18ct Gold Price Per Gram - £87.59 Live UK Rate
18ct gold price per gram UK is £87.59 today. Calculate the value of your 18 carat gold jewelry, engagement rings, and fine jewelry instantly.
Last updated: 18 Feb 2026, 08:30
Calculate 18ct Gold Value£87.59
per gram
75%
pure gold (750)
- • Engagement rings
- • Fine jewelry
- • Luxury watches
| Item | Typical Weight | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|
| 18ct Engagement Ring | 4-8g | £350.36 - £700.72 |
| 18ct Gold Chain | 10-20g | £875.90 - £1,751.80 |
| 18ct Gold Bracelet | 15-30g | £1,313.85 - £2,627.70 |
| 18ct Wedding Band | 3-5g | £262.77 - £437.95 |
How to Identify 18ct Gold: Hallmarks & The 750 Mark
Understanding hallmarks ensures you're buying genuine 18 carat gold
750
Official 18ct Gold Mark
The hallmark 750 indicates that the gold is 75% pure (750 parts per 1,000), which is the definition of 18 carat gold. This mark is typically displayed in a rectangle with squared-off corners.
By UK law, British gold hallmarks must include the millesimal fineness mark (750 for 18ct) to verify authenticity.
Legitimate UK 18ct gold includes:
- •Fineness Mark: 750 or .750
- •Assay Office Mark: Symbol showing which UK assay office tested it (London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, or Sheffield)
- •Maker's Mark: Identifies the manufacturer or sponsor
- •Date Letter: Indicates year of manufacture (optional)
Many fake products are available with a sole "18k" or "18ct" stamp which are not genuine gold. These pieces are frequently produced from brass alloys and other metal mixtures.
Red Flags:
- ✗ Only "18k" or "18ct" stamp (no 750 mark)
- ✗ No assay office mark or maker's mark
- ✗ Poorly stamped or unclear markings
- ✗ Discoloration or green skin reaction
- ✗ Suspiciously low price
Authentic Signs:
- ✓ Clear 750 hallmark
- ✓ UK assay office symbol present
- ✓ Multiple hallmarks in sequence
- ✓ Consistent color throughout
- ✓ Price reflects genuine gold value
How to Verify 18ct Gold Authenticity
Look for clear hallmarks using a magnifying glass. The 750 mark should be sharp and well-defined, typically found on the inside of rings or clasps of necklaces.
Jewelers can perform acid tests or use electronic gold testers to verify purity. This is especially important for expensive pieces or if hallmarks are worn.
Gold is not magnetic. If a strong magnet attracts your "18ct gold," it's likely fake or heavily plated. However, clasps with steel springs may attract magnets.
Hypoallergenic Properties
With 75% pure gold content, 18ct gold is much less likely to cause skin reactions compared to 9ct gold (37.5% pure). The higher gold content means fewer allergenic metals in the alloy.
Rich, Warm Color
18ct gold has a distinctly richer, warmer golden hue compared to 9ct gold, which can appear paler. This luxurious color is highly prized for engagement rings and fine jewelry.
Better Value Retention
Higher gold content means 18ct gold retains value better than 9ct. It's easier to sell, trade, or melt down for its gold content. At £87.59 per gram, the intrinsic value is significantly higher.
Ideal for Intricate Designs
18ct gold's workability makes it perfect for hand-engraved pieces, filigree work, and detailed designs. It can be easily repaired, resized, or reworked by skilled jewelers.
18ct Gold Value Calculator
Calculate the value of your 18 carat gold instantly
Why 18ct Gold is Popular
18ct gold offers 75% pure gold content, giving it a rich, warm color while remaining durable enough for everyday wear. The 25% alloy metals (typically copper, silver, or palladium) add strength without compromising the gold's natural beauty.
18ct gold is the standard for engagement rings, wedding bands, and luxury watches because it won't tarnish, is hypoallergenic, and maintains its appearance over decades. It's pure enough to be valuable yet practical for daily wear.
Understanding 18ct Gold
Everything you need to know about 18 carat gold, the global standard for fine jewellery
18 carat gold, also written as 18ct or 18K, contains 75% pure gold by weight. The remaining 25% is made up of other metals, most commonly silver, copper, and palladium. This composition is reflected in its official hallmark: 750, indicating 750 parts per thousand of pure gold.
The carat system divides pure gold into 24 parts. Since 18ct gold contains 18 out of 24 parts pure gold, this gives us the 75% purity figure (18 ÷ 24 = 0.75). This is significantly higher than 9ct gold (37.5%) and 14ct gold (58.5%), but below the near-pure levels of 22ct (91.6%) and 24ct (99.9%).
The 25% alloy content in 18ct gold serves a crucial purpose: it strengthens the metal and can alter its colour. The specific alloy mix determines the variety of 18ct gold produced:
Yellow Gold
75% gold mixed with silver and copper in roughly equal parts, producing the classic warm golden hue.
White Gold
75% gold alloyed with palladium or nickel and silver, then often rhodium-plated for a bright finish.
Rose Gold
75% gold with a higher proportion of copper, creating the distinctive pinkish-red tone popular in modern jewellery.
18ct gold is widely regarded as the international standard for fine jewellery and luxury watches. Prestigious brands such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Rolex use 18ct gold as their primary material. In the UK, 18ct is the most popular choice for engagement rings, valued for its rich colour, durability, and hypoallergenic properties.
Unlike 9ct gold, which is more common in everyday UK jewellery, 18ct gold is chosen for pieces intended to last a lifetime. Its higher gold content means it resists tarnishing, maintains its lustre over decades, and is far less likely to cause skin irritation — making it the preferred choice for rings worn daily.
How 18ct Gold Price is Calculated
Understanding how dealers and calculators arrive at the 18ct gold price per gram
Formula
Spot Price Per Gram × 0.75 = 18ct Value Per Gram
Current calculation: £116.66 × 0.75 = £87.59 per gram
The price of 18ct gold is derived directly from the global gold spot price, which is quoted for 24ct (99.9%) pure gold. Since 18ct gold contains 75% pure gold, we multiply the spot price per gram by 0.75 to get the base 18ct gold price.
This base price (£87.59 per gram) represents the raw gold content value. When you sell 18ct gold to a dealer, the amount you receive will depend on several factors including the dealer's margin, the weight of your items, and market conditions at the time of sale.
18ct gold commands some of the best pay rates from dealers due to its high gold content. Reputable UK gold dealers typically pay between 90% and 97% of the 18ct gold spot value, depending on quantity and form.
| Dealer Pay Rate | Price Per Gram (18ct) | Typical Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | £78.83 | Small quantities, high-street buyers |
| 93% | £81.46 | Mid-range quantities, online dealers |
| 95% | £83.21 | Larger quantities, specialist dealers |
| 97% | £84.96 | Bulk sales, trade refiners |
Pay rates shown are indicative. Actual rates vary by dealer. Always obtain multiple quotes.
Dealers generally offer higher percentage pay rates for 18ct gold compared to lower purities. This is because the refining costs are proportionally lower — there is less base metal to remove. With 75% gold content versus 37.5% for 9ct, the refining process for 18ct scrap gold is more efficient and yields more gold per gram processed.
Additionally, 18ct gold items tend to hold more consistent value in the resale market. Some items, particularly branded jewellery and luxury watches, may even be worth more than their scrap gold value due to collectability and craftsmanship.
18ct Gold vs Other Purities
How does 18ct gold compare to 9ct, 14ct, 22ct, and 24ct?
| Purity | Gold Content | Price Per Gram | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9ct Gold | 37.5% | £43.79 | Affordable everyday jewellery, chains |
| 14ct Gold | 58.5% | £68.32 | International standard, durable jewellery |
| 18ct Gold | 75% | £87.59 | Fine jewellery, engagement rings, luxury watches |
| 22ct Gold | 91.6% | £106.97 | Gold sovereigns, Asian jewellery |
| 24ct Gold | 99.9% | £116.66 | Investment bars, bullion coins |
18ct gold contains exactly double the gold of 9ct (75% vs 37.5%), which is reflected in the price difference. While 9ct is the most common purity sold in UK high-street jewellers due to its affordability, 18ct is preferred for heirloom and special-occasion pieces.
18ct gold has a noticeably richer, deeper yellow tone compared to 9ct, which can appear lighter or slightly paler. For those with sensitive skin, 18ct is a safer choice as its lower base-metal content reduces the risk of allergic reactions.
22ct gold is softer than 18ct due to its higher purity (91.6% gold), making it more prone to scratches and bending. This is why 22ct is mainly used for gold coins such as sovereigns and Britannias, rather than jewellery intended for daily wear.
For rings, bracelets, and watches, 18ct offers the better balance of high gold content and practical wearability. However, 22ct is popular in South Asian jewellery traditions, where softer, higher-purity gold is valued.