How much we give for gold: prices by purity and how we appraise
We answer the main question: how much money you can really get for gold at a pawnshop in Almaty today. We show a price table for all purities, explain how the appraisal works and why the number isn't pulled out of thin air.
Price table per gram by purity 375–999
| Purity | Collateral loan, ₸/g | Immediate sale, ₸/g |
|---|---|---|
| 375 | 20 600 | 22 660 |
| 500 | 27 500 | 30 250 |
| 583 | 31 900 | 35 090 |
| 585 | 32 100 | 35 310 |
| 750 | 41 200 | 45 320 |
| 850 | 46 700 | 51 370 |
| 916 | 50 300 | 55 330 |
| 999 | 54 900 | 60 390 |
| Unknown | 31 500 (average) | — |
At Topcash the price per gram of 585 gold is 32 100 ₸ for a collateral loan and 35 310 ₸ for buyout without return; for 999 purity — 54 900 ₸ and 60 390 ₸. If you don't know the purity, we calculate at the average 31 500 ₸/g, and the exact figure is shown by the analyzer in front of you — the final amount doesn't shift after signing.
How the appraisal works: analyzer, scales, stones
We determine purity with an X-ray fluorescence analyzer — no acid or scratches, the result is visible on the screen, and we record the weight on scales in front of the client. We accept rings, chains, earrings, bracelets, scrap, bars and dental gold — each item is calculated separately, because 583 and 585 purity give a different price per gram despite looking almost identical. Stones and inserts are deducted from the weight — this is standard, not nitpicking: that way you don't pay interest on what isn't gold. In our practice, disputed cases are most often about inserts — a cubic zirconia in a heavy setting can sometimes eat up to a third of the stated weight, and the client only finds out at the weighing.
How to check that the appraisal is fair
- Check the price in advance: look at similar items on Kaspi Magazin and OLX.kz — that's your reference point before the visit.
- Ask about purity: if the appraiser names a figure without an analyzer — that's a reason to be wary and ask for a test.
- Check the weight: ask to weigh in front of you and show the stones deducted from the total weight.
- Clarify whether it's a loan or a sale: the price difference is about 10% in favor of buyout without return.
- Ask for the calculation on paper: loan amount, rate, term and total to repay — everything should be visible before signing.
- Compare with the market: Kaspi Magazin, OLX.kz and Kolesa.kz will show what similar items go for today.
Rate, APR and loan terms: what you actually pay for
Here we break down the numbers such organizations usually avoid: daily rate, APR, term and repayment procedure. We explain in plain language why the overpayment here is higher than a bank's and where to look for hidden fees.
Rate 0.19–0.25% per day and what APR is
Our rate is 0.19–0.25% per day, and the APR is up to 69.35% for loans up to 45 MCI and up to 44.03% above 45 MCI. APR is the annual effective rate that includes not only interest but also all related payments under the contract; for a licensed lender it is calculated using the ARDFM formula and does not exceed the cap set by the regulator. A bank consumer loan for a year goes at 20–26% per annum, but there interest is paid for twelve months, not ten days. A collateral loan is issued for a term of 1 to 90 days, and interest is charged only for the actual days of using the money. In our practice, clients more often take a sum for 7–14 days — until payday or for an urgent payment, and the overpayment for such a term stays within a few thousand tenge. APR is higher than the bank's not because it's 'expensive', but because the term is short: 0.25% per day is about 7.5% per month, and with a 10-day loan you pay only for 10 days.
Loan terms: term, repayment, extension
| Parameter | Topcash |
|---|---|
| Rate per day | 0,19–0,25% |
| APR | up to 69.35% (up to 45 MCI) / up to 44.03% (above) |
| Term | 1–90 days |
| Early repayment | any day, no penalty |
| Extension | online via Kaspi |
| Fees | 0 ₸ for appraisal and processing |
A single repayment suits those whose money comes in one sum: there is no monthly payment schedule, so the contract can be closed on any day, and interest is charged only for the actual days. Extension is done online — interest payment via Kaspi without visiting a branch.
What to check in a loan contract
- Rate per day: must be stated in percent, not 'from … ₸' — otherwise recalculate the total yourself.
- Total amount to repay: the final figure for the whole term, not just the loan 'principal' — compare it with the amount in hand.
- Term and repayment date: the specific day by which the item must be bought back, otherwise the collateral goes to sale.
- Collection procedure: what happens if you don't buy back the collateral on time — usually set out in a separate clause.
- License details: the ARDFM license number — a sign of a legal lender operating under the regulator's supervision.
- Lines for 'storage', 'appraisal', 'processing': there should be none — with a direct lender these services are included in the rate.
- Right to early repayment: make sure no penalty for early closure is stated — by law there should be none.
How to get money: appraisal, documents, 15 minutes
Step by step, we break down the path from a photo on WhatsApp to cash at the counter. We show which documents are needed, how long processing takes and why income statements and credit history don't matter.
Step-by-step loan process
- Send a photo on WhatsApp: 5–10 minutes — and you already know the approximate collateral loan amount.
- Come to the branch that suits you: 6 locations across Almaty, all open 24/7, no days off.
- Appraisal in front of you: an X-ray fluorescence analyzer shows the purity on screen, scales show the weight, stones and inserts are deducted from the mass.
- Sign the contract: the rate, term and total amount to repay are visible before signing, with no hidden fees.
- Get your money: in cash from the counter or by transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk and any card in Kazakhstan.
Which documents are needed and who is refused
For a loan you only need a national ID of the RK or a passport and age from 18 — income statements and credit history are not requested. Appraisal is free: there are no fees for inspection, processing and storage of collateral (0 ₸). Car owners bring the registration certificate — the car stays with the owner, only the documents are pledged, and the inspection takes about 15 minutes with a check against the collateral and restrictions database. Refusal is possible if the item is listed in the collateral database or its condition doesn't match what was stated — but that's rare: we work with collateral, not with your solvency.
Loan or immediate sale — what to choose
A loan is money at interest with the item returned, while an immediate sale is a buyout under a purchase agreement with no interest and no terms, about 10% above the loan amount (for cars — 1.25 times). A 585-purity ring weighing 5 g will give about 160 500 ₸ as a loan or 176 550 ₸ when sold; a Rolex Submariner Date — up to 2 800 000 ₸ or 3 080 000 ₸ respectively. A buyout is processed under the same purchase agreement as any deal with a jewelry store — the item passes to us for good. If the item is dear as a memory or you plan to buy it back — take a loan; if you're ready to part with it — an immediate sale gives more money and removes the question of terms.
24/7 and nearby: how a pawnshop works at night
A 24/7 pawnshop isn't just a line in a 2GIS listing — it's a real scenario: money at night, on weekends and on holidays. Here's how it works and where to find the nearest branch.
6 branches in Almaty and how to find the nearest one
Topcash has 6 branches, all open 24/7 with no days off; the main one is at Abylai Khan Ave, 91 in the Almaly district, the car pawnshop is at Dostyk Ave, 210. The pawnshop in Almaty spans 6 locations across different districts, so the nearest one is close from almost anywhere in the city — from Sain and Abay to Rozybakiev and Seifullin. If you're looking for a pawnshop nearby but it's a long drive, send a photo of your item on WhatsApp first: we'll give a preliminary figure in 5–10 minutes, and you'll come to the branch already knowing the amount. At night, photo appraisal works just like during the day — if you already have your figure, all that's left at the branch is to confirm it and collect the money.
What actually works at night
- Photo appraisal: available 24/7, WhatsApp reply in 5–10 minutes.
- Paperwork at the branch: about 15 minutes at any time of day.
- Cash payout: from the branch cash desk, no pre-order needed.
- Card transfer: Kaspi Gold, Halyk or any card in Kazakhstan.
- Car check against the collateral database: inspection takes about 15 minutes; if the database is under maintenance, it moves to the morning.
What you can pawn: gold, gadgets, watches, cars
Here's the full list of collateral categories and the maximum amounts for each — what you can pawn and how much you'll get. We also cover the auto pawnshop separately, where the car stays with the owner and only the registration certificate is held as collateral.
Table: "What we accept and how much we give"
| Category | Loan up to, ₸ | Instant sale, ₸ | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 585 gold | 32 100 /g | 35 310 /g | national ID |
| iPhone Duo | 720 000 | 792 000 | national ID |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 480 000 | 528 000 | national ID |
| MacBook Pro 16″ M4 Pro | 1 500 000 | 1 650 000 | national ID |
| Rolex Submariner Date | 2 800 000 | 3 080 000 | national ID |
| Cartier Santos | 1 900 000 | 2 090 000 | national ID |
| Cars (passenger, trucks, special equipment) | up to 20 000 000 | ×1.25 to the loan | registration certificate + national ID |
Amounts are for excellent condition and a full set: without the box, charger or bracelet, the appraisal drops by 10-20%, but doesn't go to zero.
Auto pawnshop: the car stays with you
At Topcash's auto pawnshop, the car stays with the owner — only the registration certificate is held as collateral, and the loan amount reaches 60% of the market price and 20 000 000 ₸. We accept passenger cars, trucks and special equipment: inspection takes about 15 minutes, during which the car is checked against the collateral and restrictions database. You can drive as usual — to work, for taxi rides, on intercity trips, with no mileage limits. We verify the market price against Kolesa.kz and Kaspi Magazin so the amount is based on current listings, not a price list from three years ago. Come in the morning with your registration certificate — by lunch you'll be leaving with the money.
What we don't accept and why
- No documents: gadgets and cars without proof of ownership aren't accepted — otherwise someone else's property ends up as collateral.
- Clear signs of counterfeiting: fake brands, altered purity marks and homemade stamps aren't accepted even at a low price.
- Not working: a smartphone or laptop must turn on, hold a charge and boot up — otherwise the real value can't be determined.
- Restricted circulation: weapons, documents and state awards can't be pawned under Kazakh law.
What happens to your item: storage, insurance, buyout
We address the client's biggest fear — "I'll lose my item." Here's how collateral is stored, how overdue works and how buyout without return works.
How collateral is stored and insured
Collateral at Topcash is kept in a safe and insured, and we seal gold in a bag with the client's signature and return it in the same condition. Jewelry, gadgets and watches are kept in individual packaging with the contract number; the auto pawnshop works differently: the car stays with the owner, only the registration certificate is held as collateral. The gold bag is opened only in the owner's presence — for early repayment or for a rollover with re-appraisal. Sealing with a signature isn't a formality: if the bag is opened without you, you'll see it right away, and we're responsible for the contents.
What happens if you don't buy back your item on time
If the loan isn't repaid on time, Topcash doesn't sell the item the same day: first we contact the client and offer an extension or buyout, and only then does the collateral go to sale under the contract. The loan term is 1–90 days, and on the due date interest stops only after full settlement. Extensions are arranged online: interest paid via Kaspi, no branch visit and no new contract. An online extension via Kaspi takes a couple of minutes — if you realize you won't make it, extending is cheaper than losing your item.
Buyout without return: how it works
Buyout without redemption at Topcash is processed under a purchase and sale agreement: no interest and no terms, with a payout of about 10% more than the loan amount (for cars — 1.25 times). Here's how it works: you come with your national ID, the appraiser records the condition, and the payout is calculated from the market value — we check it against Kaspi Magazin and OLX.kz for electronics, and Kolesa.kz for cars. For a Rolex Datejust 41 with a loan of 2 100 000 ₸, the buyout payout will be about 2 310 000 ₸. This option is better if you definitely don't plan to redeem the item: you get more money upfront and don't pay interest for days you never intended to use.
Conclusion
We've put together five benchmarks that separate a transparent deal from an unpleasant surprise: from the price per gram to storage conditions and branch hours.
Key takeaways
- Calculate the price per gram, not "from … ₸": the table by purity 375–999 shows the real amount before your visit, not a bait price in the ad.
- Check the APR and the rate in the contract: 0.19–0.25% per day and a one-time repayment with no payment schedule — a clear model with no hidden fees.
- Check the opening hours: a 24/7 branch covers the "money at night" scenarios, on weekends and holidays when banks are closed.
- Compare a loan and a sale right away: the difference is about 10% in favor of selling, but a loan keeps the item and the right to redeem any day.
- Look at storage and insurance: a safe, sealing with the client's signature, and collateral insurance are basic signs of a reliable branch, not a bonus.