Key takeaways
- Value = weight (g) × purity × 24K price per gram.
- 18K = 75% gold (750). 14K = 58.5% gold (585, or 583 in Canada’s marking rules). 10K = 41.7%.
- For example, at $150 a gram for 24K: 14K is about $87.75 a gram and 18K about $112.50 a gram.
- Subtract stones and non-gold parts before you weigh.
- Buyers pay below melt value; jewellery shop prices are above it.
How do you calculate the value of 14K or 18K gold?
Use this formula:
Value = weight in grams × purity × 24K price per gram
- 18K purity = 0.75
- 14K purity = 0.585 (Canada’s marking rules use .583; the difference is small)
- 10K purity = 0.417
Weigh in grams. If your scale shows pennyweight (dwt) or ounces, convert first, and remember that gold prices “per ounce” mean the troy ounce of 31.1035 g.
Worked examples: 14K and 18K at an example price
These use an example price of $150 a gram for 24K gold. It is not today’s price; check the live rate above.
| Item | Weight | Karat | Pure gold | Melt value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | 10 g | 14K | 5.85 g | $877.50 |
| Wedding band | 5 g | 18K | 3.75 g | $562.50 |
| Bracelet | 20 g | 18K | 15 g | $2,250 |
| Class ring | 12 g | 10K | 5.00 g | $750.60 |
For the chain: 10 × 0.585 = 5.85 g of pure gold, and 5.85 × $150 = $877.50.
To use today’s price instead, swap $150 for the live 24K price per gram shown at the top of this page. The steps stay the same.
What is 14K and 18K gold worth per gram?
| Karat | Purity | Share of 24K price | Per gram at $150 (example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 100% | $150.00 |
| 22K | 91.6% | 91.6% | $137.40 |
| 18K | 75% | 75% | $112.50 |
| 14K | 58.5% | 58.5% | $87.75 |
| 10K | 41.7% | 41.7% | $62.55 |
The 24K row uses the full price as the base, which is how most karat tables work. Live CAD figures are on the gold price by karat page.
Is white or rose 14K gold worth less than yellow?
No. The colour comes from the other metals in the mix, not from less gold. The World Gold Council’s sample alloys show this:
- 18K yellow: 75% gold, with silver and copper.
- 18K white: 75% gold, with palladium (or platinum) to make it white.
- 18K rose: 75% gold, with more copper for the pink colour.
- 14K white or rose: about 58.3% gold in each, with different partner metals.
So an 18K white gold ring and an 18K yellow gold ring of the same weight hold the same amount of gold. Scrap buyers usually pay for the gold only, so extra metals like palladium in white gold rarely add to the offer. White gold is often plated with rhodium for shine; that thin layer does not change the karat.
How do you get an accurate weight at home?
- Use a scale that reads to 0.01 g if you can. A kitchen scale that reads in whole grams can be off by more than a gram on small pieces, which matters at today’s prices.
- Weigh each karat separately. Do not mix 14K and 18K in one pile.
- Take out the non-gold parts. Stones, pearls, beads, steel springs in clasps and watch movements all add weight but no gold. A buyer will deduct them, so you should too.
- Watch for hollow pieces. Hollow chains and bangles look large but weigh little. Value goes by weight, not size.
- Know the units. If you think in tola, 1 tola is 11.6638 g. See gold units explained.
Your home weight is a check, not the final number. When you sell, the buyer must use a scale approved and inspected by Measurement Canada.
Why will a buyer offer less than this?
The formula gives melt value, the value of the gold alone. A buyer must test it, refine it and make a profit, so the offer is lower. Get several quotes and compare each as a percentage of melt value. See how to sell gold in Canada.
The price you paid in a shop is usually higher than melt value because it included design, labour and tax. A designer or antique piece may sell for more than melt to the right buyer, but scrap buyers will not pay for that.
Gold prices can go down as well as up. Past prices don’t predict future prices.
How do you know if your piece is 14K or 18K?
Look for a stamp inside a ring or near the clasp:
- 18K: 18K, 18Kt or 750
- 14K: 14K, 14Kt, 583 or 585
- 10K: 10K or 417
In Canada, a quality mark should come with a maker’s trademark. Marks like G.F., R.G.P. or G.E.P. mean gold filled or plated, not solid gold, and the melt value is very low. If there is no stamp, ask a dealer or jeweller for an XRF test; it reads the metals without marking the piece. Pieces from India or the Gulf may be stamped 18K750 or 14K585 instead. Read how to tell if gold is real.
Enter your weight and karat in the gold value calculator for a live CAD value, and check the gold price by karat table.
Common questions
How much is 1 gram of 14K gold worth?
How much is 18K gold worth per gram?
Is 14K gold real gold?
Why is my 14K jewellery worth less than I paid?
Sources
- Competition Bureau: Guide to the Precious Metals Marking Act and Regulations
- World Gold Council: Gold jewellery, colour, carat and purity
- Bureau of Indian Standards: Hallmarking FAQ
- Measurement Canada: Buying gold and other precious metals
- NIST Office of Weights and Measures: Conversion factors for precious metal sales (1 troy ounce = 480 grains = 31.1034768 g)