18K Gold Price & Value Calculator
Instantly calculate the raw melt value of your 18 Karat (75.0% pure) gold jewelry against today’s live commodity spot price.
Everything You Need to Know About 18K Gold
18 Karat gold is the preferred choice for high-end luxury jewelry, engagement rings, and European watchmaking. Because it contains a significantly higher percentage of pure gold than standard US jewelry, it offers a richer, more vibrant yellow hue. Understanding the 18K gold price per gram is vital if you are dealing with high-value assets or premium estate jewelry.
The 18 Karat Difference
In the karat system, 24 Karats equals 100% pure gold. 18 Karat gold means the item is composed of 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts alloy metals (such as copper, silver, or palladium). This results in a composition of exactly 75% pure gold.
While US jewelry is often stamped “18K”, international luxury pieces will almost always feature the hallmark 750. This signifies the millesimal fineness—750 parts gold per thousand. Both stamps confirm your item is 18K and holds the same high melt value.
Why Invest in 18K Gold?
18K gold balances beauty, durability, and intrinsic value. It is harder than pure 24K gold, making it suitable for intricate jewelry designs, but it retains a much higher concentration of precious metal than 14K or 10K alternatives. If you are looking to sell, 18K gold carries a premium over lower-karat alloys because the raw gold content is significantly higher.
Understanding Your Scrap Payout
Because 18K gold contains 75% pure gold, it is more valuable per gram than 14K (which is only 58.3% pure). When selling scrap 18K gold, always calculate the melt value first to ensure you have a baseline for negotiation. Reputable buyers should offer a percentage of this melt value; due to the high gold content, you should expect competitive offers for 18K pieces compared to lesser karat items.