How is the 9ct per-gram rate worked out?
Compare our 9ct figure to the other UK jewellery carats we buy on the same live rate:
| Carat | Fineness | Pure gold % | GoldPaid indicative £/g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9ct | 375 | 37.5% | £38.96 |
| 14ct | 585 | 58.5% | £60.78 |
| 18ct | 750 | 75.0% | £77.93 |
| 22ct | 916 | 91.6% | £95.18 |
| 24ct | 999 | 99.9% | £103.80 |
Worked examples on common 9ct pieces
Every worked figure below is computed at build time from the live 9ct rate, so nothing in the prose or the table is stale. These are metal-only figures for solid pieces; stone-set or hollow pieces have their own deductions on the written offer.
| Piece | Weight | Rate used | Indicative figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9ct plain wedding band | 4 g | £38.96/g | £155.84 |
| 9ct 20" curb chain | 8 g | £38.96/g | £311.68 |
| 9ct Oxford signet ring | 16 g | £38.96/g | £623.36 |
| Mixed 9ct scrap lot | 30 g | £38.96/g | £1,168.80 |
| Heavy 9ct Cuban chain | 60 g | £38.96/g | £2,337.60 |
You can rebuild any of these yourself: weight × the published rate. If the offer we send after XRF differs by more than a rounding error on a clean solid 9ct piece, the reason will be one of assayed alloy variance, a stone or non-gold component we found, or the market rate moving between now and the day of assay. Every one of those is shown on the itemised breakdown.
What actually moves the per-gram figure
- The world gold spot price. Traded in US dollars per troy ounce, then converted to GBP per gram. Moves every trading day.
- The GBP-USD exchange rate. A weaker pound raises the sterling gold rate for a given dollar spot, and vice versa.
- Refining and margin. A postal buyer takes a margin; ours applies as a ratio of live spot (currently around 95 per cent for gold, as published on our position).
- Alloy variance. A stamp of 375 usually assays close to 375, but solder joints and old repairs can push a specific piece slightly above or below. XRF measures what is there.
- Item-specific deductions. Stones, springs, base-metal clasps and hollow fill come out of the payable weight, itemised on the written offer.
When is the 9ct rate a good time to sell?
We do not predict the price and neither does anyone honest in this trade. What we can say is that the mechanics are transparent: the rate moves, the assay tells the truth about what a piece is, and the written offer shows the working. If you want to compare a written offer against the market today, our gold price today page shows the live per-gram rate for every carat, and the market outlook piece covers the honest limits of any timing call.
Common questions
Is 9ct gold worth selling?
Yes. 9ct is the most liquid scrap category in the UK, and even small pieces add up. A single 4g band is currently worth about £155.84 at our indicative rate; a 30g mixed 9ct lot about £1,168.80. Kitchen scales are enough to sense-check whether posting is worthwhile.
Do you pay the same 9ct rate for scrap and wearable pieces?
Yes. GoldPaid pays on the confirmed gold content, not on whether a piece is intact. A broken 9ct chain and an intact 9ct chain of the same weight produce the same offer.
How often does this page update?
Every site build. The rate comes from rates.generated.js, which the build regenerates each time. The current figure was calibrated 2026-08-24. For the intraday market picture, see gold price today.
What if my 9ct piece has stones?
The stones are separated from the payable weight and either priced under our written diamond-and-gemstone policy or returned with the piece if you decline. Nothing is unset without your written instruction.
How does the 9ct rate compare to a high-street buyer?
Our published payout ratio sits around 95 per cent of live spot; high-street shops typically pay 55-75 per cent, pawnbrokers on outright sales 60-80 per cent. The full transparency table is on our position.
Request a free prepaid Royal Mail label
Three quick steps. The label arrives by email, usually within about 30 minutes during working hours. Requesting one commits you to nothing: you get a written offer after the XRF assay, and if you decline, your items come back to you free.
Would you rather ask a question first, or send a photo? Message us on WhatsApp . It is the fastest way to get a sense of what something is worth before you post anything.