Scrap Calculator
Estimate melt value for gold, silver, and platinum scrap using current market pricing.
Scrap Precious Metals Calculator
Scrap precious metals are typically valued for their underlying metal content rather than their retail presentation, collectibility, or brand. Jewelry, flatware, dental gold, damaged bullion, and miscellaneous precious metal items often fall into this category.
This calculator is designed to help estimate melt-based value using weight, purity, and current market pricing. It is a practical reference point for customers who want a clearer understanding of how scrap material is commonly evaluated before requesting a quote.
What counts as scrap
Scrap can include broken jewelry, mismatched earrings, unwanted chains, sterling items, dental gold, and other precious metal pieces that are primarily valued for their melt content rather than resale form.
What affects value
The main drivers of scrap value are metal type, purity, weight, and current spot price. Higher purity and greater total weight generally increase melt value, though different payout structures may also apply.
Why purity matters
Purity determines how much of an item is actually precious metal. Two pieces with the same weight can have very different values if one contains substantially more gold, silver, or platinum than the other.
Estimate Scrap Value
Use the calculator below to estimate melt value for common gold, silver, and platinum scrap based on current market prices.
| Karat | Weight | Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 24k | $0.00 | |
| 22k | $0.00 | |
| 18k | $0.00 | |
| 14k | $0.00 | |
| 10k | $0.00 | |
| Total | $0.00 | |
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Understanding purity
Purity is a measure of how much of an item is made from a specific precious metal. In gold, purity is often expressed in karats. In silver and platinum, purity is more commonly shown as a decimal or hallmark such as .925, .999, or .9995.
A higher purity means a larger percentage of the total weight is actually the precious metal being valued. That is why purity has such a direct influence on melt-based pricing.
How purity is measured
Purity may be identified through stamps, hallmarks, manufacturer markings, or testing methods such as acid testing, electronic testing, XRF analysis, or other verification tools used in the trade.
Markings can be useful starting points, but condition, wear, repairs, and missing marks sometimes make direct testing necessary before a final value can be determined.
How karat influences gold pricing
Gold karat represents the proportion of pure gold in an alloy. Since pure gold is 24 karat, lower karat values indicate that the item includes a greater percentage of non-gold metals mixed in for durability, color, or cost.
This is why scrap calculations do not rely on weight alone. Weight must always be paired with purity to estimate how much actual precious metal is present in the item.
Before you sell
If possible, gather any visible markings, weigh items by group, and separate different metals or karat levels before requesting a quote. Organizing items this way can make the evaluation process smoother and more accurate.
A practical note
This calculator is meant to provide an estimate, not a final offer. Final pricing may depend on verification, sorting, testing, condition, and the specific payout structure used at the time of evaluation.