Fine Weight
Also: Fine metal weight, Net metal weight
Fine weight indicates the actual amount of pure precious metal in a bar, coin or piece of jewellery – regardless of the total weight of the object.
Fine weight is one of the most important figures when buying and selling precious metals. It describes the amount of pure metal – gold, silver, platinum or palladium – contained in an object. Anyone who wants to apply the gold price to their piece of jewellery or their bar needs the fine weight, not the total weight of the piece.
Fine weight vs. gross weight
Every physical precious-metal object has two weight figures:
- Gross weight (also total or bruttoweight): the actually measured weight of the entire object – including all alloying metals such as copper, silver or zinc.
- Fine weight: only the proportion of pure precious metal within it.
The difference arises from the fineness, which is stated in parts per thousand (‰) or carats. The relationship is unambiguous:
Fine weight = gross weight × (fineness ÷ 1000)
An example: a gold bracelet weighs 10.0 g and carries the stamp 585 (14 carat). The fine weight is then 10.0 × 0.585 = 5.85 g of fine gold. Only this value is decisive in the melt value calculator.
Fine weights of common bullion coins and bars
| Object | Gross weight | Fineness | Fine weight (gold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krugerrand 1 oz | 33.93 g | 916.7 ‰ (22 carat) | 31.1035 g |
| Vienna Philharmonic 1 oz | 31.1035 g | 999.9 ‰ (24 carat) | 31.1035 g |
| Maple Leaf 1 oz | 31.1035 g | 999.9 ‰ (24 carat) | 31.1035 g |
| American Eagle 1 oz | 33.93 g | 916.7 ‰ (22 carat) | 31.1035 g |
| Gold bar 100 g (999.9) | 100.00 g | 999.9 ‰ | 99.99 g |
| Gold bar 1 kg (999.9) | 1,000.00 g | 999.9 ‰ | 999.90 g |
Notable: despite their higher gross weight, the Krugerrand and American Eagle contain the same amount of fine gold as the Maple Leaf – their copper content only increases mechanical durability.
Significance for purchase and melt value
Buyers – whether a refinery, coin dealer or pawnbroker – pay for the fine weight, not the gross weight. The price achieved is based on:
- Determine the fine weight (scales + fineness test)
- Read the current gold price (spot price in £/g or £/oz)
- Apply the dealer's buying ratio (typically 90–98% of the spot price)
You can determine the melt value of your scrap gold or dental gold directly in the melt value calculator – without a pocket calculator.
Fine weight in troy ounces
In international precious-metal trading, fine weight is often stated in troy ounces (oz t). One troy ounce corresponds to exactly 31.1034768 g. Standardised bars under LBMA Good Delivery (400 oz gold bars) are always valued in the trade by their fine weight in troy ounces – the gross weight of these heavy bars varies slightly depending on the exact alloy.
The unit converter converts grams, troy ounces, kilograms and other units in seconds.
In brief
Fine weight is the decisive figure in every precious-metal transaction: it states how much pure metal an object actually contains, and thus forms the only correct basis for price calculation, purchase and melt-value determination. Gross weight minus alloy components gives the fine weight – no more, no less.