How Much Is My Gold Worth in the UK?

The UK gold price is set by the global gold market and quoted in pounds per troy ounce (one troy ounce = 31.1035 grams). Dealers convert that figure into a per-gram price for each carat, then multiply by the weight of your item.

Because purity varies, a higher carat is worth more per gram than a lower carat at the same weight. We don't publish fixed per-gram figures here because the live UK gold price changes throughout the day — every offer is calculated against the current market rate at the moment you visit.

UK gold jewellery is hallmarked with a number that tells you its purity:

• 375 = 9ct (37.5% gold) — the most common UK jewellery carat
• 585 = 14ct (58.5% gold) — common in modern designer pieces
• 750 = 18ct (75% gold) — premium UK jewellery
• 916 = 22ct (91.6% gold) — sovereigns and Asian gold
• 999 = 24ct (99.9% gold) — bullion bars and Britannias

If your item isn't hallmarked, don't worry — a lot of older or imported UK jewellery isn't. We test every piece using professional methods (acid or XRF analysis) to confirm the exact carat, completely free.

Once we know the carat, we weigh each item on calibrated jeweller's scales accurate to 0.01g. Even small items add up — a single 9ct ring weighing 4g still represents real money at today's prices, and a few grams of 18ct gold can be worth significantly more than people expect. We weigh in front of you so you can see exactly what each piece is contributing to your offer.

Gold prices change daily — sometimes hourly — so we don't list fixed £-per-gram figures or example payouts on this page. The amount you receive depends on the live gold market rate at the time, the carat of your gold, the exact weight, and any stones or non-gold materials that need to be deducted. For an accurate figure, bring your items into our St Helens shop for a free, no-obligation valuation based on the live market on the day.

Reputable UK gold buyers pay a strong percentage of the current market rate. Smaller items and very low carats sometimes get slightly less per gram due to processing costs. Be cautious of any buyer who:

• Won't tell you the carat or weight openly
• Doesn't show you the current gold market rate
• Pressures you to sell on the day
• Pays only by cheque or delayed bank transfer

At St Helens Gold, every step happens in front of you and we pay cash on the spot.

• Bring everything together for a single, efficient valuation
• Don't try to clean or polish — it doesn't change the gold content
• Bring receipts or hallmark records if you have them
• Compare offers — we welcome written quotes from elsewhere

The fastest way to know the exact value of your gold is to bring it to a trusted local buyer. Pop into St Helens Gold inside Cash Generator on Church Street, St Helens — we'll test, weigh and quote in minutes, completely free with no obligation. If you decide to sell gold in St Helens with us, you'll be paid the same day in cash or by bank transfer.