How much is your gold or silver worth?
An unworn gold bracelet. A broken chain. A silver ring tucked away in a drawer. Before you decide to sell, it helps to understand what you own and what a valuation should consider.
Precious-metal content is a useful starting point, but maker, gemstones, age and desirability can also affect resale value.
Calculator results are indicative metal-value estimates, not guaranteed purchase offers.
How is the value of scrap gold calculated?
Three factors determine an estimate of the gold content’s value:
How much gold alloy the item contains, excluding stones and other components.
The proportion of that alloy that is gold.
The fine gold price per gram used for the calculation.
For example, a plain 10g piece of 9ct gold contains approximately 3.75g of pure gold. A plain 10g piece of 18ct gold contains approximately 7.5g. That is why two chains with the same weight can have different metal values.
A buyer’s offer can differ from the estimate because testing, refining costs and the buyer’s margin may apply. A complete piece may also have resale value beyond its gold content, so a professional valuation can be worthwhile. You can also read how our gold and silver calculations work.
What do 375, 585 and 750 mean on gold?
Small numbers stamped on jewellery can help identify its stated purity.
You may find these marks inside a ring or near a chain’s clasp. A fineness number is only one part of a full UK hallmark, and a stamp alone should not replace professional assessment if the metal’s identity is uncertain. The London Assay Office hallmarking guidance explains the recognised standards.
How much is 9ct gold worth per gram today?
The answer changes with the gold market and the reference price in pounds. Because 9ct gold contains 37.5% gold, its indicative gold-content value per gram is 37.5% of the fine gold reference price per gram.
If you have several pieces, separate different purities before calculating. A 9ct bracelet and an 18ct ring should not be entered together as one 9ct item.
Calculate 9ct gold valueWhat is 925 silver worth?
Sterling silver marked 925 contains 92.5% silver. Other silver standards include Britannia silver, marked 958, and fine silver, marked 999.
Silver-plated objects need a different assessment: their total weight cannot be treated as solid sterling silver. Filled or weighted objects can also contain substantial material that is not silver.
As with gold, an attractive antique, signed piece or collectable object may deserve an assessment as a complete item before you consider its metal value alone.
Calculate silver value
Can broken jewellery still have value?
Yes. A broken clasp or snapped chain does not remove the precious metal it contains.
Damage does not automatically mean scrapping is the best route. Maker, stones, craftsmanship or collectable interest may add value.
Explore repair & restorationWhat about gold coins and bullion bars?
Bullion coins and bars are usually assessed with close attention to metal content, authenticity and market demand.
Coins can also have collectable value. Date, condition, rarity and type may matter, so a metal-content calculation alone should not be treated as a complete coin valuation.
Platinum, palladium and rhodium
Platinum and palladium have their own market prices and purity standards. A gold or silver calculator will not give an appropriate estimate.
Rhodium is often encountered as a surface plating on white-gold jewellery, so a rhodium-plated ring is not valued as though its full weight were solid rhodium.
If you are unsure which metal you own, ask for identification before relying on a price calculation. Imperial Time welcomes enquiries about platinum and palladium items, coins and bullion. Learn about selling precious metals with Imperial Time.
What should you check before accepting an offer?
Note purity marks, maker’s marks and supporting documents.
Keep different metals and purities apart so estimates are easier to understand.
Treat it as a starting point for discussion, not a guaranteed offer.
Find out how stones, branded pieces and deductions are handled.
Confirm the final amount, payment arrangements and any fees before agreeing.
If comparing offers, do so as close together in time as practical because metal prices can move.
Have your jewellery assessed before you decide
Knowing the approximate metal value helps you ask better questions. Understanding the whole item helps you make a more informed decision. Imperial Time offers specialist assessment at 79 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BG.
