Precious Metal Scrap Prices: Weekly Market Report (May 15-21, 2026)
Weekly Metal Price Report | 2026-05-22 08:26:52
Fourteen-carat scrap gold prices slipped by $113.01 per ounce, mirroring broader weakness in the bullion market.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): North American precious metals scrap prices, including gold, silver, and platinum across hallmarked and non-hallmarked segments, posted slight week-on-week losses on the ScrapMonster Price Index for the period from May 15 to May 21, 2026.
Hallmarked Precious Metals Market
Hallmarked scrap gold prices edged lower last week, mainly due to softer international gold futures and profit-booking by investors after recent price highs. A firmer U.S. dollar and cautious market sentiment, driven by expectations of tighter monetary policy and easing safe-haven demand, also weighed on bullion values, leading to a modest decline in scrap gold pricing on the ScrapMonster Price Index. Multiple purity grades recorded broad-based dips.
Fourteen-carat scrap gold prices slipped by $113.01 per ounce, mirroring broader weakness in the bullion market. Similarly, eighteen-carat scrap values dropped by $144.89 per ounce over the week, weighed down by sluggish market participation and subdued purchasing interest.
On a week-over-week basis, 22-carat scrap gold registered a decline of $176.96 per pound, pressured by short term cyclical factors. The accompanying chart illustrates the weekly price trend for 22-carat hallmarked gold.
Lower-purity grades tracked the downward trajectory, with 9-carat scrap gold falling approximately $72.44 per ounce compared to the previous week.
Within the broader precious metals scrap complex, silver recorded a pronounced decline of $8.38 per ounce (12.82%), closing at $57.00 per ounce. Platinum prices followed a downward path as well, posting a 7.90% week-over-week drop on the Index, reflecting softer market momentum across the precious metals recycling sector.
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Non-Hallmarked Precious Metals Market
Scrap gold prices retreated across major purity segments during the week, in line with softer bullion-market fundamentals. Fourteen-carat scrap prices decreased by $106.87 per ounce, while 18-carat and 22-carat grades recorded declines of $137.01 and $167.33 per ounce, respectively. Lower-purity 9-carat material also moved lower, registering a $68.51 per ounce (4.28%) week-on-week drop.
Platinum scrap emerged as one of the weaker performers, posting a 7.90% decline to settle at $1,411.58 per ounce by the close of the week, as indicated in the accompanying chart.
Silver scrap prices recorded a steep 12.82% weekly fall. The sharp decline in non-hallmarked silver prices last week was driven by a combination of weaker global silver spot prices, reduced industrial demand from key manufacturing sectors, and a stronger U.S. dollar that pressured precious metal valuations. Additionally, cautious investor sentiment amid uncertainty over interest rate policy and increased scrap supply entering the recycling market contributed to the downward price movement.
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Which factor had the biggest impact on North American precious metals scrap price declines last week?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What caused hallmarked scrap gold prices to decline last week?
Softer international gold futures, investor profit-booking after recent highs, a stronger U.S. dollar, and reduced safe-haven demand weighed on prices.
- Why did non-hallmarked silver prices fall sharply?
The decline was driven by weaker global silver prices, slower industrial consumption, stronger dollar pressure, cautious investor sentiment, and increased scrap market supply.
- How did platinum perform during the week?
Platinum dropped 7.90%, closing at $1,411.58 per ounce, reflecting weaker trading momentum in recycled precious metals.
