How to use the 14k Gold Ring Value
- Weigh the ring in grams, removing any stones from the weight if possible.
- Enter the current gold spot price per troy ounce or gram.
- Read the pure gold content and melt value.
- Compare against a buyer's offer, which typically sits at 70–85% of melt.
How the calculation works
Karat is parts gold out of 24, so 14k is 14/24 = 58.33% pure. Melt value = grams × 0.5833 × price per gram. Spot is quoted per troy ounce, which is 31.1035 g, not the 28.35 g of an ordinary ounce — using the wrong ounce overstates value by about 10%. Stones and any non-gold core must be excluded, since buyers pay for gold weight alone.
Realised price is always below melt. Refiners and pawn shops take 15–30% to cover assay, refining and margin, and a pawn loan against the ring will be lower still. Against that, a ring with brand provenance, hallmarks or design value can be worth far more sold as jewellery than as metal, so a distinctive piece should be appraised before it is weighed for scrap. Retail replacement price typically runs two to four times melt because it includes fabrication and markup.
Melt value = grams × 0.5833 × (spot per troy oz / 31.1035)Source: Karat purity standard (14k = 583.3 parts per thousand) and troy ounce conversion of 31.1035 g.
Worked example
An 8.4 g 14k band with no stones, spot gold at 2,380 per troy ounce.
- Price per gram = 2,380 / 31.1035 = 76.52.
- Pure gold content = 8.4 × 0.5833 = 4.90 g.
- Melt value = 4.90 × 76.52 = 375.
- Typical buyer offer at 78% = 293.
About 375 of gold, with a realistic scrap offer near 290–320.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the offer below melt value?+
Buyers cover refining, assay and their margin, typically keeping 15–30% of melt.
Do stones add value?+
Rarely at scrap. Small diamonds and gems are usually ignored by refiners, so sell notable stones separately.
What does the 585 stamp mean?+
It is the European mark for 14k — 585 parts gold per thousand.
Should I scrap or sell as jewellery?+
If the piece has brand, design or antique value, selling as jewellery almost always beats melt.
Last reviewed August 31, 2026. We review this page whenever the underlying formula, tax year, published rate or standard changes.