Step one: weigh it
Weigh your gold in grams and note the carat of each piece. Jewellers will weigh items free of charge. Keep 24ct, 22ct, 18ct and 9ct pieces separate, because purity changes the value.
Step two: value it
Use the current market price per gram for the relevant purity. Scrap or resale value is normally used rather than retail replacement price, since you are valuing the metal you own.
Step three: apply 2.5 per cent
Example: 40 grams of 22ct gold at 60 pounds per gram is 2,400 pounds. Zakat due is 60 pounds.
Add this to your other zakatable assets before checking against nisab.
Worn jewellery
The Hanafi position is that all gold and silver is zakatable, including jewellery in regular use. Some other schools exempt jewellery worn routinely. Follow the position you normally follow; if in doubt, paying is the safer course.
Frequently asked questions
Is zakat due on diamonds and gemstones?
No, precious stones are not zakatable unless they are held as trading stock. Only the gold or silver in a piece is counted.
What about gold ETFs or digital gold?
Yes, these are zakatable at their market value on your zakat date.
Work out your zakat
Our calculator applies nisab and the 2.5 per cent rate for you, including gold, savings and shares.
Open the zakat calculator