Scrap Gold Calculator UAE

Selling old jewellery is paid on gold content, not on what you paid originally. This calculator turns weight and karat into a live payout estimate. Adjust the margin to match the offer you were given.

How a scrap gold payout is built

A buyer weighs the item and confirms its karat. That weight is multiplied by today’s rate for that karat. A margin is then deducted to cover refining and profit.

Nothing else is added back. The making charge you paid at purchase is gone for good. That is why a resale figure always sits below the shelf price.

Why karat matters so much

Purity decides how much actual gold sits in each gram. 24K is 99.9% pure and pays the most. 22K and 21K pay progressively less.

Check the hallmark before you accept any offer. Our purity and hallmark guide explains each stamp. A wrong karat reading is the most expensive mistake you can make.

What gets deducted

• Stones and non-gold parts are weighed out, because you are paid for metal only.
• Solder and clasps on older pieces can lower the effective purity of the whole item.
• The buyer margin covers refining, testing and profit, and it differs between shops.

Getting a fair offer

Collect quotes from two or three licensed buyers. Watch the scale and ask which testing method they used. Acid and electronic testers give different levels of confidence.

Bring the original invoice and any certificates you kept. Proof of weight and purity strengthens your position. See our used gold price page for current metal values.

Scrap versus bars and coins

Broken chains and bent rings still hold their full gold weight. Damage does not reduce metal value at all. Only the weight and the purity matter.

Bars and coins fetch the strongest buyback of all. They carry no making charge to lose and state their purity clearly. That is why investors prefer them over jewellery.

Where the buyer’s margin comes from

A gold buyer is running a refining pipeline, not a charity. The margin covers testing, melting losses, transport and their own profit. It is the single biggest variable between one offer and another.

Margins tighten on larger, cleaner lots and widen on small mixed pieces. A 100 gram lot of clean 22K is far cheaper to process than ten broken chains. That is why weight improves your rate as well as your total.

What reduces the weight they will pay for

• Stones are removed or estimated out, because you are paid for metal only.
• Clasps and springs are often base metal even on a gold chain.
• Solder joints on repaired pieces lower the average purity of the item.
• Enamel and resin add weight that carries no gold value at all.

Testing methods and what they prove

An acid touchstone test is quick and indicative but marks the piece. An XRF analyser reads the surface without damage and is the common standard now. Neither reads deep inside a thick item, which is why hallmarks still matter.

Ask which method the buyer used and watch the scale zero before weighing. A reputable buyer will explain both without hesitation. Our hallmark guide helps you confirm the karat yourself first.

Getting the best realistic price

Collect two or three quotes from licensed buyers on the same day. Prices move with the market, so same day comparison is the only fair one. Bring invoices and certificates if you kept them.

Compare each offer against the live metal value on our used gold price page. Bars and coins fetch the strongest rates because purity is certain and there is no making charge to lose. Jewellery always pays less than the shop price you originally paid.

Frequently asked questions

How much will I get for my scrap gold in the UAE?

Roughly the weight multiplied by today’s rate for that karat, minus the buyer margin. Use the calculator above for a live estimate.

Do I get making charges back?

No, making charges are never refunded. You are paid for the gold content only.

Is broken jewellery worth less?

No, the metal keeps its value regardless of condition. Only weight, purity and any stones affect the payout.