Calculate the melt value of high-purity 22 karat (91.7%) and 24 karat (99.9%) gold coins, bullion bars, and investment items.
See what buyers pay for high-purity 22K and 24K gold — after deductions
High-purity gold (22K and 24K) commands the best payout percentages in the scrap market. Refineries offer up to 97% of melt for 24K bullion because it requires almost no refining. 22K gold (91.7% pure) is also efficient to process.
Live high-purity gold price per gram, per DWT, and per troy ounce
22K and 24K gold trade closest to the raw spot price because of their high purity. 24K gold per gram is the base reference rate for all karat calculations.
Three steps — weigh, confirm high purity, get your melt value
At $3,235/oz: 24K = $104.01/g and 22K = $95.35/g. The difference is $8.66/g — because 22K has 91.7% gold vs 24K's 99.9%. For a 20g piece: 24K = $2,080 vs 22K = $1,907.
Most investment gold coins are 22K (American Eagle, Krugerrand, British Sovereign) or 24K (Canadian Maple Leaf, Chinese Panda, Austrian Philharmonic). Coins may carry numismatic premiums above melt value. Bullion bars are typically 24K (999.9 fine) and trade at spot + a small dealer premium.
22K gold (916) is the standard for Indian wedding jewelry, Arabic gold sets, and traditional pieces from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Gulf states. These items are typically heavy (20–100g+) and carry significant melt value. 24K gold bangles and chains are popular in China, Hong Kong, and parts of Southeast Asia.
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Understanding high-purity gold — coins, bullion, and traditional jewelry
This calculator values 22K (91.7% pure) and 24K (99.9% pure) gold items at live spot prices. High-purity gold is used in bullion bars, investment coins, and traditional jewelry from South Asia and the Middle East.
24K gold (999.9 fine) is the purest form available — used exclusively for investment bullion bars (1g to 1kg) and premium coins. 22K gold (916) adds 8.3% alloy for durability, making it suitable for frequently handled coins like the American Gold Eagle and South African Krugerrand. Both purities trade at minimal discounts to spot price.
In India and the Middle East, 22K (916) gold is the cultural standard for jewelry. Indian wedding sets, Arabic necklaces, and Gulf gold souq pieces are almost always 22K. These items are often heavier than Western jewelry (20–150g for sets) and represent substantial melt value. The "916" hallmark is regulated by India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
22K and 24K gold are the easiest karats to sell at high payout ratios. Refineries offer 90–97% of melt for clean, high-purity scrap. Gold coins may be worth more than melt if they have numismatic (collector) value — check the coin's year, mintage, and condition before scrapping. Bullion bars typically trade at spot ± 1–3%.
Compare live spot prices across gold, silver, platinum, and palladium
High-purity 22K/24K gold trades closest to the raw gold spot price. Compare against other precious metals below.
Specialized tools for every scrap gold scenario — pick the one that matches your gold item.
41.7% Pure · America's standard gold alloy
58.3% Pure · Most popular US jewelry gold
75.0% Pure · Premium luxury jewelry standard
91.7% – 99.9% Pure · High-purity coins & bullion
Grams, DWT, Troy Oz, Grains & Milligrams
Rings, chains, bracelets & damaged jewelry
Sovereigns, Eagles, Krugerrands & Maples
1/20 GF & 1/10 GF layer weight ratios
Real-time market spot rates & refiner margins
24K is 99.9% pure gold — essentially pure with trace elements. 22K is 91.7% pure, alloyed with copper/silver for hardness. 24K is softer; 22K is more durable for jewelry and coins. Both command high scrap value.
At $3,235/oz: 22K = $3,235 ÷ 31.1035 × 0.917 = approximately $95.35 per gram. Buyers typically pay 80–97% of this melt value.
At $3,235/oz: 24K = $3,235 ÷ 31.1035 = approximately $104.01 per gram. This is the undiscounted per-gram gold rate. 24K items trade closest to spot price.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and parts of Southeast Asia. Traditional Indian wedding sets, Arabic gold, and Gulf souk pieces are typically 22K (916). It's also used in British Gold Sovereigns.
Rarely for everyday wear — it's too soft. 24K is used for investment bullion, coins (Canadian Maple Leaf, Chinese Panda), and some ceremonial jewelry in East Asia. 24K chains and bangles exist but scratch easily.
Yes. Refineries offer 90–97% for high-purity vs 85–95% for lower karats. 24K bullion bars trade at near-spot with only 1–5% dealer spreads. Less refining = higher payout.
22K: stamps "22K", "916", ".916". 24K: stamps "24K", "999", ".999", "999.9". Indian jewelry uses "916" hallmark. Bullion shows "999.9 Fine Gold". Acid tests can verify when stamps are missing.
