How it works
Gold prices move every day, but the maths of karats never changes: a karat is a share of 24. 21k gold is 21 parts pure gold out of 24 (87.5%), 18k is 75% and 14k is 58.3%. Enter the 24k price per gram from your jeweller, bank or a trusted quote, and the calculator prices every karat and your piece. The site never fetches live prices — you type the price you are being quoted, so the result matches the shop in front of you.
price per gram (karat) = 24k price per gram × karat ÷ 24 total = weight × karat price + weight × making charge per gram + VATWorked example. 24k gold is 400 per gram. 21k is 400 × 21 ÷ 24 = 350 per gram and 18k is 300. A 10 g 21k ring: gold value 3,500 plus a making charge of 20 per gram (200) = 3,700 before tax. Where 15% VAT applies to jewellery (as in Saudi Arabia), add 555 for a total of 4,255. The ring contains 8.75 g of pure gold.
Karat purity chart
| Karat | Pure gold | Hallmark | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24k | 99.9% | 999 | Bars and bullion coins |
| 22k | 91.7% | 916 | Gulf and Indian jewellery, sovereigns |
| 21k | 87.5% | 875 | Most jewellery in Egypt and the Gulf |
| 18k | 75% | 750 | Fine and diamond jewellery |
| 14k | 58.3% | 585 | Everyday jewellery in the US and Europe |
| 9k | 37.5% | 375 | Budget jewellery in the UK |
Scrap gold value
To value old jewellery for sale, leave the making charge and VAT at zero: weight × karat price gives the melt value. Buyers typically pay 70–90% of melt value, so compare several offers. Weigh items in grams (1 troy ounce = 31.1035 g; 1 pennyweight = 1.555 g).
What is a making charge?
The making charge covers craftsmanship and the seller’s margin, usually quoted per gram. Simple chains and bars carry little; handmade or designer pieces much more. When you sell, buyers generally pay for the gold only, so the making charge is not recovered. Bars and coins are therefore better for saving.
VAT on gold
- Saudi Arabia: 15% VAT on jewellery; investment gold (bars and coins of 99%+ purity) can be zero-rated when conditions are met.
- UAE: 5% on jewellery, with special rules between registered traders.
- UK and EU: investment gold is VAT-exempt; jewellery carries standard VAT (UK 20%).
- US: no federal VAT; state sales tax may apply to jewellery.
Tax rules change, so check your receipt; enter 0 if the quoted price already includes everything.
Paying zakat on gold? Use the gold zakat calculator. For tax on any amount, try the VAT calculator, and to compare price per gram between shops, the unit price calculator.