Gold Karat Calculator

Gold Karat Purity & Value Calculator

Determine the pure gold content and estimated value of your gold item.

24 Karat (99.9% Pure) 22 Karat (91.6% Pure) 18 Karat (75% Pure) 14 Karat (58.3% Pure) 10 Karat (41.7% Pure)

function calculateGoldValue() { var totalWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("totalWeight").value); var karat = parseFloat(document.getElementById("karatSelect").value); var currentGoldPrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById("currentGoldPrice").value); var goldResultDiv = document.getElementById("goldResult"); if (isNaN(totalWeight) || totalWeight <= 0) { goldResultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid total weight (greater than 0)."; return; } if (isNaN(karat) || karat 24) { goldResultDiv.innerHTML = "Please select a valid karat purity."; return; } if (isNaN(currentGoldPrice) || currentGoldPrice <= 0) { goldResultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid current gold price (greater than 0)."; return; } var purityFactor = karat / 24; var pureGoldContentGrams = totalWeight * purityFactor; var purityPercentage = purityFactor * 100; var estimatedValue = pureGoldContentGrams * currentGoldPrice; goldResultDiv.innerHTML = "

Calculation Results:

" + "Pure Gold Content: " + pureGoldContentGrams.toFixed(2) + " grams" + "Purity Percentage: " + purityPercentage.toFixed(2) + "%" + "Estimated Value of Pure Gold: $" + estimatedValue.toFixed(2) + ""; } // Initial calculation on page load for default values window.onload = calculateGoldValue;

Understanding Gold Karats and Purity

Gold has been a symbol of wealth, status, and beauty for millennia. When you buy or sell gold jewelry or items, you'll often hear terms like "18K gold" or "24K gold." These terms refer to the purity of the gold, measured in karats. Understanding karats is crucial for accurately assessing the value and quality of any gold item.

What is a Karat?

A karat (K) is a unit of measurement used to denote the purity of gold. Pure gold is defined as 24 karats. This means that if an item is 24K gold, it is considered 99.9% pure gold, with only negligible traces of other metals. Since pure gold is very soft and malleable, it is often alloyed with other metals like copper, silver, zinc, or nickel to increase its hardness, durability, and to alter its color (e.g., rose gold, white gold).

Common Gold Karats and Their Purity

• 24 Karat (24K): This is pure gold, containing 99.9% gold. It's the most expensive form of gold but is too soft for everyday jewelry.
• 22 Karat (22K): Contains 91.6% gold and 8.4% other metals. It's commonly used in traditional Indian and Middle Eastern jewelry due to its rich color and slightly increased durability.
• 18 Karat (18K): Contains 75% gold and 25% other metals. This is a popular choice for fine jewelry in many Western countries, offering a good balance of purity, color, and durability.
• 14 Karat (14K): Contains 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals. It's a very common choice for everyday jewelry due to its excellent durability and more affordable price point.
• 10 Karat (10K): Contains 41.7% gold and 58.3% other metals. This is the lowest karatage that can legally be called "gold" in many countries. It's the most durable and least expensive option, often used for items that need to withstand significant wear.

How the Gold Karat Calculator Works

Our Gold Karat Purity & Value Calculator simplifies the process of determining the actual gold content and its estimated market value. Here's how it uses the information you provide:

1. Total Weight of Gold Item (grams): This is the overall weight of your gold item, including any alloys.
2. Karat Purity: You select the karat of your gold item (e.g., 18K). The calculator then converts this karat into a purity factor (e.g., 18/24 = 0.75 for 18K gold).
3. Current Market Price of Pure Gold (per gram): This is the fluctuating price of 24K (pure) gold in the market. You'll need to input the current price per gram in your desired currency (e.g., USD).

Using these inputs, the calculator performs the following calculations:

• Pure Gold Content (grams): Total Weight × (Karat / 24)
• Purity Percentage: (Karat / 24) × 100%
• Estimated Value of Pure Gold: Pure Gold Content (grams) × Current Market Price per Gram

Factors Affecting Gold Value Beyond Purity

While the calculator provides an excellent estimate of the intrinsic value of the pure gold content, it's important to remember that the final market price of a gold item can be influenced by other factors:

• Craftsmanship: Intricate designs, brand reputation, and the skill involved in creating a piece can significantly add to its value.
• Gemstones: If the gold item contains diamonds or other precious gemstones, their value will be added to the overall price.
• Market Demand: Supply and demand for specific types of gold items or jewelry can affect pricing.
• Dealer Margins: Retailers and jewelers add their own margins to cover operational costs and profit.
• Condition: The condition of a pre-owned gold item can affect its resale value.

This calculator is a powerful tool for understanding the fundamental value of the gold itself, helping you make informed decisions whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious about your gold possessions.