The Comprehensive Guide to Gold Jewelry Valuation & Traditional Units
Master the mathematics of Vori, Anna, Roti, Karat purity ratings, making charges, sales tax (VAT), and gold price calculation.
Understanding Gold Valuation & Retail Receipts
Calculating the retail price of physical gold jewelry requires combining raw material spot pricing with manufacturing charges and government sales tax. Unlike standardized financial bullion (which trades purely at melt value), consumer jewelry receipts breakdown into three distinct financial components:
Total Paid Price = (Gold Rate per Vori à Gross Weight in Vori) + Making Charge (Wages) + Government VAT
Traditional South Asian Gold Weight Units: Vori, Anna, Roti & Point
In South Asian and Middle Eastern gold trading, weights are traditionally quoted in Vori (or Tola), Anna, Roti, and Point:
1 Vori (Tola): Equals exactly 16 Annas or 11.664 Grams.
Gold purity is measured in 24ths (Karats) or parts per thousand (Fineness):
đ 22 Karat (91.6% Pure / 916 Fineness)
The international gold standard for bridal necklaces, bangles, and heavy ornaments. Alloyed with 8.4% copper/silver for strength.
đ 18 Karat (75.0% Pure / 750 Fineness)
Highly durable alloy used for diamond settings, engagement rings, and luxury watches.
Gold Pricing FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Gold Pricing & Karat Value
Learn how gold purity (24K, 22K, 18K), making charges, wastage, and traditional units (Vori, Grams) affect total gold price.
The total retail price of gold jewelry is calculated using the formula: Total Paid Price = (Gold Rate per Vori à Gross Weight in Vori) + Making Charge (Wages) + Government VAT.
In traditional South Asian gold trading: 1 Vori = 16 Annas = 11.664 Grams; 1 Anna = 6 Rotis; 1 Roti = 10 Points. Therefore, 1 Vori equals 96 Rotis or 960 Points.
Karat (K) measures gold purity. 24K is 99.9% pure gold; 22K is 91.6% pure gold (alloyed with 8.4% copper/zinc for strength); 21K is 87.5% pure gold; and 18K is 75.0% pure gold. 22K is the standard for high-end bridal jewelry.
Making charge (or labor wage) is the fee charged by goldsmiths and jewelers for crafting, soldering, polishing, and setting stones in raw gold metal into finished ornaments. It is charged per vori or as a fixed item fee.
Government VAT on retail gold sales is a percentage of the combined base gold price plus making charges (defaults to 0% if tax is included or exempt).
One standard metric Tola equals 11.6638038 grams (commonly rounded to 11.66 grams), which is virtually identical to 1 traditional Vori (11.664 grams).
One international Troy Ounce equals 31.1034768 grams, which is equivalent to approximately 2.666 Vori.
18K white or rose gold contains the exact same 75% pure gold content as 18K yellow gold. Calculate the base gold weight value using 18K rates, then add specialized plating or casting making charges.
Traditional or Sanatani gold refers to antique inherited gold crafted before standardized hallmarking. It generally tests between 14K and 16K purity (approx 60-70% gold content).
Hallmark certification laser-engraves official purity codes inside jewelry: 916 for 22K, 875 for 21K, and 750 for 18K, along with the jeweler's registered hallmark stamp.
Gold rates fluctuate continuously during trading hours on international commodities exchanges (COMEX/LBMA) based on global supply, inflation rates, central bank reserves, and USD currency values.
No. Reputable jewelers must weigh stones separately. Gemstone or diamond weight should be deducted from total gross weight so you only pay gold prices for actual metal mass.
Yes. EZCalc operates with 100% client-side privacy compliance. All calculations run strictly inside your web browser. No personal budget or gold weight parameters are ever logged or transmitted.
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