other metals for durability. The karat marking tells you the purity, and the purity directly determines the gold value per gram.
Gold Value Per Gram by Karat
The following table shows approximate gold values per gram at a $3,000/oz spot price. Actual prices fluctuate daily:
| Karat | Gold Purity | Value Per Gram | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | $96.45 | Gold bars, coins, some Asian jewelry |
| 22K | 91.7% | $88.44 | American Gold Eagle coins, Indian jewelry |
| 18K | 75.0% | $72.34 | High-end jewelry, European pieces |
| 14K | 58.3% | $56.23 | Most US jewelry, class rings |
| 10K | 41.7% | $40.22 | Budget jewelry, some chains |
| 9K | 37.5% | $36.17 | UK and Australian jewelry |
How to Calculate Your Gold’s Value
Follow these three steps to calculate the value of any gold item:
- Determine the karat. Look for a stamp on the item. Common markings include “14K,” “585” (58.5% pure, equivalent to 14K), “750” (75%, equivalent to 18K), or “999” (99.9%, equivalent to 24K).
- Weigh the item in grams. Use a digital kitchen scale or jewelry scale. Remove any stones, clasps, or non-gold components if possible.
- Multiply weight × purity × spot price per gram. For example: a 14K gold ring weighing 5 grams = 5 × 0.583 × $96.45 = $281.15 in gold content.
What Gold Buyers Actually Pay
Knowing the gold content value is essential, but understand that gold buyers — whether pawn shops, “cash for gold” stores, or online buyers — pay a percentage of the gold value, not 100%. Here is what to expect:
- Pawn shops: Typically pay 40% to 60% of gold value. The lowest option but instant cash.
- “Cash for gold” stores: Pay 50% to 70% of gold value. Slightly better than pawn shops.
- Online gold buyers: Pay 70% to 90% of gold value. Companies like Kitco, APMEX, and SellYourGold.com offer competitive rates and mail-in services.
- Local jewelers: Pay 60% to 80% of gold value, but some will pay more for intact, wearable jewelry that they can resell.
- Refiners: Pay 90% to 98% of gold value, but usually require minimum quantities (typically 1 oz or more of pure gold content).
Gold Jewelry vs. Scrap Gold vs. Gold Coins
Jewelry
Intact, wearable jewelry from recognizable brands (Tiffany, Cartier, David Yurman) is worth more than its gold content alone. A 14K Tiffany ring might be worth $500 to a collector but only $280 in gold value. Always research the brand and piece before selling for scrap. Upload a photo to our gold jewelry valuation tool to find out if your piece has collector value above melt.
Scrap Gold
Broken chains, single earrings, dental gold, and damaged pieces are typically sold for their gold content only. Sort your scrap by karat before selling — if you mix 10K and 18K pieces, many buyers will offer the lower karat price for the entire lot.
Gold Coins
Gold coins almost always carry a premium above their gold content. Common bullion coins like the American Gold Eagle, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and South African Krugerrand sell for 3% to 8% above spot price. Rare and antique gold coins can be worth many times their gold value. Never sell a gold coin for melt value without checking its numismatic value first.
How to Identify Gold Karat Markings
- Karat stamps: 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K (US system)
- Millesimal fineness: 375 (9K), 417 (10K), 585 (14K), 750 (18K), 916 (22K), 999 (24K) (European system)
- GF or 1/20: Gold-filled, not solid gold. Worth far less. A “1/20 12K GF” marking means 1/20th of the weight is 12K gold.
- GP, GE, HGE: Gold-plated, gold electroplated, heavy gold electroplated. Worth very little for gold content — the plating is microscopically thin.
- No marking: Could be gold or could be plated. Test it with our AI tool or take it to a jeweler for an acid test.
Tips for Getting the Best Price
- Know the spot price before selling. Check Kitco.com or a financial site for current gold prices. If a buyer offers less than 70% of gold value, walk away.
- Get multiple quotes. Visit at least 3 buyers and compare offers. Prices vary significantly between buyers.
- Sort by karat. Separating your gold by karat ensures you get the correct price for each piece.
- Weigh your gold yourself. Bring a small digital scale and weigh items in front of the buyer. Some dishonest buyers use inaccurate scales.
- Remove non-gold components. Take off watches bands with non-gold links, remove stones if possible, and separate gold clasps from bead necklaces.
- Consider timing. Gold prices fluctuate. If you are not in a rush, wait for price rallies. Gold tends to rise during economic uncertainty.
Want to know what your gold is worth? Upload a photo to our free AI gold valuation tool for an instant estimate based on current gold prices and item assessment.
