The math, once, in full
Per troy ounce, the whole calculation is one line.
$4,128.50 × 0.585 = $2,415.17 per troy ounce of 14k gold
Per gram, which is how most scrap lots are actually priced:
$4,128.50 ÷ 31.1034768 × 0.585 = $77.65 per gram of 14k gold
The avoirdupois figure falls out of the gram price. Multiply $77.65 by 28.3495 grams and you get $2,201.33. That is the honest answer to the kitchen-scale version of this question.
What that ounce is worth at a buyer
Melt value is the ceiling, not the offer. Typical payouts in 2026 run like this on a $2,415.17 troy ounce.
| Buyer type | Payout range | On $2,415.17 |
|---|---|---|
| Local refiner or bullion dealer | 90–95% | $2,173.66–$2,294.41 |
| Established online buyer | 70–85% | $1,690.62–$2,052.90 |
| Pawn shop or hotel buyer | 50–70% | $1,207.59–$1,690.62 |
Those percentages assume the buyer can verify the karat. A hallmark stamp is the fast path. Unstamped metal gets an assay, which costs the buyer time and comes out of your percentage.
Checkpoints before you accept an offer
- Weigh the piece yourself in grams. Grams leave no room for ounce-type confusion.
- Ask the buyer which ounce and which percentage of melt they are paying. Write both down.
- Multiply our per-gram figure $77.65 by your gram weight to get your own ceiling.
- Get at least two quotes. The spread between the first and second quote is often 15% or more.
- Stone weight counts against you. A ring priced as all-14k metal overstates its real value.
Questions about the ounce of 14k gold
Is a troy ounce heavier than a regular ounce?
Yes, by about 2.75 grams. That difference is the entire reason this page shows two numbers.
Does 14k hold value the same as 24k?
Per gram of metal, 14k is worth 58.5% of pure gold and no refiner pays differently. Per piece, 24k is softer and rarer in jewelry, so 14k is what most sellers actually hold.
Where does the spot price come from?
From the live gold market. The numbers on this page were stamped at build time and refresh in your browser whenever the market moves. Recheck this page just before you sell, since spot drifts daily.