How much a gram of gold costs by purity: loan and sale table
The price per gram of gold at a pawnshop is always shown as two rates — for a collateral loan and for an outright sale. Below are the current values for all eight purities and a breakdown of the calculation for your item.
Table of gold price per gram by 8 purities
| Purity | Loan, ₸/g | 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 |
The difference between the columns is the buyout cost: the higher the purity, the bigger the absolute difference in tenge, so for expensive items calculate the loan scenario first, not the sale. If the hallmark is unreadable, the appraiser calculates at the average rate of 31 500 ₸/g for a loan, and the exact figure is shown by an X-ray fluorescence analyzer in front of you — no acid and no scratches.
How much a gram of 585 and 750 gold costs
The most common purity among Almaty residents is 585: the price of 585 gold is 32,100 ₸ with a loan and 35,310 ₸ when selling, while 750 pieces go at 41,200 ₸ and 45,320 ₸ respectively. These two categories cover about 70% of the pieces brought to our branches on Abylai Khan and Dostyk: wedding rings, chains, Soviet-era earrings, bracelets. The rate for 585 and 750 is recalculated daily based on quotes — before opening a shift we check them against Kaspi Magazin and OLX.kz. The gap between 585 and 750 is almost 9,000 ₸ per gram, so before your visit check the hallmark with a magnifying glass: a 10-gram piece misjudged by one purity grade means a 90,000 ₸ difference.
Step-by-step calculation of the amount for your piece
- Step 1. Find the purity by the hallmark or with an analyzer at the branch — the number is stamped on the chain clasp, the inside of the ring, or the earring hook.
- Step 2. Record the weight of the piece on certified scales in front of you, before signing the contract.
- Step 3. Deduct stones and inserts from the total weight: cubic zirconia, glass, and plastic don't count, diamonds are appraised separately.
- Step 4. Multiply the net weight by the rate per gram for your purity — an 8 g 585 chain gives 256,800 ₸ with a loan.
- Step 5. Choose the format: a collateral loan with the piece returned, or an outright sale under a purchase agreement.
- Step 6. Run both scenarios in advance: for a large stone, ask to weigh it separately — losing 2-3 g at 585 purity costs 60,000-90,000 ₸.
How we price it: purity, weight and stone deduction
The price per gram of gold is just a multiplier. The total depends on how purity is determined and how net weight is calculated. Here's our method — no acid, no scratches.
How to test gold purity with a device, not acid
At Topcash, purity is determined by an X-ray fluorescence analyzer — no acid, no scratches, and the result is visible on screen in front of the client. The device reads the surface layer composition and shows the gold content as a percentage to the nearest tenth: a ring marked 585 is confirmed as 58.5% Au, while a Soviet piece without a hallmark may show 56% or 61%. The acid method used by many buyout points leaves a dull spot on the item and gives a noticeable error on thin chains up to 1 mm thick — there the purity is "smeared" due to the small sample mass of metal. Another trap is gold-plated jewelry: the surface layer may show 585 while the inside is brass. That's why for such items we additionally check density and weight. Before selling, ask to see the analyzer screen — the number on it is your argument in the price discussion.
How weight and stones affect the final amount
We weigh the gold in front of the client and deduct all stones and inserts from the total weight — we pay only for pure gold. A ring with a 0.3 g cubic zirconia will show 5.2 g on the scale, but only 4.9 g goes into the calculation: at 32,100 ₸/g for a loan, the difference is about 9,630 ₸. Stones and inserts are deducted by actual mass — glass, cubic zirconia, enamel and pearls are counted the same way, regardless of how expensive the stone was when purchased. The scale must be verified, and the needle at zero before you place the item. A 0.3 g cubic zirconia and a diamond of the same weight are deducted from the gold equally, but the diamond can be sold separately as a stone — clarify this before signing the contract so you don't lose the second part of the value.
What we accept: jewelry, scrap, bars, dental gold
- Jewelry: rings, chains, earrings, bracelets — stones and inserts are deducted from the total weight on verified scales.
- Gold scrap: raw cutoffs and breakage without a hallmark — purity is shown by the analyzer, the rate is lower due to possible impurities.
- Bars: bank bars, usually 999 purity — go at 54,900 ₸/g as a loan, higher than any jewelry purity.
- Dental gold: crowns and dentures with palladium and silver impurities — purity is determined by the analyzer in front of the client.
- Cars: a separate auto pawnshop at 210 Dostyk Ave. — for vehicle collateral, not items.
If the gold purity is unknown or the hallmark is worn off
A hallmark wears off with use, and grandma's earrings have no marking at all. That's no reason to walk away from a deal — here's how we calculate the value in that case.
How to find out gold purity if the hallmark is worn off
If the hallmark is unreadable, we determine the gold purity with an X-ray fluorescence analyzer right at the branch — the result is visible on screen, and the procedure takes a couple of minutes. The device reads the composition of the surface layer without acid, scratches, or damage to the design, so the jewelry stays exactly as it is. At the same time, we weigh the item on scales in front of you and subtract stones and inserts from the total weight. Home methods — a magnet, iodine, vinegar — give false results on alloys: 585 gold with a palladium admixture doesn't react to a magnet, and you might wrongly conclude the item isn't gold. At Topcash, testing is done in front of you at one of 6 branches — from a ring to dental gold — and you get the purity report before signing the contract. In my opinion, the only way to find out the purity without risking a mistake is to show the item to an appraiser with a device, not guess at home.
How much does a gram of gold without a hallmark cost
Until the purity is determined, we calculate at the average rate of 31 500 ₸/g for a loan — this is a guideline, not the final amount. For comparison: 375 purity goes for 20 600 ₸/g, 585 — for 32 100 ₸/g, 750 — for 41 200 ₸/g, and 999 — for 54 900 ₸/g, so the spread between the lower and upper bounds is more than double. The average rate is favorable for purities below 585 and unfavorable for 750 and above, so if you're confident in a high purity — ask to have it tested with the analyzer right away instead of agreeing to the average. In our practice, we've seen earrings with a 375 hallmark that the device identified as 500 — the difference in price per gram reached 6 900 ₸, and the client got more than they expected from the worn marking.
Why the price at a pawnshop is lower than in a store and on the exchange
A store sells an item with a markup for the brand and the jeweler's work, while the exchange trades pure metal. A pawnshop works with scrap — we explain where the difference comes from and why it's normal.
How the value of an item differs from the value of a gram of scrap
At Kaspi Magazin you pay for an item with a 100-200% markup over the metal, while a pawnshop buys only the metal — we don't pay for the jeweler's work or the brand. A 585-purity ring weighing 4 grams costs 280 000-350 000 ₸ in a display case, even though the metal in it is worth 141 240 ₸ at our selling price, and the difference comes from casting, setting, packaging, and rent of a boutique in Mega or Dostyk Plaza. When you bring jewelry to a pawnshop, it's appraised by weight and purity: cubic zirconia inserts, enamel, and leather are subtracted from the mass, while a chain with a clasp is weighed whole, including the non-precious carabiner. If you have a designer ring from a well-known brand, selling it as scrap isn't profitable: first try selling the item on OLX.kz as jewelry, and only then take it to a pawnshop — at Topcash you can hand in an item in 15 minutes, but at the value of the metal, not the design.
Why the XAU/USD exchange quote is higher than the pawnshop price
The XAU/USD exchange quote is the value of pure 999 metal without VAT and logistics, while a pawnshop bears the costs of storage, insurance, and the risk of loan default. The spot price on the London exchange is fixed per troy ounce (31.1 grams), and converted to a gram, the difference with buying at 585 purity reaches 20-25% — at a quote of 3200 $/ounce, a gram of 999 costs about 55 000 ₸, whereas a pawnshop pays 32 100 ₸ per gram of 585 purity because of the alloy and expenses. The dollar-to-tenge rate adds another 3-5% of volatility: the exchange lives in the moment, while a pawnshop fixes the price for the day and keeps a reserve in case of a sharp jump. The difference between the exchange and a pawnshop is not a "scam" but the normal margin of a financial institution: if a pawnshop paid at the exchange rate, it would operate at a loss and couldn't maintain a safe and security.
Loan or sale: which is more profitable in your case
A loan keeps the gold with you, a sale gives more money upfront. We compare the two scenarios with numbers so you can choose consciously.
Comparison of loan and sale: scenario table
| Parameter | Collateral loan | Immediate sale |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Money + return of gold | Money, gold stays with Topcash |
| Interest | 0,19-0,25% per day | No |
| Term | 1-90 days | No |
| Result | Depends on days | +10% to the loan amount |
| Early | No penalty | — |
| Extension | Online via Kaspi | — |
With a 30-day loan at 0.22% per day, you'll pay about 6.6% of the amount, which is cheaper than 10% on a sale — but only if you're sure to buy the jewelry back on time.
When it's better to pawn and when to sell
A pawn is profitable if you plan to buy the item back within 1-90 days; a sale — if you don't need the gold and want to get the maximum upfront. A 585-purity ring of 5 grams: a loan gives 160 500 ₸, a sale — 176 550 ₸, with a 30-day loan at 0.22% the interest will be about 10 600 ₸, and the ring stays with you. 750-purity gold, using a 12-gram chain as an example: loan — 494 400 ₸, sale — 543 840 ₸, overpayment for a month — about 32 600 ₸. Early repayment without penalty, interest — only for the actual days: pawned for 90 days, bought back after 10 — you pay for 10.
Where and when: 24/7 branches and requirements
You can pawn gold at night, on weekends and without proof of income. Here's where the branches are, what to bring and how collateral storage works.
Topcash 24/7 branches in Almaty
Topcash is a network of 6 branches, all open 24/7 with no days off; the main one is at 91 Abylai Khan Ave. in the Almaly district, and the auto pawnshop is at 210 Dostyk Ave. The network launched in 2019, so there are locations in residential areas too: for residents of Auezov, Sain and Rozybakiev, the nearest branch is a 10-15 minute drive. At night and on holidays the flow of clients is lower, so paperwork can take 10 minutes instead of 15 — if your situation is urgent, this is the best time slot to visit. Check the schedule of a specific branch before you go: 24/7 hours apply at all 6 locations, but some entrances are from the courtyard side.
What documents are needed and how long the money takes
- Document: a national ID of Kazakhstan or a passport — no other papers required.
- Age: from 18, no upper limit.
- Proof of income: not needed, income is not verified.
- Credit history: not checked, no rejections based on it.
- Appraisal by photo: free, 5-10 minutes on WhatsApp using photos of the item and hallmark.
- Paperwork: about 15 minutes at the branch, including purity testing with an analyzer.
- Cash payout: cash from the till or transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk, any card in Kazakhstan.
License, storage and collateral insurance
Topcash operates under ARDFM license No. 02.26.0041.L dated 14.02.2022 for issuing microloans secured by collateral. The collateral (except cars) is stored in the pawnshop's safe and insured; we seal gold in a bag with the client's signature and return it in the same condition. Repayment is a one-time payment — at the end of the term or early on any day, interest is charged only for actual days, and there is no monthly payment schedule. Loan extension is available online: pay interest via Kaspi without visiting a branch. Before signing the contract, check the license number on the ARDFM website — it takes a minute but removes all doubts about the pawnshop's legality, especially if you're pawning gold for the first time.
Conclusion
The price per gram of gold is only the entry point to the deal. What matters next is the appraisal method, the scenario and the transparency of the procedure, not the number in the ad itself.
Key takeaways
- Look at two numbers. A pawnshop always has a loan price and a sale price — the difference between them is the buyout amount to get your jewelry back.
- Check the method. Purity must be determined with a device in front of you, weight — on scales in front of the client, stones — deducted from the weight.
- Calculate the scenario. A loan pays off if you buy back on time, a sale — if you don't need the gold; compare interest for the days with the markup on buyout.
- Check the purity in advance. If the hallmark is worn off, don't agree to an average rate blindly — ask for an analyzer test.
- Choose the 24/7 format. Pawning gold at night and without paperwork saves time in an urgent situation.
