Solid gold · Your price · Transparent arithmetic
What is your gold chain worth?
A clasp, pendant or stone can make gross weight misleading. Enter the least and most non-gold weight you expect to deduct, then see a melt range and where an offer falls.
One uncertain deduction, two useful endpoints
Weigh the exact item being offered. Remove a detachable pendant if the offer covers only the chain. For a remaining component whose non-gold weight is uncertain, enter an explicit lower and upper estimate. The range shows the effect of that assumption; it is not a measured confidence interval.
Minimum melt = (gross grams − maximum deduction) × purity × spot ÷ 31.1034768
Maximum melt = (gross grams − minimum deduction) × purity × spot ÷ 31.1034768
Offer percentage range = offer ÷ maximum melt × 100, through offer ÷ minimum melt × 100
The larger deduction produces the smaller melt value. For a fixed offer, the larger melt value produces the smaller offer percentage. Results exclude fees, refining losses, the value of other metals and any resale premium for craftsmanship or brand. A melt estimate is a comparison reference, not a purchase quote or a retail appraisal.
A worked hypothetical chain
Suppose a chain weighs 20 g, tests at 14K, and you allow 0.2–1.0 g for components outside that alloy. Use an illustrative spot price of $3,000 per troy ounce; this is an example, not a current quote.
- Gold-alloy weight: 20 − 1.0 = 19.0 g through 20 − 0.2 = 19.8 g.
- Fine-gold equivalent: 19 × 14/24 = 11.0833 g through 19.8 × 14/24 = 11.55 g.
- Melt range: $1,069.01–$1,114.02.
- A hypothetical $900 net offer is 80.79%–84.19% of that melt range.
The offer’s percentage is higher at the lower melt endpoint. No universal “good offer” percentage is assumed. Compare written offers using the same weight, purity, price time and all fees deducted.
Which chains does this cover?
Gold alloy throughout, including hollow gold links
This tool assumes the retained metal has the entered purity throughout. A hollow gold link has less material than a similarly sized solid link, but its measured metal weight is still usable; do not deduct empty space. A different-purity pendant or clasp needs separate valuation, not the chain’s purity applied automatically.
Gold-plated and gold-filled chains need another method
Do not apply the outer coating’s karat to a plated or filled chain’s total weight. This calculator cannot determine the gold layer’s mass. It also cannot authenticate a stamp or detect concealed base metal. Use a confirmed purity and component weight before treating the estimate as evidence about your item.
Why 14K and 585 differ slightly
The World Gold Council explains karat and millesimal purity: karat is measured against 24, while fineness gives parts per thousand. It specifically distinguishes 14/24 (about 58.3333%) from the common 585 fineness (58.5%). Choose the basis you actually have; this tool preserves that difference.
Why the troy ounce matters
The Royal Mint gives one troy ounce as 31.1034768 grams. The calculator uses that factor to convert the entered per-troy-ounce gold price to a per-gram price. A household ounce is a different unit; weigh in grams for this form.
More tools for the same decision
- Gold weight converter for grams, pennyweights and both ounce systems.
- Scrap gold calculator for a collection of different karats.
- Gold calculator for other weight and purity calculations.
- Gold bar value calculator for comparing bullion weight and purity.