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UK gold market

Gold Price UK and Gold Price Per Gram

Gold prices change throughout the day, but the headline market price is only one part of working out what an item may be worth. The amount of gold, its purity and the type of item all matter.

Want a price for your own gold? Send us photos or visit our Church Street shop for an in-person valuation.

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Photos can help us understand what you have. We'll confirm the final offer after seeing and checking the items in person.

What Does the Gold Price Mean?

The international gold market usually quotes prices by the troy ounce. One troy ounce is approximately 31.1035 grams. That headline figure normally relates to pure gold — not the mixed-metal alloys used in most jewellery.

UK jewellery is made in different carats — 9ct, 14ct, 18ct or 22ct — each containing a different percentage of pure gold. UK prices are affected by both the global gold market and the strength of the pound against the US dollar, so figures can change during the day.

In plain terms: the online "gold price" tells you what pure gold is trading at right now. What your ring, chain or coin is worth depends on how much pure gold it actually contains.

Gold Purity and Price Per Gram

The per-gram value of your gold scales with its purity. The table below shows the standard UK carats, their common hallmark markings and the approximate percentage of pure gold each contains.

CaratCommon markingApproximate gold purity
9ct37537.5%
14ct58558.5%
18ct75075.0%
22ct91691.6%
24ct999 or 999.9approximately 99.9%

Indicative purity only. Any per-gram figure derived from this is the theoretical metal value before testing, stones, non-gold parts, resale or refining considerations — it is not a guaranteed buying price, the amount you will receive, a cash price or a guaranteed valuation.

How to Estimate the Gold Content Value

A simple starting formula is:

Item weight × gold purity × current pure-gold price per gram

Worked structures using the current pure-gold price per gram (whatever it is at the time):

  • 10g of 9ct gold — 10 × 37.5% × current pure-gold price per gram.
  • 20g of 18ct gold — 20 × 75% × current pure-gold price per gram.
  • 5g of 22ct gold — 5 × 91.6% × current pure-gold price per gram.

This tells you the theoretical gold content value. It is not a guaranteed shop offer. Stones, non-gold parts, testing, refining and dealer margin all affect the final figure.

Want us to run the numbers on your items using today's rate? Send photos and the approximate weight on WhatsApp.

Why Is a Gold-Buying Offer Different From the Spot Price?

The headline gold price is a useful starting point, but it is not automatically the amount paid for every gram of every item. That's because:

  • The headline price normally relates to pure gold.
  • Jewellery may be 9ct, 14ct, 18ct or 22ct — only a proportion is actually gold.
  • Stones and non-gold parts may need to be excluded from the weight.
  • Items may require testing to confirm the carat.
  • Refining or resale costs may apply.
  • Condition and recognisability can matter, particularly for coins and bars.
  • Coins may carry collectable value in addition to their metal content.
  • Bullion bars are often assessed differently from mixed jewellery.
  • Payment method, market movement and transaction circumstances may also differ.

A proper in-person gold valuation in St Helens lets us test each piece, confirm the carat and weight, and explain the per-gram rate we're applying before you decide.

Gold Bars, Coins and Jewellery Are Valued Differently

The same weight of gold can be worth different amounts depending on what form it takes. Here's how each type is generally approached.

Gold Jewellery

Purity, payable gold weight, stones, condition and possible resale value may all be considered.

Learn more →

Scrap Gold

Usually valued mainly for usable gold content after accounting for stones and other materials.

Learn more →

Gold Coins

Gold content is important, but date, condition, rarity and collector demand can sometimes affect value.

Learn more →

Gold Bars and Bullion

Weight, purity, markings, dimensions, condition and authenticity checks may be considered.

Learn more →

Why Does the Gold Price Move?

Gold is traded globally, so movements can be influenced by:

  • Global buying and selling by investors, banks and central banks.
  • Interest rates.
  • Inflation expectations.
  • Economic uncertainty and geopolitical events.
  • The strength of the US dollar (gold is priced in dollars internationally).
  • The pound-to-dollar exchange rate for UK prices.
  • Overall investor demand.

We don't try to predict which way the price will go next. If you're weighing up timing, our guide on whether now is a good time to sell gold talks through the considerations without making promises about future prices.

Already Had a Gold Quote?

Send us the written quote and photographs of the same items. Let us try to beat any genuine like-for-like offer before you sell.

Let Us Try to Beat Your Quote

We do not guarantee to beat every quote. Final offers are subject to physical inspection, verified weight, purity, authenticity, condition and the live gold market at the time of valuation.

Need to know

Frequently asked questions

What is the gold price per gram in the UK?+

The UK gold price per gram changes throughout the day, tracking the global market and the pound-to-dollar exchange rate. The headline figure normally relates to pure 24ct gold — the amount per gram for 9ct, 14ct, 18ct or 22ct is a proportion of that, based on the purity. For a current per-gram indication on your items, send photos on WhatsApp or pop into our Church Street shop.

Why is 9ct gold worth less per gram than 18ct gold?+

9ct gold is 37.5% pure gold mixed with other metals, while 18ct is 75% pure. So a gram of 18ct contains roughly twice as much actual gold as a gram of 9ct, which is why the per-gram value is higher.

Is the headline gold price the amount a buyer will pay?+

No. The headline price is a market benchmark for pure gold. A buying offer takes into account the item's carat, weight, condition, any stones or non-gold parts, testing, and refining or resale costs. The headline price is a useful starting point, not a guaranteed payout.

How often does the gold price change?+

The global gold market moves continuously during trading hours, so prices can shift multiple times an hour. Day-to-day swings are usually small, but over weeks and months the price can move meaningfully.

What is a troy ounce?+

A troy ounce is the standard unit used to weigh precious metals internationally. One troy ounce is approximately 31.1035 grams — slightly heavier than the ordinary avoirdupois ounce used for food and general weights.

How do I calculate the gold content value?+

A rough formula is: item weight in grams × gold purity (as a decimal) × the current pure-gold price per gram. For example, 10g of 9ct gold is 10 × 0.375 × the current per-gram price of pure gold. This estimates the theoretical metal value only — it is not a guaranteed shop offer.

Are gold coins valued differently from jewellery?+

Yes. Recognised investment coins such as Sovereigns, Britannias and Krugerrands are usually valued mainly on their gold content and can often be priced closer to the market rate. Older or rarer coins may also carry collectable value on top of the metal.

Are gold bars valued differently from scrap gold?+

Yes. Investment bars from recognised refiners with clear markings and packaging are usually assessed against the bullion market. Mixed scrap jewellery has to be sorted, tested and refined, so the valuation approach and margins differ.

How are stones accounted for?+

Diamonds and other stones are not counted in the gold weight. Their weight is estimated and deducted so you're paid on the actual gold content. Some stones may have their own value, which is assessed separately.

Can you value my gold from photographs?+

Photographs are useful for an initial indication and to check what you have. A final offer is always confirmed after seeing, testing and weighing the items in person.

Can you try to beat an existing quote?+

Yes. Send us the written quote and photographs of the same items, and we'll try to beat any genuine like-for-like offer where commercially possible. We can't guarantee to beat every quote, but we'll always take a look.

Do I need an appointment?+

No appointment is needed for individual pieces — walk in during opening hours. For larger collections or bullion it's worth calling ahead so we can allow proper time.

Is the valuation free?+

Yes. In-store valuations are free and there's no obligation to sell. We test and weigh in front of you and explain how the figure is calculated before you decide.