UK Scrap Gold Prices Today – Live GBP Calculator
9ct, 18ct & 22ct • Live British pound prices • Updated every 60 seconds
Today's UK Gold Scrap Prices (GBP)
| Carat | Purity | Hallmark | Per Gram (GBP) | Per Troy Oz (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9ct | 37.5% | 375 | — | — |
| 14ct | 58.33% | 585 | — | — |
| 18ct | 75% | 750 | — | — |
| 22ct | 91.67% | 916 | — | — |
| 24ct | 99.99% | 999 | — | — |
All prices initialised with GBP rates from live exchange data.
UK Hallmarking System Explained
The UK has one of the world's oldest and most rigorous gold hallmarking systems, dating back to 1300. All gold items over 1 gram sold by a UK business must be assay office tested and hallmarked. Key hallmarks to know:
| Fineness Mark | Carat | Purity | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 375 | 9ct | 37.5% | UK high street jewelry |
| 585 | 14ct | 58.3% | Less common in UK |
| 750 | 18ct | 75% | UK fine jewelry |
| 916 | 22ct | 91.6% | Asian/Indian jewelry |
| 999 | 24ct | 99.9% | Investment bars/coins |
UK assay office marks: Anchor = Birmingham | Leopard Head = London | Castle = Edinburgh | Rose = Sheffield. Edinburgh's Assay Office was established in 1457.
Where to Sell Scrap Gold in the UK
The UK has a well-developed scrap gold market with multiple selling channels:
- Online postal buyers: Generally offer the highest percentage of melt value (80–92%). You post your gold, receive a valuation, and get paid by bank transfer.
- High street dealers: Convenient but often offer lower percentages (65–80%). Good for same-day payment.
- Pawnbrokers: Quick cash but typically 50–70% of melt value.
- Auctions (Christie's, Bonhams): Best for high-value, designer, or antique pieces. Not suitable for mixed scrap.
- Refineries: Direct refinery sales (usually require minimum quantities, e.g., 100g+) can yield 90–95% of melt value.
Scrap vs. Spot: What UK Dealers Actually Pay
The spot price shown on this page is the wholesale trading price on the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association). UK dealers buy scrap gold below spot to cover their refining costs and profit margin.
Typical UK dealer payouts as a percentage of melt value:
- 🏆 Best online buyers: 85–92% of melt value
- 🏪 High street dealers: 70–85% of melt value
- 🏠 Pawnbrokers: 50–70% of melt value
Use the dealer percentage slider in our calculator to estimate realistic offers at different payout rates.