Scrap Gold & Silver Calculator – Calculate Precious Metal Melt Value Online

Instantly calculate the melt value of your scrap gold and silver with our free precious metals calculator. Get accurate valuations based on live spot prices, weight, and purity.

Quick Navigation: Calculator | How to Use | Examples | Tips | FAQ

What is a Scrap Gold & Silver Calculator?

A scrap gold and silver calculator is a specialized financial tool designed to help precious metals owners, jewelers, investors, and recyclers determine the exact melt value of their scrap materials. Unlike standard calculators, these tools account for critical factors including current spot prices, metal purity (measured in karats for gold or percentages for silver), weight in various units, and refiner processing fees.

Whether you're evaluating sterling silver jewelry, 14k gold chains, constitutional silver coins, or dental gold, this calculator provides real-time valuations to help you make informed decisions about selling or refining your precious metals.

Scrap Metal Value Calculator

Calculate Silver Scrap Value

$
Updated in real-time from market data
Common purities: Sterling Silver: 92.5% | US Coin Silver: 90% | Fine Silver: 99.9%
%
Typical refiner fees range from 5-10%
$
What you paid for this item (for profit/loss analysis)

Silver Calculation Results

Pure Silver Weight:

Gross Melt Value:

Refiner Fee:

Net Value (Your Payout):

Profit/Loss Analysis

Original Cost:

Profit/Loss Amount:

Return on Investment:

Status:

Calculate Gold Scrap Value

$
Updated in real-time from market data
Most common: 14K jewelry, 18K fine jewelry
%
Typical refiner fees range from 5-10%
$
What you paid for this item (for profit/loss analysis)

Gold Calculation Results

Pure Gold Weight:

Gross Melt Value:

Refiner Fee:

Net Value (Your Payout):

Profit/Loss Analysis

Original Cost:

Profit/Loss Amount:

Return on Investment:

Status:

How to Use the Scrap Gold & Silver Calculator

Follow these simple steps to accurately calculate the melt value of your precious metal scrap:

  1. Select Your Metal: Choose between the Silver Calculator or Gold Calculator tabs depending on the type of scrap you're evaluating.
  2. Load Current Spot Price: Click "Load Current" to automatically fetch the latest market spot price, or manually enter a price if you have a specific quote from a buyer.
  3. Enter Weight: Input the weight of your scrap material. Select your preferred unit (troy ounces, grams, or pennyweight). The calculator automatically converts between units.
  4. Specify Purity: For silver, enter the purity percentage (92.5% for sterling, 90% for coin silver). For gold, select the karat (14K, 18K, etc.) or enter a custom purity.
  5. Add Refiner Fees (Optional): If you know your refiner's fee percentage, enter it here to see your net payout after processing costs.
  6. Calculate: Click the calculate button to instantly see your scrap's melt value, refiner fees, and net value.

The calculator performs all conversions and calculations instantly, showing you both the gross melt value and the net amount you can expect to receive after refiner fees.

Scrap Calculator Examples

Example 1: Sterling Silver Jewelry

Scenario: You have 50 grams of sterling silver jewelry (92.5% pure) to sell.

Inputs: Weight: 50g | Purity: 92.5% | Silver Spot: $30.00/oz | Refiner Fee: 8%

Calculation:

  • 50 grams = 1.608 troy oz
  • Pure silver weight: 1.608 × 0.925 = 1.487 troy oz
  • Gross melt value: 1.487 × $30.00 = $44.61
  • Refiner fee (8%): $3.57
  • Net value: $41.04

Example 2: 14K Gold Ring

Scenario: You have a 14K gold ring weighing 5 grams.

Inputs: Weight: 5g | Karat: 14K (58.3% pure) | Gold Spot: $2,000/oz | Refiner Fee: 10%

Calculation:

  • 5 grams = 0.161 troy oz
  • Pure gold weight: 0.161 × 0.583 = 0.094 troy oz
  • Gross melt value: 0.094 × $2,000 = $188.00
  • Refiner fee (10%): $18.80
  • Net value: $169.20

Example 3: Constitutional Silver Coins

Scenario: You have $10 face value of 90% silver quarters (approximately 7.15 troy oz).

Inputs: Weight: 7.15 oz | Purity: 90% | Silver Spot: $28.50/oz | Refiner Fee: 5%

Calculation:

  • Pure silver weight: 7.15 × 0.90 = 6.435 troy oz
  • Gross melt value: 6.435 × $28.50 = $183.40
  • Refiner fee (5%): $9.17
  • Net value: $174.23

Tips for Getting the Best Scrap Gold & Silver Value

Verify Your Metal's Purity

Look for hallmarks (925, 900, 14K, 18K) stamped on jewelry. If unsure, consider professional testing with an XRF analyzer or acid test to ensure accurate calculations.

Weigh Accurately

Use a precision jewelry scale for accurate results. Remove any non-precious components (stones, clasps) before weighing to avoid overestimating your scrap value.

Compare Multiple Refiners

Refiner fees vary significantly (5-15%). Get quotes from at least 3-4 reputable refiners. Higher-volume sellers often negotiate better rates.

Watch Market Timing

Precious metals prices fluctuate daily. Monitor spot prices and consider selling when prices spike. Track your stack value to identify optimal selling opportunities.

Sort by Karat/Purity

Separate your scrap by purity (10K, 14K, 18K, sterling, coin silver). This maximizes value and simplifies processing for refiners who may pay more for sorted material.

Understand Minimum Requirements

Many refiners have minimum quantity requirements (e.g., 10 grams gold, 100 grams silver). Accumulate scrap to meet minimums and reduce per-transaction fees.

Why Use a Scrap Precious Metals Calculator?

A scrap metal calculator is essential for anyone buying or selling precious metals because it provides:

  • Instant Valuations: Calculate melt values in seconds rather than manual spreadsheet calculations
  • Transparency: Understand exactly how much your scrap is worth before negotiating with buyers
  • Accuracy: Automatic unit conversions and purity adjustments eliminate calculation errors
  • Negotiating Power: Know your metal's true value to avoid lowball offers from unscrupulous buyers
  • Cost Awareness: Factor in refiner fees upfront to understand your actual net payout
  • Market Education: Learn how spot prices, purity, and weight impact precious metal values

Whether you're a hobbyist scrapper, professional jeweler, estate liquidator, or precious metals investor, this calculator helps you make informed financial decisions. For serious stackers, combine this tool with our portfolio tracker to monitor your entire precious metals collection's value over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Spot price is the current market price for pure precious metal (100% purity). Scrap value accounts for the actual purity of your item (e.g., 14K gold is 58.3% pure) and any refiner processing fees. Your scrap will always be worth less than pure metal spot price.

Our calculator provides mathematically accurate estimates based on the inputs you provide. However, actual offers may vary because refiners have different fee structures, minimum quantities, and policies. Always get written quotes from multiple refiners before selling.

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (marked as .925 or 925). The remaining 7.5% is typically copper, added for strength and durability. US coin silver (pre-1965 dimes, quarters, half dollars) is 90% pure.

Look for a small stamp or hallmark on the jewelry (10K, 14K, 18K, 24K). If there's no marking, you'll need professional testing with an XRF analyzer or acid test kit. Most jewelry stores offer free testing services.

Refiner fees typically range from 5-15% of the melt value, depending on quantity, purity, and refiner. Large refiners handling high volumes may charge 5-8%, while small local buyers might charge 10-15%. Always ask about fees upfront.

This depends on your goals. Broken jewelry with no sentimental or collectible value is often best sold as scrap. However, if you're bullish on precious metals long-term, keeping scrap as part of your stack may be advantageous. Use our portfolio tracker to monitor value over time.

Currently, our calculator focuses on gold and silver, the two most common precious metals for stackers and jewelers. Platinum and palladium calculations follow the same formula (weight × purity × spot price - fees), so you can manually apply the same methodology.

Spot prices are updated in real-time during market hours on our platform. Gold and silver markets trade 24/5 (Monday-Friday) with most activity during London and New York trading sessions. Prices can change by the minute during volatile markets.

A troy ounce (31.1 grams) is the standard unit for precious metals. A regular (avoirdupois) ounce (28.35 grams) is used for everyday items. Precious metals are always measured in troy ounces. Always verify which unit your scale uses.

Yes, for accurate scrap calculations, remove gemstones, clasps, and non-precious components. Refiners only pay for the precious metal content. Gemstones can be sold separately if valuable.

In most jurisdictions, selling precious metals is considered a capital gain/loss transaction. Tax treatment varies by country and quantity. Consult a tax professional for guidance. Keep receipts documenting your original purchase price and sale price.

Use insured, tracked shipping (USPS Registered Mail or FedEx/UPS with insurance). Document the contents with photos and weight. Never ship without insurance. Many refiners provide prepaid insured shipping labels for qualified sellers.

Absolutely. If you have significant quantity (50+ grams gold, 500+ grams silver), refiners often negotiate lower processing fees. Get multiple quotes and use them as leverage. Local jewelry stores and pawn shops almost always negotiate.

Pennyweight (dwt) is a traditional jewelry industry unit. 1 pennyweight = 1.555 grams = 0.05 troy ounces. There are 20 pennyweights in 1 troy ounce. Our calculator automatically converts between all units.

Some are, some aren't. Research companies thoroughly (BBB ratings, reviews, years in business). Reputable refiners include Midwest Refineries, Garfield Refining, and Liberty Coin. Avoid companies advertising heavily on TV with "free kits" - they often pay 30-50% below melt value.

Yes, but check if the coin has numismatic (collector) value first. Sovereigns, Krugerrands, and other bullion coins may be worth more than melt value. For scrap value only, enter the coin's weight and gold content percentage (usually 91.7-99.99%).

Pre-1965 US quarters contain 0.18084 troy oz of pure silver (6.25g total weight × 90% purity). Dimes contain 0.0723 troy oz, and half dollars contain 0.36169 troy oz. $1 face value of 90% silver coins contains approximately 0.715 troy oz of pure silver.

No, the scrap value is identical if the karat is the same. Both 14K white gold and 14K yellow gold contain 58.3% gold. The only difference is the alloy metals mixed with gold (white gold uses palladium/nickel, yellow gold uses copper/silver). Refiners pay the same rate for both.

Not necessary for scrap sales. Refiners melt everything down regardless of condition. However, removing dirt and debris helps ensure accurate weight. Never use harsh chemicals that might damage genuine gold/silver.

Yes, dental gold typically ranges from 10K to 20K (41.7% to 83.3% pure gold). Weigh the material and use the calculator with the appropriate gold purity. Dental gold may also contain small amounts of palladium, which adds value not captured in basic gold calculations.

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Important Disclaimer

This scrap calculator provides estimates based on mathematical formulas and current market data. Actual offers from refiners, dealers, and buyers may vary based on market conditions, quantities, business policies, and other factors. Always obtain written quotes from multiple reputable sources before selling precious metals. The Stacker Life is not responsible for any transactions or financial decisions made based on calculator results. This tool is for informational and educational purposes only.