What purity is 14K gold?

14 karat gold is 58.5% pure gold (14/24 = 0.585). This is the most common gold purity for jewelry in the United States. The remaining 41.5% consists of alloy metals like copper, silver, or zinc.

What is sterling silver purity?

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (0.925). It is marked as "925" or "Sterling." The other 7.5% is usually copper, which adds durability. This is the standard for silver flatware and jewelry.

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Scrap Calculator

Enter your metal's weight and purity to instantly calculate its melt value using live spot prices.

Common Questions

How do I calculate the melt value of scrap gold?

Melt value = Weight (in troy oz) x Purity x Spot Price. For example, 10 grams of 14K gold (58.5% pure) at $2,000/oz spot = (10g / 31.1g per oz) x 0.585 x $2,000 = $376.21 melt value.

What is the difference between melt value and what a refiner pays?

Melt value is the theoretical value of the pure metal content. Refiners typically pay 85-95% of melt value to cover refining costs, assay fees, and profit margin. Vance's calculator shows both values.

How many grams are in a troy ounce?

One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams. This is different from a regular (avoirdupois) ounce which is 28.35 grams. Precious metals are always measured in troy ounces.

Standard Fineness

Gold Karats

24K (Pure) 99.9%

22K 91.7%

18K 75.0%

14K 58.5%

10K 41.7%

9K 37.5%

Silver Standards

Fine .999 99.9%

Sterling .925 92.5%

Coin .900 90.0%

European .800 80.0%

Estimates provided for illustrative purposes only. Actual payouts vary by refiner. Consult a licensed precious metals refiner for final settlement values.