How much we lend per gram of gold — prices by purity and loan calculation
Gold pawnshop Almaty means a collateral loan on jewelry and scrap with up to 80% of value paid out in 15 minutes. Below are current prices per gram for eight purities and a calculation for a specific item.
Price per gram by purity — loan and buyout table
| Purity | Loan per gram | Sale per gram | Example — 3 g ring (loan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 375 | 20 600 ₸ | 22 660 ₸ | 61 800 ₸ |
| 500 | 27 500 ₸ | 30 250 ₸ | 82 500 ₸ |
| 583 | 31 900 ₸ | 35 090 ₸ | 95 700 ₸ |
| 585 | 32 100 ₸ | 35 310 ₸ | 96 300 ₸ |
| 750 | 41 200 ₸ | 45 320 ₸ | 123 600 ₸ |
| 850 | 46 700 ₸ | 51 370 ₸ | 140 100 ₸ |
| 916 | 50 300 ₸ | 55 330 ₸ | 150 900 ₸ |
| 999 | 54 900 ₸ | 60 390 ₸ | 164 700 ₸ |
The gold price at a pawnshop differs from the buyout price by about 10%: that's the fee for your item coming back to you instead of going to the smelter.
If you don't know the purity — how we calculate by average price
If the purity is unknown, we calculate by the average price of 31,500 ₸ per gram for a loan, and the exact purity is shown by an X-ray fluorescence analyzer in front of you. The hallmark on Soviet jewelry is worn off or restamped in 4 out of 10 cases, so we don't trust the tag. The device reads the alloy composition in seconds: 585 purity gives 32,100 ₸/g, 375 — 20,600 ₸/g, 999 — 54,900 ₸/g. We determine weight on certified scales, and subtract stones and inserts separately. The analyzer doesn't scratch the metal or etch it with acid — the result is visible on screen, so you can verify the figure before signing the contract.
Items with stones — how we deduct the weight of inserts
We accept gold with stones, but the weight of the inserts is deducted from the total weight — the stones themselves aren't valued as gold. A 6 g ring with a large cubic zirconia counts as 4.8 g of metal, while earrings with 12 small zircons lose 0.6–1.2 g in the calculation depending on the size. We determine the metal purity with an X-ray fluorescence analyzer and the weight on certified scales in front of you, then quote the loan amount. If the stone is expensive (a diamond from 0.3 carat, emerald, sapphire), it's sometimes better to have it removed by a jeweler beforehand and hand in only the metal — otherwise you lose grams, and the stone's value isn't counted.
Loan calculation example — 5 g, 585 purity, 30 days
A 585 purity ring weighing 5 g means 160,500 ₸ in hand (5 × 32,100 ₸): the price per gram in the table is already the loan amount, with no extra deductions. The loan term is 1 to 90 days, the rate is 0.19–0.25% per day, and there's no monthly payment schedule: repay in one go at the end of the term or early on any day. Over 30 days at 0.25% per day, interest comes to about 12,040 ₸ — roughly 172,540 ₸ total to repay. With early repayment on day 10, interest drops to 4,010 ₸, and there's no penalty for early return. You can extend the loan online — by paying the interest via Kaspi, without visiting a branch. In my view, it's better to take 30 days and repay on day 12 than to sign up for 90 right away: the interest overpayment drops 2.5 times.
Loan or buyout — which to choose and how not to lose your item
Two different products with different consequences: a loan returns the item after repayment, a buyout does not. We break down when each is worth it and what happens if you don't buy it back in time.
Loan vs buyout — comparison table
| Parameter | Collateral loan | Buyout (sell right away) |
|---|---|---|
| Return of the item | Yes, after repayment | No |
| Interest | 0.19–0.25% per day | No |
| Term | 1–90 days | No |
| Amount to receive | Up to 80% of value | about +10% to the loan amount |
| Contract | Loan | Purchase and sale |
| Early repayment | No penalty | — |
A loan is money at interest with the item returned, a buyout is an immediate sale without interest, but with a markup of about 10% on the loan amount. We offer both options: a loan contract or a purchase and sale contract, and in each case the amount is visible before signing. If the item is precious as a memory — take a loan; if it's scrap with no value, it's better to sell gold to a pawnshop for buyout and get more money in hand right away.
What happens if you don't buy back the gold in time
If the term is coming to an end, we extend the loan online via Kaspi — by paying the interest without visiting a branch, for up to 90 days in total. An extension is not a new contract or a repeat appraisal: the loan amount and the pledged items stay the same, only the end date changes. If a Kaspi payment fails or you need help with the calculation, our branches at Abylai Khan Ave., 91 and Dostyk Ave., 210 will tell you the total interest for the actual days — it depends on how many days the loan was open. An extension is cheaper than losing your item: interest for the actual days is usually less than the difference between the loan amount and the market price of the jewelry.
Can you buy back some items early
Yes, we allow you to buy back some items early — the rest stay in collateral until full repayment. The mechanics are simple: you name which items you're taking, pay interest for the actual days on those items and get them from the safe in the same sealed bag with your signature. The remaining jewelry stays in an individual cell under 24/7 video surveillance and insurance. This is handy when several pieces are pledged: first you take the most valuable one, and leave the scrap until the end of the term — interest is recalculated based on the actual days, not the full contract period.
How appraisal and paperwork work — step by step
The journey from a photo of your jewelry to money in hand takes a quarter of an hour if you come to a branch with your national ID. We break down each stage by time and explain what we don't charge a single tenge for.
Photo appraisal in WhatsApp — 5–10 minutes before your visit
We appraise gold from photos on WhatsApp in 5–10 minutes — free, before you visit a branch, so you know the approximate amount in advance. Send a photo of the whole item and a separate one of the hallmark with the purity mark — the appraiser will check the figures against the market price on Kaspi Store and OLX.kz, then give you a loan range. For 585 purity, the benchmark is 32 100 ₸ per gram, but the result depends on weight: without it, the estimate stays approximate. If the hallmark is worn off, mention it right away — then the estimate will use the average rate of 31 500 ₸ per gram before your visit. A photo appraisal commits you to nothing: you can walk away from the deal afterwards without explanation. Send a photo of the item on a scale or next to a ruler — this way the appraiser can determine the weight more accurately and you won't have to recalculate the amount on site.
Appraisal at the branch — analyzer and scales in front of you
At the branch we determine purity with an X-ray fluorescence analyzer and weigh the item on certified scales — all in front of the client, 0 ₸ commission. The device works without acid or scratches: the beam hits the metal surface and the result appears on screen within seconds. The scales show the weight in grams to the nearest hundredth; we subtract stones and inserts from the total weight because they aren't valued as gold. Rings, chains, earrings, bracelets, scrap, bars and dental gold go through the same procedure — there's no difference in approach. We hand over the money in 15 minutes in cash or by card transfer after the contract is signed. Ask to see the analyzer and scales screen — by law you have the right to see the figures before signing the contract, and it's the best way to make sure the purity wasn't understated.
Timing of paperwork and money payout
| Stage | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Appraisal by photo | 5–10 minutes | |
| Appraisal at the branch | in front of the client | branch |
| Contract paperwork | ~15 minutes | branch |
| Cash payout | immediately | cash desk |
| Card transfer | from 30 seconds | Kaspi Gold, Halyk, any KZ card |
We sign the contract after you've seen the loan amount on paper — until then, you can walk away at any moment. If you're coming at night, bring your national ID in advance — all 6 of our branches are open 24/7, but they won't start the paperwork without the document.
Documents, age, credit history — who gets approved
No bank-style checks here: proof of income and credit history are not reviewed. Here's what you need to apply and what to do if the gold came as an inheritance.
What you need to get a gold collateral loan
We issue gold collateral loans only with a national ID of the RK or a passport — from age 18, with no proof of income and no credit history check. The process takes about 15 minutes: appraisal in front of you, contract, cash or transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk, or any card in Kazakhstan. No guarantors, no collateral beyond the item, and no proof of employment — self-employed, student, or pensioner status doesn't matter here. The age threshold is 18, with no upper limit. If your ID is expired or you only have an old-style passport, check on WhatsApp in advance: some branches accept both documents, but it's better not to go in blind.
The gold isn't mine or came as an inheritance
We accept gold left as an inheritance without documents for the item itself — your national ID of the RK is enough. Rings, chains, earrings, bracelets, and scrap are appraised by gold purity and weight: purity is shown by an X-ray fluorescence analyzer without acid or scratches, and weight is recorded on certified scales in front of you. A certificate of inheritance, a store receipt, or a jeweler's tag isn't needed — almost no one keeps them anyway. And if the jewelry formally belongs to a relative, take out the loan in the owner's name: the contract is signed by the person handing over the item, and this protects both sides during any later buyout.
No credit history check — who this matters to
We don't request a credit history and don't look at existing loans — the decision is based only on the appraisal of the item. This is noticeable for those who already have installments at Kaspi, a loan at Halyk, or past delinquencies: a bank would refuse in that situation, while a buyout looks at purity and weight. The loan amount is quoted before the contract is signed, disbursement takes 15 minutes, and the term is 1 to 90 days. This doesn't mean the loan is "free": the rate is 0.19–0.25% per day and the APR is up to 69.35% — the same as any licensed pawnshop, so calculate the burden in advance.
Interest, term, early repayment, and extension
The rate, term, and repayment procedure determine the real cost of the loan. Here's how interest is calculated, why early repayment pays off here, and how to extend the contract without visiting a branch.
Rate, APR, and term — loan terms
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Rate | 0.19–0.25% per day |
| APR | up to 69.35% (up to 45 MCI) / up to 44.03% (above) |
| Term | 1–90 days |
| Extension | up to 90 days, online via Kaspi |
| Repayment | one-time, early without penalty |
| Disbursement | up to 80% of value |
| Fees | 0 ₸ |
| Documents | national ID of the RK / passport |
| Age | from 18 years old |
The APR is higher than the nominal rate because it includes all payments for the year — compare the terms of different providers by APR, not by the "daily percent".
Early repayment — interest only for actual days
We accept early repayment any day without penalty — interest is charged only for the actual days you use the loan. At a rate of 0.19–0.25% per day, a 50,000 ₸ loan at 585 purity (32,100 ₸/g) costs about 95–125 ₸ per day: over 20 days that's 1,900–2,500 ₸, not the full amount for 90 days. There's no monthly payment schedule in the contract — you repay the principal and interest in one transaction at the cash desk or by transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk. If you take 100,000 ₸ for 90 days and repay on day 20, the overpayment will be 4.5 times less than for the full term — this is the main argument against a bank schedule, where interest is often charged upfront.
Online extension via Kaspi — no branch visit
You can extend the loan online — by paying interest via Kaspi, without visiting a branch, for a total of up to 90 days. This is convenient if your salary is delayed by a few days: you pay only interest for the past period, the principal stays the same, and the jewelry remains in the safe. An extension doesn't reset the term or zero out accumulated days — it adds new ones, so the total of extensions doesn't exceed 90 days from the disbursement date. In our practice, clients most often extend the loan by 5–10 days — until the next deposit to their card. An extension doesn't reset the term but adds days: if you pay interest every 30 days, the principal stays the same and the item stays in the safe.
Storage, insurance, and trust — why Topcash
Where the gold is stored, what happens to it in case of default, and why clients trust us — the three questions most often asked before signing the contract.
How gold is stored at the pawnshop
Every item at Topcash is stored in an individual safe cell, packed in a sealed bag signed by the client, with branches under 24/7 video surveillance. The jewelry isn't tossed into a common pile or handed to third parties — it stays in the cell until the buyout day. Weight and purity are recorded in the contract in your presence, and the bag is sealed before your eyes. If you buy out part of the collateral early, the remaining items stay stored under the same terms. Your signature on the bag is your control: at buyout, check it and the seal's integrity — this rules out substitution of the item.
Collateral insurance and what happens on overdue
Every collateral at Topcash is insured — in case of loss or damage the client receives compensation, and on overdue the item doesn't disappear instantly. The contract fixes liability for safekeeping, video surveillance runs without interruption, and safe cells are opened only in the client's presence at buyout. Overdue doesn't mean automatic sale: first comes a reminder, then a grace period during which the item remains in collateral and can be bought out for the same amount. Before signing, ask about the grace period after the loan ends: it usually gives a few days to buy out without losing your right, which helps when your salary is delayed.
License, rating and why it matters
Topcash operates under ARDFM license No. 02.26.0041.L dated 14.02.2022, has a 4.9 rating from 769 reviews, and charges no fees for appraisal or paperwork. The network has been open since 2019, and today it's 6 branches, all open 24/7 including weekends — including the central one at 91 Abylai Khan Ave. and the auto pawnshop at 210 Dostyk Ave. Reviews are collected on Google, Yandex Maps, 2GIS, and the website, not on a single aggregator. The license means the rate and APR are fixed in the contract and regulated — if a company doesn't show its license, that's the first sign of hidden fees.
Where to collect the money — cash, Kaspi Gold, Halyk
| Method | Transfer time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | instantly at the till | 6 branches |
| Kaspi Gold | from 30 seconds | transfer |
| Halyk | from 30 seconds | transfer |
| Any KZ card | from 30 seconds | transfer |
A transfer is more convenient for large amounts: no need to carry cash across the city, and confirmation of deposit arrives in your banking app instantly.
Conclusion
Before signing a contract at a pawnshop, four parameters must line up: the price per gram by purity, the payout share, the full cost of the loan and the storage terms. Below is a quick filter that cuts off most unpleasant surprises.
Key takeaways
- Calculate by gram and purity. The final amount = weight × price per gram minus the weight of stones; the payout share is usually up to 80% of market value.
- Distinguish between a loan and a buyout. A loan returns the item after repayment, a buyout is an immediate sale with a markup of about 10% on the loan amount.
- Check the rate and APR. A daily percentage without APR tells you nothing: compare the full annual cost — for licensed organizations it reaches 69.35%.
- Ask about storage and insurance. A safe, a sealed bag signed by the client and collateral insurance are the basic requirements for a reliable location.
- Look for a license and reviews. A regulator's license and a rating above 4.5 on 2GIS and Google Reviews are the minimum filter that cuts off shady spots.