1
Sort and weigh
Items are grouped and weighed. Stones, watch movements and other non-gold parts are handled separately when needed.
FairGold valuation methodology
How a gold offer is calculated
Short answer: the offer equals the item’s verified payable weight multiplied by FairGold’s current posted per-gram buying rate for its tested karat and volume tier. Weight is measured in front of you, purity is checked by XRF, and the calculation is explained before you decide whether to sell.
Reviewed July 16, 2026 · Approximately 6 minutes to read
The calculation
Three inputs determine the offer
The simplest customer-facing calculation uses the buying rates already published on our prices page. Those rates are quoted in Canadian dollars per gram and organized by karat and total volume.
Verified payable weightThe gold-bearing weight measured in grams.
Posted per-gram rateThe current rate for the XRF-verified karat.
Your gold offerThe amount shown before you choose whether to sell.
Example: if an item contains 10.00 payable grams of 14K gold, the calculation is 10.00 × the current posted 14K rate. If several karats are present, each group is calculated separately and then added together.
What happens at the counter
A visible four-step appraisal
Most appraisals are completed in about 30 minutes. You can see the measurements and ask questions at every stage.
2
Test with XRF
The analyzer reads elemental composition so the offer does not rely only on a stamp, colour or visual estimate.
3
Match the rate
The verified karat and combined volume are matched to the current buying rate displayed on our prices page.
4
Review the offer
We show the calculation and payment amount. The appraisal is free and there is no obligation to complete the sale.
Understanding purity
What karat means
Karat expresses how many parts out of 24 are gold. A hallmark is a useful starting point, but testing matters because solder, repairs, plating and mixed components can affect an item’s actual composition.
| Common mark | Gold proportion | Equivalent fineness |
|---|---|---|
| 10K | About 41.7% | 417 |
| 14K | About 58.3% | 583 / 585 |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 |
| 22K | About 91.7% | 916 / 917 |
| 24K | 99.9%+ | 999 |
Testing and accuracy
Why XRF results affect the offer
X-ray fluorescence identifies the elements present near the tested surface. It gives a fast, non-destructive composition reading and helps distinguish different gold alloys, but the result must still be interpreted in context.
Hallmarks are not the final measurement
A 14K stamp indicates an intended standard. Testing checks whether the measured composition supports that mark.
Mixed items may need several readings
Clasps, solder points, repairs and attached components can differ from the main body of a piece.
Plating requires extra care
Because XRF reads the tested surface, plated or layered items may require additional inspection or testing at another point.
Non-gold weight is handled separately
Gemstones and mechanisms do not become payable gold weight simply because they are attached to jewellery or a watch.
Verification and further reading
Primary sources
These independent government references explain Canadian precious-metal quality marks and the legal units used for weighing precious metals.
- Competition Bureau Canada — Detailed precious-metal quality marks
- Measurement Canada — Buying gold and other precious metals by weight
- U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology — Units of mass
This page explains FairGold’s appraisal method and is not a guaranteed quote. Final value depends on the items presented, verified composition, payable weight and the rate available at the time of appraisal.