Use a digital jewelry scale that reads to 0.01 g, weigh each karat separately, and read the weight in grams or pennyweight, not kitchen ounces.
Use the right scale
A kitchen scale isn’t accurate enough. A small digital jewelry or pocket scale that reads to 0.01 gram is inexpensive and accurate enough for scrap gold.
Before weighing:
- Put the scale on a hard, flat surface away from drafts.
- Turn it on and let it settle, then press tare or zero.
- If it came with a calibration weight, check it first.
Weigh each karat separately
Sort your items by stamp first. Weigh all the 14K together, then all the 10K and so on. Each group is worth a different amount per gram, so the calculator needs them as separate items.
Take off what isn’t gold
Stones, pearls, steel springs in clasps and beads all add weight that isn’t gold. Buyers will deduct them, so estimate a little lower for pieces with large stones.
Read the right unit
| Unit | What it is |
|---|---|
| Gram (g) | The most common unit for scrap gold |
| Pennyweight (dwt) | 1.555 g; many US buyers quote prices per dwt |
| Troy ounce (ozt) | 31.1 g; the unit for the spot price |
Most jewelry scales can switch between these. Avoid the regular ounce (oz). See troy ounce vs regular ounce.
Then calculate
Enter each group’s weight and karat into the calculator to see its value at today’s price.