Gold Jewellery Exchange Value Calculator (2026)
Planning to upgrade your old gold for a new design? Most jewellers apply a "melting loss" or a lower buyback rate when accepting old gold. Use our Gold Exchange Calculator to find out exactly how much cash or credit you should receive for your old ornaments.
Old Gold Buyback Estimator
Why Jewellers Deduct Value During Gold Exchange
When you exchange old jewellery, you rarely get the full market price. This is because the jeweler must refine the old gold back to 24K purity before it can be reused. In 2026, even with HUID hallmarking, standard deductions still apply.
1. Melting and Refining Loss
Even hallmarked 22K gold contains 8.4% alloys (copper or silver) used for soldering. When melted, a small percentage of gold is also lost. Most jewellers deduct between 1% to 3% as melting loss for hallmarked items, and significantly more for non-hallmarked old gold.
2. Stone Weight Deduction
One of the biggest mistakes consumers make is including the weight of stones in the gold calculation. Jewellers will always remove stones or subtract their estimated weight. Since stones have zero resale value in a gold exchange (unless they are high-quality diamonds with certificates), they are treated as dead weight.
3. Cash Buyback vs. Jewellery Exchange
Most retailers offer a better rate if you **exchange** your gold for a new ornament. If you ask for **cash**, they may deduct an additional 2% to 5% as a "processing fee" or "liquidation charge." In India, cash buybacks above ₹10,000 often require PAN card details for tax compliance.
Tips to Get the Highest Value
- Exchange where you bought: Many jewellers give 100% value (zero deduction on weight) if you return the gold to the same brand with the original bill.
- Clean your jewellery: Dirt, oil, and wax inside bangles can add 0.1g to 0.5g of "fake weight." A professional cleaning ensures you get the true weight.
- Check the Purity: Use a Karatmeter (available at most big showrooms) to verify the purity before they melt it.
Disclaimer: This calculator is a guide. Every showroom has its own policy regarding "Melting Loss" and "Buyback Rates." Always compare 2-3 jewellers before finalizing a large exchange.