Why Scrap Gold Sells Below the Spot Price
When you sell gold for scrap, a dealer isn't paying the live spot rate — they're paying spot minus a margin that covers refining costs, testing, and their own profit. This calculator applies an adjustable estimate factor to the live per-gram price by purity, clearly labelled as an estimate, not a quote — actual dealer offers vary by purity, weight sold, and which dealer you use. Always get a second quote before selling, and ask whether the dealer tests purity in front of you.
Other Pages
24 Carat (24k)
Hallmark 999
22 Carat (22k)
Hallmark 916
21 Carat (21k)
Hallmark 875
18 Carat (18k)
Hallmark 750
14 Carat (14k)
Hallmark 585
9 Carat (9ct)
Hallmark 375
Main Calculator
All purities in one tool
Methodology
Data source & formula
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Dealers buy scrap gold below the live spot price to cover refining costs and their margin. The exact discount varies by dealer, purity and the weight you're selling — this calculator shows an adjustable estimate, not a guaranteed quote.
Get quotes from at least two or three dealers, ask them to test purity in front of you, and sell items together by purity (9ct separate from 18ct, for example) rather than as a mixed lot, since mixed-purity gold is often valued at the lowest purity present.
Yes — significantly. 22ct scrap is worth much more per gram than 9ct scrap, since 9ct is only 37.5% pure gold by weight. Always check the hallmark before comparing offers.