10k Gold Price Per Gram Today
$57.48 per gram of 10k gold
$89.40 per dwt · $1,787.92 per troy oz of 10k metal
Gold spot $4,291.00/oz · updated
Quick answer: 10-karat gold is worth $57.48 per gram in melt value as of September 23, 2026. That's $89.40 per pennyweight and $1,787.92 per troy ounce of 10k metal. 10k is 10 parts gold in 24, or 41.7%, so a gram of it holds 0.417 g of pure gold priced at $137.96.
| Amount | Gold content | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | 0.4167 g gold | $57.48 |
| 1 pennyweight (1.555 g) | 0.6480 g gold | $89.40 |
| 1 troy ounce (31.10 g) | 12.960 g gold | $1,787.92 |
| Class ring, 10 g | 4.17 g gold | $574.83 |
| Chain, 8 g | 3.33 g gold | $459.86 |
| Band, 4 g | 1.67 g gold | $229.93 |
| Bracelet, 15 g | 6.25 g gold | $862.24 |
What 10k gold is
Ten-karat gold is the least pure alloy that can be sold as "gold" in the United States. Under the Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides, anything below 10 karat can't be marked or described as gold there. Other countries set the line differently. The UK and much of the Commonwealth recognize 9-karat (37.5%) gold, which is common in British jewelry. In the US, 10k is the floor.
The other 58.3% of a 10k alloy is mostly silver, copper and zinc, with nickel or palladium in some white versions. So much alloy changes the metal in three ways people notice:
- It's harder. 10k resists scratches, dents and wear better than any higher karat. That's why it's the default for pieces that take abuse: class rings, men's work rings, charms, and inexpensive chains.
- It's paler. Yellow 10k is a lighter, slightly greener or brassier yellow than 14k or 18k. Rose 10k is noticeably pink because of the extra copper.
- It can react. With less gold to protect it, 10k can tarnish slightly over years. Some white 10k alloys contain nickel, a common skin allergen. That's the main reason some people who "can't wear gold" can wear 14k or 18k.
The low gold content also makes 10k the cheapest real gold to buy, and correspondingly the least valuable per gram to sell. A gram of 10k is worth about 71% of a gram of 14k.
The 10K and 417 stamps, and how to check them
US-made 10k pieces are usually stamped 10K or 10KT. Pieces made to European conventions, or for export, may carry 417 (for 41.7% gold). Some older American pieces carry 416, an older rounding of the same standard. You'll usually find the stamp inside a ring's band, on a chain's clasp or end tag, or on the post of an earring.
What a stamp doesn't prove. A karat stamp is a claim by whoever made the piece, not a guarantee. Several marks mean something different:
- 10K GF or GF: gold-filled, a thick layer of gold bonded to base metal. Worth only a small fraction of solid 10k.
- 10K GP, GEP, HGE or RGP: gold-plated or electroplated. The gold content is negligible.
- 1/20 10K: a gold-filled mark meaning the gold layer is one-twentieth of the item's weight.
How buyers test it. Most buyers file a small notch in an inconspicuous spot and apply testing acid. A 10k-rated acid reveals whether the metal is at least 10 karat. Better-equipped buyers use an XRF analyzer, which reads the metal's composition in seconds without damaging it. If a piece tests below its stamp, it may be plated over base metal, and the buyer will price it accordingly.
Where you'll find 10k gold
In the US, 10k is everywhere at the durable, affordable end of the market:
- Class rings and championship rings. Most US school and college rings have long been offered in 10k as the base gold option. They're heavy, often 8–20 grams, which makes them some of the most valuable 10k items people own.
- Men's jewelry. Signet rings, heavy link chains and ID bracelets, where durability matters more than color.
- Mall and online fashion jewelry. Chains, hoops and pendants at lower price points.
- Charms and small pendants, where the low cost per gram keeps prices down.
Outside North America, 10k is rare. Buyers in Europe and Asia are used to 14k, 18k or 22k, and 10k jewelry can be harder to resell there.
Worked examples
1. A 10k class ring weighing 12 grams (with a synthetic stone). Stones can make up a surprising share of a class ring's weight. Say the gold part is 10.5 g. 10.5 g × 41.7% = 4.38 g of pure gold, worth $603.57.
2. A 10k rope chain weighing 8 grams. 8 g × 41.7% = 3.34 g of pure gold, worth $459.86. Check whether the chain is hollow before you estimate from its looks.
3. The same weight in 10k vs 14k. A 5 g band is worth $287.41 in 10k and $402.38 in 14k. That's why buyers test before they pay, and why you should know which one you have.
Selling 10k gold?
These figures are melt value, which is the ceiling, not an offer. Refiners and mail-in buyers typically pay a percentage of melt, local shops less, and pawn shops less still. Ask for the price per pennyweight and the karat they tested at.
Buying instead?
You'll pay above spot How buying gold bullion works →
Other karats and tools
14k gold price per gram: $80.48 · 18k: $103.47 · 22k: $126.46 · 24k: $137.82 · Gold melt value calculator · Scrap gold calculator · Gold price per gram
FAQ
Is 10k real gold?
Yes. It's 41.7% pure gold alloyed with other metals, and it's the lowest karat that can legally be called gold in the US. Gold-filled and gold-plated items marked "10K GF" or "10K GP" are not solid 10k.
How much is a 10k gold ring worth?
Weigh it in grams, subtract any stones, and multiply by $57.48. A typical 4-gram 10k band holds about $229.93 of gold at today's price.
Why is 10k so much cheaper than 14k?
It contains 28.6% less gold. A 10k piece has 41.7% gold against 58.3% for 14k, and price per gram follows gold content almost exactly.
Does 10k gold turn your finger green?
Occasionally. The high copper content can react with skin, sweat or lotions and leave a faint green or dark mark. It washes off and doesn't mean the gold is fake.
What does 417 mean on gold?
It's the European-style fineness mark for 10-karat gold: 417 parts per thousand of pure gold.
Data sources: Spot price via api.gold-api.com · COMEX futures (GC=F) via Yahoo Finance. Prices are for informational purposes only and may be delayed. Figures on this page were generated . Gold is quoted in US dollars per troy ounce.