What Is a Pawn of Gold? Pawns, Grams and Prices Explained
In Sri Lanka, gold is still talked about in pawns as often as in grams. A grandmother might remember a necklace as “five pawns”, and many gold-rate boards show the price per pawn first. Here is exactly what a pawn is, where the word comes from, and how to convert between pawns, grams and rupees.
1 pawn = 8 grams of gold. A pawn is also called a sovereign or pavan. When a jeweller quotes a price “per pawn”, it is the price of 8 grams at that purity, usually 22K.
Where the pawn comes from
The pawn comes from the British gold sovereign, a coin that circulated across the British Empire, including Ceylon. A sovereign weighs just under 8 grams and is made of 22 karat gold. Over time, “a sovereign” of gold became shorthand for 8 grams of 22K, and the local names pawn and pavan stuck. The unit outlived the coin and is still used in jewellery shops across Sri Lanka and South India.
Pawns to grams
| Pawns | Grams | Typical piece |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 pawn | 4 g | A plain ring or small pendant |
| 1 pawn | 8 g | A chain or a solid bracelet |
| 2 pawns | 16 g | A detailed necklace or pair of bangles |
| 5 pawns | 40 g | A substantial bridal necklace |
| 10 pawns | 80 g | A full bridal set |
To convert yourself: grams ÷ 8 = pawns, and pawns × 8 = grams.
How to work out the price of a pawn
Multiply the day’s rate per gram by 8. In late September 2026, 22K gold was about LKR 42,378 per gram, so one pawn of 22K was about LKR 339,000. A 24K pawn cost more, because 24K is purer.
Remember that the pawn price is for raw gold. Jewellery also carries making and wastage charges and the value of any stones, so a finished piece weighing one pawn costs more than the pawn rate. Our guide to how gold jewellery prices are calculated explains the difference.
Pawn or gram: which should you use?
Both are fine as long as you compare like with like. Pawns are easy for big pieces and family conversations; grams are more precise for smaller pieces and for checking a bill. When you buy, ask for the exact weight in grams on the certificate, and convert to pawns if that is how your family thinks about gold.
Every piece in our 22K collection lists its gold weight in grams, so you can work out the pawn equivalent in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is 1 pawn of gold?
One pawn is 8 grams. It is also called a sovereign or pavan.
Why is gold measured in pawns in Sri Lanka?
The unit comes from the British gold sovereign, a 22K coin weighing just under 8 grams that circulated in Ceylon. The name stayed in use after the coin did not.
Is a pawn always 22K gold?
A pawn is a weight of 8 grams. Prices are usually quoted for 22K per pawn, but you can also see 24K pawn rates. Always check which karat a price refers to.
How much is one pawn of gold today?
Multiply today’s per-gram rate for the karat you want by 8. Rates change daily, so check the current rate before you buy.
Thinking in pawns?
Tell us how many pawns you have in mind and we will show you pieces at that weight with today’s price.
