1. The lot
Stamp on the piece: 10, 14, 18, 22 or 24. Test it.
Leave 0 if unused. Weigh without stones where you can.
Stamp on the piece: 10, 14, 18, 22 or 24. Test it.
Leave 0 if unused. Weigh without stones where you can.
Stamp on the piece: 10, 14, 18, 22 or 24. Test it.
Leave 0 if unused. Weigh without stones where you can.
Stamp on the piece: 10, 14, 18, 22 or 24. Test it.
Leave 0 if unused. Weigh without stones where you can.
2. Price, weight unit and your offer
Fine gold, live price. The example figure is a placeholder.
Stones, solder, a generous stamp. Check your past refiner reports.
Melt = fine gold at today's price.
3. Refiner, costs and risk
From the refiner's rate sheet.
Testing, labour, paperwork.
1 if you hedge or the refiner locks the price on receipt.
Used for the risk estimate.
Result
Questions gold buyers ask
How much should I pay for scrap gold?
Work back from what the refiner will send you. Fine gold in the lot, times the gold price, times the refiner's payout percentage, less the assay loss, refiner fee, shipping and your own costs, divided by one plus the profit you want. This tool does that and shows the highest offer in dollars and as a share of melt value.
What percent of melt do gold buyers pay?
It varies with the buyer's costs and competition. A buyer who pays 80% of melt and gets 96% back from a refiner keeps about 16 points before fees, assay loss, shipping and the wait. Small lots can lose money to the flat fees, so the tool shows the offer that breaks even for your own numbers.
What is assay loss?
The refiner melts and assays the lot, and often finds less fine gold than you tested: gemstones and solder weigh something, and some pieces are stamped higher than they test. Enter the percentage you usually lose; the tool takes it off the fine gold before applying the payout.
Why does the wait for payment matter?
Until the refiner pays, the gold price can move against you and your cash is tied up. The tool charges your cost of money for the days, shows the profit at several gold price moves, and estimates the chance of a loss from the typical swing. Locking the price when you buy removes the price risk.
Is this financial or legal advice?
No. It is arithmetic on figures you type. Many places require licences, ID checks and holding periods for scrap and secondhand purchases; check yours. Use a qualified professional for tax and compliance.
Not decided
Whether a piece is genuine, its true karat (test it), licensing, ID and holding-period rules where you buy, sales and income tax, refiner rate sheets that change with lot size or gold price, and bullion premiums. The gold price is assumed to move once, between buying and settlement, with a normal spread; real prices jump and trend. Fees are per lot.
Related tools: the estate sale net proceeds calculator, the storage auction max bid calculator and the auction car flip calculator. Buy scrap cars instead? The junk car buyer offer calculator prices a car by hulk weight, converter and parts. Lend against jewelry instead? The pawn loan profit calculator shows what a loan book earns.