SpotDental Gold Calculator
Estimate the gold content of a crown or bridge using a 16K starting assumption. Use the net alloy weight and an assay where available.
Gold · $3,887.60 USD/ozt · $124.99 USD/gMarket quote · Gold API · 2026-11-14 14:09 UTC
Your item
100% Melt Value
1.3333 g fine gold
- Estimated buyer payout · 80%
- $133.32
- Illustrative payout range · 70–100%
- $116.66 – $166.65
16K dental gold price by weight
| Weight | Melt value (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 g | $83.33 |
| 5 g | $416.63 |
| 10 g | $833.26 |
| 20 g | $1,666.52 |
| 30 g | $2,499.78 |
| 40 g | $3,333.05 |
| 50 g | $4,166.31 |
| 100 g | $8,332.62 |
How to calculate melt value
Melt value = weight in grams × purity fraction × (USD spot price per ozt ÷ 31.1034768)
At 16K dental purity, 10 g contains 6.6667 g of fine gold. Use 31.1034768 g per troy ounce or 1.55517384 g per pennyweight.
Estimated payout = melt value × selected payout percentage.
Dental Gold Alloy Guide
| Restoration | What to check |
|---|---|
| Gold-colored crown or bridge | Gold-based alloys vary in purity. The 16K preset assumes 66.7% gold by weight. |
| Silver-colored crown | It may contain palladium and silver, or it may be a base-metal alloy. Color alone cannot identify the composition. |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal crown | Use the weight of the metal substructure only. Exclude porcelain, cement and tooth material. |
Do not rely on a jewelry-style hallmark for dental gold. Ask a refiner or assay lab to verify the alloy using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or another professional assay.
Frequently asked questions
Is every yellow dental crown 16K?
No. Dental alloy compositions vary. The 16K setting assumes two-thirds gold by weight. Only testing can establish the actual composition.
Should I include porcelain and cement in the weight?
Use the weight of the metal alloy only. Porcelain, cement and tooth material would inflate the estimate.
Can a crown also contain palladium?
Some dental alloys contain palladium, platinum or silver. An assay can identify these metals and measure their fractions.
Does a white crown necessarily have precious metal?
White color alone cannot establish the alloy. Some dental restorations are base metal or ceramic.
What should I request from a dental scrap buyer?
Ask how alloy content is tested, which metals are payable and what fees apply to the final settlement.