Scrap Gold Prices by Karat: What Is 10K, 14K, 18K & 24K Worth Today?

A single gram of 14K gold is now worth over $95 at melt value — up from roughly $44 just two years ago. That means a modest collection of old rings, broken chains, and mismatched earrings sitting in a drawer could easily be worth thousands of dollars. But the value swings wildly depending on one thing: the karat.

Today's scrap gold prices by karat

Based on a gold spot price of approximately $5,100 per troy ounce (March 2026):

Karat	Purity	Price per Gram	Price per Pennyweight	Price per Troy Oz
24K	99.9%	$164.00	$254.60	$5,095.00
22K	91.6%	$150.25	$233.24	$4,670.00
18K	75.0%	$123.00	$190.95	$3,825.00
14K	58.3%	$95.61	$148.40	$2,973.00
10K	41.7%	$68.39	$106.16	$2,126.00

These figures represent theoretical melt value. Actual buyer offers will typically be 70–90% of these numbers depending on the buyer type.

How the karat system works

The karat system divides gold purity into 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 out of 24 parts — hence 24K. A 14K piece is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals (typically copper, silver, zinc, or nickel). The formula: divide the karat number by 24 to get the purity fraction.

Here's what surprises many sellers: 24K gold is rarely used in jewelry. Pure gold is extremely soft — it bends, scratches, and deforms easily. The vast majority of gold jewelry is manufactured in 14K or 18K, with 22K popular in South Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

How to identify karat markings

Every piece of gold jewelry sold in the United States is required to carry a karat stamp. Look for these on inner ring bands, clasp tags, bracelet links, or earring posts — often you'll need a magnifying glass:

• 417 or 10K = 10 karat (41.7% gold)
• 585 or 14K = 14 karat (58.3% gold)
• 750 or 18K = 18 karat (75.0% gold)
• 916 or 22K = 22 karat (91.6% gold)
• 999 or 24K = 24 karat (99.9% gold)

The three-digit numbers are the European millesimal fineness system. If you find no stamp at all, the piece may be gold-plated, gold-filled, or unmarked vintage — a professional XRF scan can determine the truth.

Which karat gives the highest return?

Per gram, 24K is worth the most — that's simple math. But higher-karat pieces also tend to retain a larger percentage of their original purchase price when sold as scrap, because more of their weight is actual gold. A 10K ring may have cost less initially, but when scrapped, nearly 60% of its weight is worthless alloy metal.

14K gold offers the best combination of availability and value for most American sellers. It's the karat you're statistically most likely to own, and at today's prices, even small pieces carry meaningful value. A 10-gram 14K chain — roughly the weight of two nickels — is worth approximately $956 at melt value. Two years ago, that same chain was worth about $430.

What gold prices mean for sellers right now

Gold set 53 new all-time price records during 2025 and broke through $5,000 per ounce in early 2026. JPMorgan has raised its year-end 2026 target to $6,300 per ounce. Scrap gold values could climb another 20%+ over the coming months — but every karat you own is already worth more today than at any point in history.

Sources

• JM Bullion, Gold Spot Price: jmbullion.com/charts/gold-price/
• World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends 2025: gold.org
• JPMorgan, Gold Price Forecast 2026: jpmorgan.com/insights/global-research/commodities/gold-prices