Silver Weight Units Explained
Troy Ounce vs. Regular Ounce
The precious metals industry uses troy ounces (31.1035g), which are heavier than standard avoirdupois ounces (28.3495g). When you see "silver price per ounce," it always means per troy ounce.
Pennyweight (dwt)
Jewelers often weigh items in pennyweight. There are 20 pennyweight in one troy ounce. One dwt equals approximately 1.555 grams.
Tola
The tola is used in South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) for precious metals trading. One tola = 11.6638 grams.
Why Weight Units Matter
When selling silver, always confirm which unit the buyer is using. A "per ounce" offer in troy ounces is worth about 10% more than in regular ounces. This is a common source of confusion.
Quick Reference Table
| Unit | Abbreviation | Grams | Troy Ounces |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gram | g | 1.000 | 0.0322 |
| 1 Troy Ounce | oz t | 31.1035 | 1.000 |
| 1 Pennyweight | dwt | 1.5552 | 0.0500 |
| 1 Kilogram | kg | 1,000 | 32.1507 |
| 1 Tola | tola | 11.6638 | 0.3750 |
| 1 Avoirdupois Oz | oz | 28.3495 | 0.9115 |