Precious Metal Scrap Prices: Weekly Market Report (October 16-22, 2026)

Weekly Metal Price Report  |  2026-10-23 07:46:36   |   By

The weekly trend points to a shift in precious-metals demand toward gold and platinum rather than a broad-based precious-metals rally. Investors and buyers favored safe-haven and supply-supported metals, while silver faced weaker industrial-demand sentiment. 

Summary

  • Gold scrap prices advanced across purity grades

    Hallmarked and non-hallmarked gold scrap prices increased across 9K, 14K, 18K and 22K categories during the week. Stronger global bullion prices, safe-haven demand, interest-rate cut expectations and U.S. dollar movements supported the upward trend.

  • Silver scrap prices weakened across both categories

    Silver scrap prices declined by 1.61% week on week in both the hallmarked and non-hallmarked markets. The declines reflected comparatively weaker industrial-demand sentiment, contrasting with the gains recorded in gold.

  • Platinum prices recorded modest gains

    Platinum scrap prices increased by 0.06% over the reporting period. Although the gain was limited, platinum's positive performance alongside gold's advance highlighted selective strength in the North American precious-metals scrap market.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): North American precious metal scrap prices generally strengthened from October 16 to 22, 2026. Gold and platinum values rose across both hallmarked and non-hallmarked grades, while silver scrap prices declined on the ScrapMonster Price Index.

The weekly trend points to a shift in precious-metals demand toward gold and platinum rather than a broad-based precious-metals rally. Investors and buyers favored safe-haven and supply-supported metals, while silver faced weaker industrial-demand sentiment. 

Hallmarked Precious Metals Market

Hallmarked scrap gold prices rose over the past week, supported by stronger global bullion prices, safe-haven demand amid geopolitical uncertainty, interest-rate cut expectations, and U.S. dollar fluctuations.

Against this backdrop, 14K, 18K, 22K and 9K gold prices moved higher during the week, reflecting broad strength in the North American precious-metals market rather than a purely grade-specific improvement.

Fourteen-carat scrap gold prices advanced by $21.54 per ounce over the week, supported by the broader strengthening in the gold market. The 18-carat grade posted a stronger gain of $27.61 per ounce, reflecting continued upward momentum across the segment.

Meanwhile, 22-carat hallmarked gold climbed by $33.72 per pound, with higher-purity material recording notable appreciation during the week. The chart below illustrates the weekly movement in 22-carat hallmarked gold prices.

The positive trend also extended to lower-purity grades, with 9-carat scrap gold rising approximately 0.93% week on week.

The broader precious metals scrap market witnessed a mixed trend. Silver scrap prices fell 1.61% from a starting level of $44.06 per ounce, while platinum advanced 0.06% over the week.

See all Precious Metals Price Reports

Non-Hallmarked Precious Metals Market

Non-hallmarked gold scrap prices moved higher across the main purity categories during the week, supported by steady buying interest and favorable market conditions.

Fourteen-carat scrap recorded a weekly increase of $20.36 per ounce, while 18-carat and 22-carat grades gained $26.10 and $31.88 per ounce, respectively. The 9-carat segment also maintained the upward trend, posting a 0.93% week-on-week rise, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.

Silver scrap prices declined 1.61% over the week. The metal lost $0.68 per ounce from the previous week's opening price of $42.30 per ounce

Meanwhile, platinum scrap prices increased, registering a 0.06% weekly increase.

The rise in hallmarked and non-hallmarked gold and platinum scrap alongside falling hallmarked and non-hallmarked silver points to selective investor demand, with stronger safe-haven and supply-driven support for gold and platinum while silver faces weaker industrial-demand sentiment.

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