Gold, Grade Information
22ct Gold
22 carat gold is 91.7% pure gold, the standard for gold sovereigns and high-purity Indian and Middle Eastern jewellery. Among the most valuable gold scrap grades.
Periodic Table Position
History & Interesting Facts
Twenty-two carat gold has a specific and important place in British coinage history. The "crown gold" standard of 22 carats (916.7 parts per thousand gold) was established by Henry VIII in 1526 for British gold coinage, using just enough alloy (typically copper) to make the coins harder and more durable while retaining the rich yellow colour. The gold sovereign, Britain's most famous gold coin, has been minted in 22ct gold continuously since 1817 (with brief interruptions during wartime gold collection). The sovereign contains 7.32 grams of pure gold in a 22ct alloy and has been one of the world's most widely recognised gold coins for over two centuries. Gold sovereigns were minted in their billions for use in international trade and as reserve currency, and millions remain in circulation as numismatic and investment items. Sovereigns found in estate clearances are often valued both for their gold content and their numismatic premium.
Historical Uses
Twenty-two carat gold's primary historical application has been in coinage, the gold sovereign, half sovereign, and various Commonwealth gold coins all use the 22ct specification. Beyond coinage, 22ct gold is used in traditional high-purity jewellery in South Asia and the Middle East, where the deep yellow colour of high-carat gold is culturally prized. Indian wedding jewellery is traditionally made in 22ct or 24ct gold, gold bangles, necklaces, and decorative items given as part of the bride's dowry are typically 22ct. Antique British jewellery from the Georgian era (1714–1830) was often made in 22ct because the lower-carat alloys had not yet achieved wide acceptance. The term "hallmark" itself derives from the Hall of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London, where gold items have been tested since 1300.
Current Uses
Twenty-two carat gold scrap arises from old and damaged sovereigns (where the coin's condition makes it more valuable as scrap than as a collectible), South Asian and Middle Eastern jewellery brought to the UK through diaspora communities and estate sales, antique Georgian jewellery pieces, and occasionally items of unknown provenance assayed and found to be 22ct. The high gold content (91.7%) means 22ct scrap commands a significantly higher per-gram price than 9ct or 18ct. Gold sovereigns at scrap are typically priced at a modest premium to their pure gold melt value, as even damaged sovereigns are more valuable than plain 22ct jewellery for some buyers. QuickStop Metals buys 22ct gold at prices closely linked to the LBMA daily price, with assay confirmation for all significant purchases. Proper identification of 22ct is essential, the hallmark "916" or "22" confirms the standard.
Future Possible Uses
Twenty-two carat gold's role in investment coinage (sovereigns, Krugerrands, American Eagles) ensures its relevance as a store of value indefinitely. The sovereign in particular has been used as a crisis currency and emergency fund by British families for generations, and this role shows no signs of diminishing as economic uncertainty persists globally. High-purity gold jewellery demand from South Asian communities globally continues to grow alongside rising wealth levels in India, where the gold jewellery market, the world's second largest, favours 22ct and above. Central bank gold reserves continue to be accumulated at rates not seen since the 1960s, driven by de-dollarisation strategies, supporting the gold price that underpins all scrap gold values. New industrial applications for gold in electronics, medicine, and space technology add incremental demand to a market where physical supply growth is constrained by mining economics.
Where Does This Scrap Come From?
22ct gold scrap comes from old gold sovereigns and half-sovereigns in conditions too poor for numismatic value, South Asian bridal and festive jewellery sold during financial need or estate clearance, antique Georgian jewellery pieces, and occasionally industrial gold items assayed at 22ct purity. The UK's South Asian diaspora community generates significant 22ct scrap flows, gold jewellery is a culturally important store of wealth and regularly changes hands through private sales, estate distributions, and financial need sales. Estate agents clearing inherited properties sometimes direct jewellery boxes containing sovereigns and gold items to specialist precious metal buyers. All purchases of gold above de minimis amounts require identity verification under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 and anti-money laundering regulations, regardless of the seller.
How Is It Remanufactured?
22ct gold scrap requires very little refining to reach fine gold purity given its high starting content of 91.7%. A relatively modest refining step removes the copper (and sometimes silver) alloying additions to produce 99.99% gold. The Miller chlorination process, blowing chlorine through molten gold, efficiently removes base metals and silver from 22ct scrap. The resulting fine gold can be cast directly into sovereign-specification alloy (by adding the correct proportion of copper back) for coin production, or sold as bullion bars. The Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales, uses refined gold to produce new gold sovereigns, half-sovereigns, and other UK gold coins. Some recovered 22ct gold re-enters the jewellery supply chain as high-purity alloy for South Asian and Middle Eastern jewellery markets, where its colour and purity match consumer expectations for high-carat gold.
5-Year Price Trend & Forecast
At 91.7% gold content, 22ct scrap is exceptionally close to the pure gold spot price, buyers typically pay 90–97% of the LBMA spot gold value for well-verified 22ct material, minus refining charges. Over 2021–2026, the LBMA gold price rose from around £1,350/oz to record highs above £2,800/oz, significantly increasing the value of 22ct scrap. At £2,600/oz gold, 22ct items are worth approximately £2,383/oz pure gold equivalent, or approximately £76–80 per gram at scrap. Gold sovereigns command a slight premium, sometimes 3–5%, because their known weight (7.98g for a full sovereign, 7.32g fine gold) and purity eliminate assay uncertainty. The long-term gold price outlook remains positive, supported by central bank demand, investor uncertainty, and constrained new mine supply. 22ct gold is among the most valuable materials accepted at QuickStop.
Note: All scrap yard prices paid by QuickStop Metals are calculated as a percentage of the prevailing LME or spot market price, updated daily. Check today's prices →
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