Gold Price at Pawn Shop vs Melt Value - What to Expect
When selling gold, the price you get depends on the buyer. Pawn shops, online gold buyers, and refineries all pay different rates. Here's how gold price at pawn shop compares to melt value.
What Buyers Typically Pay
Pawn Shops: 70-80% of Melt Value
Pawn shop gold prices are usually the lowest. They offer same-day cash but need to leave room for profit. Expect 70-80% of the melt value. Good when you need quick money.
Online Gold Buyers: 80-90% of Melt Value
Mail-in gold buyers and online refiners typically pay more—80-90% of melt. Lower overhead lets them offer better rates. You ship your gold, they test and pay. Takes a few days.
Refineries: 85-95% of Melt Value
Selling direct to a refinery (or through a refinery-backed program) often gets the best scrap gold price—85-95% for bulk. Best for larger amounts.
Current Gold Prices (Melt Value)
Reference: melt value per gram. Pawn shops typically pay 70-80% of these amounts.
Tips Before Selling
- Know your gold's weight and purity before visiting any buyer
- Get multiple quotes—pawn shop, online buyer, local jeweler
- Use our scrap gold calculator to estimate melt value first
- Remove gemstones and sell them separately if valuable
Pawn Shop vs Melt Value FAQ
Use our Scrap Gold Calculator to estimate what you'd get from pawn shops, online buyers, and refineries for your weight and purity.