GUIDES
Gold passbook vs jewelry gold prices
Last updated
Searches for a Taiwan gold passbook often ask whether it is the same number as a jewelry board or today’s theoretical gold price. It is not. A Bank of Taiwan gold passbook is an account product quoted per gram, with the bank’s own bid and offer. This site’s figure is a COMEX reference times Bank of Taiwan USD spot-sell. Units, trade direction and whether a bank spread is included all differ. This page explains the comparison only — it does not supply or invent passbook or shop trade prices.
Three prices, three jobs
A gold passbook is a bank product. Typical columns are the bank’s selling price (you buy from the bank) and buying price (you sell to the bank), usually in TWD per gram. Minimum size, physical withdrawal and fees follow the bank’s current rules. This site does not list those rules or fees. A listed gold ETF is a fund share in a brokerage account, not this passbook. We do not invent a fund NAV; that comparison is on the gold ETF guide.
Jewelry shops sell ornaments or bars, often per Taiwan qian, and selling prices may include making charges and brand. Recycling is the opposite direction. Our theoretical price is COMEX (or a public spot fallback) times Bank of Taiwan USD spot-sell, then TWD per gram or per qian (1 qian = 3.75 g). That uses the bank’s dollar FX rate, not the bank’s gold-passbook board.
Why the numbers disagree
A passbook quote already includes the bank’s spread and its own timestamp. The theoretical index deliberately excludes product spread, making, tax and fees. It only answers where a public international reference lands in TWD. They are not the same board.
Passbook and theory can diverge even when international gold is flat, because FX or the bank’s spread can move. When the market is closed or a source is late, this site keeps the last valid print and labels it. We do not fill gaps to match a passbook.
Putting them on one ruler
Pick a direction first. To compare what you pay, use the bank’s selling price against a shop’s selling price or the theoretical reference. To compare what you receive, use the bank’s buying price against a recycle quote. A bank offer next to a recycle bid mixes “you buy” with “you sell.”
Then match units. Passbooks are usually per gram; jewelry is often per qian: grams × 3.75 ≈ qian, and qian ÷ 3.75 ≈ grams. See the units guide and the Taiwan qian guide. Copy passbook figures only from the bank. Estimated sell on our jewelry page (theoretical buy plus about 4%) is a jewelry-premium check, not a passbook offer and not a recycle bid.
HOW TO
Compare a gold passbook with jewelry and theory
Line up a bank passbook notice with this site’s theoretical reference without mixing trade direction or weight units. No board prices in the steps.
- Write down the directionDecide whether you are comparing a purchase from the bank or a shop, or a sale back. Keep the two directions apart.
- Use one unitConvert both sides to grams or both to qian. This site uses 1 Taiwan qian = 3.75 grams. Troy-ounce math is in the qian guide.
- Read each source on its ownCopy only the bank’s published bid or offer for the passbook. Read theory only on today’s gold or the jewelry page, and check that the page shows a last-valid print rather than a filled-in number.
- Compare the same direction onlyAfter units and direction match, making charges, brand, assay and bank fees are still outside the theoretical index. The gap is not a verdict on which is more expensive, and it is not trading advice.
Related quote pages
This page does not supply or invent Bank of Taiwan gold-passbook or jewelry trade prices. Theoretical figures are for comparison and exclude bank spread, making, tax and fees. Not investment advice. No Product/Offer.
Gold passbook FAQ
Does this site publish Bank of Taiwan gold-passbook prices?
No. We publish a theoretical index from a COMEX reference times Bank of Taiwan USD spot-sell. We do not republish or invent the bank’s passbook bid or offer. Use the bank’s own notice for those figures.
Can I compare one passbook gram with one qian directly?
Convert first. We use 1 Taiwan qian = 3.75 grams. Passbooks are usually per gram and jewelry per qian, so the amounts are not comparable until the units match.
Can I set the bank’s selling price next to a recycle quote?
Not directly. The bank’s selling price is what you pay the bank; recycling is what a shop pays you. Opposite directions. For a sale, look at the bank’s buying price or the recycling page’s theoretical estimate — still not a shop bid.
Why is the theoretical qian different from a passbook?
The theoretical qian excludes the bank’s product spread. A passbook is the bank’s own bid and offer, with its own time, spread and fees. USD market reference lives on the COMEX page and is not a passbook board.