Gram
Also: g, Gram (g)
The gram (unit symbol: g) is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) and the most widely used weight unit in the precious metals trade worldwide.
The gram is the smallest standard unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) and equals one thousandth of a kilogram. In the precious metals trade, the gram holds special significance: small bars (1 g, 2 g, 5 g, 10 g), dental gold purchases, and melt value calculations are almost invariably quoted in grams. The melt value calculator lets you determine the material value of scrap gold or silver jewellery to the second on a gram basis.
The Gram in Relation to Other Precious Metal Weight Units
Internationally, gold is traded at the major exchanges (LBMA, COMEX) not in grams but in the fine ounce (troy ounce, ozt). One fine ounce equals exactly 31.1034768 grams. Because the spot price is always expressed in fine ounces, converting to grams is the first step for private investors when assessing a price.
| Unit | Grams (g) | Region of use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 fine ounce (troy oz) | 31.1035 g | World market (LBMA, COMEX) |
| 1 kilogram | 1,000 g | Europe, large bars |
| 1 tola | 11.6638 g | India, Pakistan |
| 1 tael (Hong Kong) | 37.4290 g | China, East Asia |
| 1 pennyweight (dwt) | 1.5552 g | US jewellery industry |
| 1 grain (troy) | 0.06480 g | Historical, numismatics |
| 1 momme | 3.7500 g | Japan |
You can calculate the current gold price per gram by dividing the fine ounce price by 31.1035 — or simply use the gold calculator, which performs this conversion automatically.
The Gram as a Trading Unit for Bars and Coins
Small gold and silver bars are standardly offered in Europe in gram denominations:
- 1 g, 2 g, 5 g – entry-level bars, often in credit-card format (e.g. CombiBar)
- 10 g, 20 g, 31.1 g (= 1 oz) – medium denominations for building a savings position
- 50 g, 100 g – common investment bars with a reduced premium over smaller bars
- 250 g, 500 g, 1,000 g (= 1 kg) – larger trade bars
The smaller the bar in grams, the higher the premium (agio) relative to the pure material value tends to be. A buying price calculator shows what dealers pay for a given gram weight.
Formula Box: Gram Conversions
Price per gram = fine ounce price ÷ 31.1035
Fine weight (g) = gross weight (g) × fineness (‰ ÷ 1000)
Melt value (£/€) = fine weight (g) × gold price per gram
Significance in Scrap Gold and Dental Gold Purchasing
When purchasing dental gold, old jewellery, or broken gold, the gram is the central calculation unit. What matters is not the gross weight but the fine weight: a 14-carat bracelet weighing 10 g contains only 5.85 g of fine gold (fineness 585 ‰). The silver calculator works on the same principle for silver objects.
In Brief
The gram is the universal working unit in the European precious metals trade — from the 1 g gold card to the 1 kg bar. Anyone who knows the current price per gram and keeps the simple conversion formula (fine ounce price ÷ 31.1035) in mind can quickly assess any melt value and any dealer price.