Gold Refineries that Buy from the Public — Reclaim, Recycle, and Sell your Precious Metal Scrap (2024)

The question that we used for the headline of today’s post – “Should You Be Looking for Gold Refineries that Buy from the Public?” – is an interesting one to consider.

It is interesting because, in fact, you should not be looking for a gold refinery that buys your scrap, for a very simple reason . . .

If you sell unrefined scrap, you are generally giving away some of its value.

A Story that Illustrates the Point

A man – let’s call him Paul for the purposes of this story – goes into a jewelry manufacturer that is going out of business. He buys up a mixed lot of silver and gold scrap, including unused silver soldering supplies and scrap, a bunch of “bits and pieces” of gold-plated chains, and even some soldering flux that contained silver powder. He paid $50.00 for all that material.

Paul then sold all his stuff to a precious metals refinery for $75.00 and thought he had done pretty well. Hey, at least he had made a profit, right? So he “walked away whistling” and reinvested his money in more precious metal scrap.

So, what did our friend Paul do wrong? The fact is, he would have done much better if he had not sold his scrap for one price as a lot, but if he had continued to own it all until it was recycled by a precious metals refinery like Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners. We would have tested his scrap for him, told him its market value of the gold and silver it contained, then refined his scrap and bought those metals from him for their full market price.

How much would that have been? Unfortunately, we do not know exactly, because we were not part of Paul’s deal and we did not test his batch of scrap. But we would not be surprised if we might have been able to pay Paul more than $100 for what he had – and perhaps a good deal more.

The Difference Is . . .

If you’re in a hurry and you sell precious metal scrap to a refinery, they will pay you a low price, recover the precious metals it contained, and then make more money by selling those metals at market prices.

Our question to you is, shouldn’t you, and not someone else, recoup the full value of the scrap you own?

And by the Way . . .

Paul’s story illustrates why we are so bullish on investing in scrap instead of bullion and coins. Why are we bullish? It’s because if you buy scrap. it is often possible to buy precious metals for a price that is a fraction of their value on the trading floor.

If you buy a gold coin for $200, for example, it will contain almost exactly $200 worth of gold. But it is often possible to pay $200 for a batch of used thermocouples or bench sweepings from a jewelry factory (just two examples), have us test it for you, and then learn that your scrap is worth considerably more than you paid for it. Your $200 batch of scrap could be worth $250, $400, or even more.

Want to know why we are a better choice than a gold refinery that will make you a casual, unverified offer to buy the scrap you own? Then call us at 800-426-2344 so we can explain.

Gold Refineries that Buy from the Public — Reclaim, Recycle, and Sell your Precious Metal Scrap (2024)

FAQs

How much do refineries pay for gold? ›

Scrap Gold: Karat or PurityPrice Paid Refining Lots
18k Gold, 75% PureUp to: $47.26 / gram, $1,469.99 / ozt
Gold Nuggets, Placer Gold, 90% PureUp to: $56.71 / gram, $1,763.99 / ozt
22k Gold, 91.7% PureUp to: $57.78 / gram, $1,797.31 / ozt
24k Gold, 99.9% PureUp to: $62.95 / gram, $1,958.03 / ozt
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Can I sell my gold directly to a refinery? ›

If you sell your items straight to a refinery you are able to cut out the middle-man and get paid much more for your gold. Precious metals refineries are definitely the best place to sell gold and Cascade Refining is indeed an actual refinery.

Do gold refineries buy gold? ›

We buy and refine gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals. Cut out the middle-man and sell directly to the refinery.

Can you make money refining gold? ›

Gold refineries are necessary for providing people with the fine jewelry they know and love. You can start your own gold refining business with the right supplies, tools, and chemicals. The jewelry industry has high demand, which makes gold refinery a business worth getting into.

How much is gold going for an ounce? ›

$ 1,969.63

Can you refine scrap gold? ›

There are two main methods of refining scrap gold; melting or chemicals. Traditional methods used centuries ago can still be used today, but the process of refining gold is difficult and can be dangerous. If processed incorrectly the gold could be spoiled, while potentially putting property or people at risk.

How much gold can I sell without reporting? ›

For example, if you sell more than $10,000 worth of precious metals to a dealer, the dealer must file a Form 8300 with the IRS. This form reports cash transactions over $10,000 and is used to combat money laundering and other illegal activities.

What is the easiest way to sell gold? ›

The best way to sell your gold is online through a reputable buyer, as you'll get a better price than you would selling through a local pawn shop or jewelry store.
...
The Best Places to Sell Gold for Cash
  • Selling Gold Online.
  • Selling Gold Bullion Coins or Bars Online.
  • Pawn Shops Near You That Buy Gold.
  • Local Jewelry Stores.

Who is the largest purchaser of gold? ›

Turkey bought 23 tonnes of gold in January, making it the biggest buyer of the precious metal among central banks globally over the period. The country now holds 565 tonnes of gold, the highest level on record, according to data from the World Gold Council.

Where can I buy gold to sell for profit? ›

You can purchase gold bullion in a number of ways: through an online dealer such as APMEX or JM Bullion, or even a local dealer or collector. A pawn shop may also sell gold. Note gold's spot price – the price per ounce right now in the market – as you're buying, so that you can make a fair deal.

Who is the biggest gold refiner? ›

Valcambi
FormerlyValori & Cambi
TypeS.A. (corporation)
IndustryRefining
FoundedBalerna, Switzerland (May 15, 1961)
HeadquartersBalerna , Switzerland
7 more rows

Can you purify scrap gold? ›

Using Acid

This is the most common method to purify gold. In this method, strong acids are used as a means of dissolving impurities. Hydrochloric acid and nitric acid are the acids used in this process. When gold is added to the solution containing the acids, impurities separate from the gold.

Can you make money buying scrap gold? ›

It is the most preferred precious metal for investment and acts as a hedge against inflation. Whether a freshly minted coin or old scrap jewelry, scrap gold always has value. Many people make a decent profit by dealing in scrap gold. It is a lucrative business that entices many.

Why is it so hard to extract gold? ›

Certain contaminants in ores can interfere with the extractability of gold by cyanide. These interfering agents are called "preg-robbing ores". For example, gold can bind tightly to carbon, resisting normal cyanide extraction.

Where can I sell my gold and not get ripped off? ›

Reputable jewelers will give you fair market value for your gold and be open and honest throughout the process of selling. We recommend shopping and selling at jewelry store that is a member of a professional trade association, like Jewelers of America.

What is the color of raw gold? ›

The color of pure Gold is bright golden yellow, but the greater the silver content, the whiter its color is. Much of the gold mined is actually from gold ore rather then actual Gold specimens. The ore is often brown, iron-stained rock or massive white Quartz, and usually contains only minute traces of gold.

What kind of gold Cannot be confiscated? ›

As collectibles, rare coins do not fall within the provisions permitting confiscation. No federal law or Treasury department regulation supports these contentions. The myth that specific types of gold coins are “not confiscateable” stems from the Executive Order that President Roosevelt issued in 1933 calling in gold.

How much is 1 lb of gold worth? ›

The current gold price per pound as of 2022 is $22,372.00.

The type of gold you are purchasing, the karat rating, and the form of gold (such as bullion or scrap) all affect the price you pay. In addition, where you buy from will also have a significant bearing on how much you pay for your gold.

How much is 1 ounce of gold worth in pounds? ›

Gold Price per Ounce
Current Price£1,618.00$2,016.94
Month High£1,635.66$2,048.97
Month Low£1,581.52$1,950.35
Month Change£+22.94 (+1.44%)$53.94 (2.75%)

What is the highest price of gold in history? ›

Historically, Gold reached an all time high of 2088 in May of 2023. Gold - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on May of 2023.

Can you remove other metals from gold? ›

The metals are separated by distillation. Cupellation removes gold and silver from mixtures containing lead and other metals, but silver cannot be separated from gold by this process alone.

What kind of acid do I use to test gold? ›

The purer the gold, the stronger the acid required to dissolve it. Measured strengths of nitric acid are used to test for 14k and lower. Aqua regia, a mixture of one part nitric acid and three parts hydrochloric acid, is used to test higher karat purity through the process of comparison and elimination.

Can you melt different karats of gold together? ›

Q: Can I mix different colors or karats of gold? A: Different colors need to be cast separately. Karats can be mixed, but this will result in an alloy which is an odd karat.

How does the IRS know if you sell gold? ›

Form 1099-B for Reporting Precious Metal Transactions to the IRS. The 1099 series is a set of forms used to report any profits made by non-corporate sellers. They allow the IRS to prevent many instances of tax evasion. Keeping track of individuals who may be selling items as a source of income is one key focus.

How much gold can you legally own in the US? ›

Physical gold. According to the CBDT's most recent circular, men, regardless of marital status, are only allowed to possess 100 g of real gold in the form of jewelry and ornaments. Married women are allowed to possess 500 g, unmarried women 250 g, and men 500 g.

Is it illegal to own too much gold? ›

The limitation on gold ownership in the United States was repealed after President Gerald Ford signed a bill legalizing private ownership of gold coins, bars, and certificates by an Act of Congress, codified in Pub. L. 93–373, which went into effect December 31, 1974.

Are you taxed on selling gold? ›

And since gold is an investment asset, when you sell your gold and make a profit it is taxed as capital gains. Though, depending on how you held your gold, you will either have to pay taxes at the ordinary capital gains rate or at a general rate of 28%.

How much is 1 gram of gold worth? ›

Live Gold Spot Price. Price Charts per Ounce/Gram.
...
Monex Live Gold Spot Prices.
Gold Spot PricesTodayChange
Gold Prices Per Gram$63.95-0.23
Gold Prices Per Kilo$63,946.35-225.05
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How much is a 14K gold ring worth in scrap? ›

Today's Gold Prices
Per Gram
10K$25.91
14K$35.91
18K$46.60
1 more row

Who is buying gold right now? ›

Countries Are Buying Up Gold

The Gleasons are betting the future is golden. After all, countries like Turkey, China, Russia and Poland are reportedly buying up huge amounts of gold. They're also worried about inflation and geopolitical conflict.

Who is buying all the gold? ›

The countries reporting the largest purchases in the first two months were Singapore (51.4 tonnes), Turkey (45.5 tonnes), China (39.8 tonnes), Russia (31.1 tonnes) and India (2.8 tonnes).

What person owns the most gold in the United States? ›

The largest single owner of gold on the planet is the U.S. government. At last count, Uncle Sam had 8,133.5 tons of gold (260 million ounces) stashed in vaults around the country like Fort Knox, which holds 147.3 million ounces.

What is the smartest way to buy gold? ›

Investing in a gold stock, ETF or mutual fund is often the best way to get exposure to gold in your portfolio. In order to buy a gold stock or fund, you'll need a brokerage account, which you can open with an online broker (here's a step-by-step guide to opening a brokerage account).

Can I buy gold and sell it immediately? ›

Conclusion. Buying or investing in digital gold as well as selling digital gold is very easy and can be done on platforms like Paytm who offers the service of digital gold. You can buy or sell your digital gold immediately and whenever you want with the help of a few simple steps.

Which country has the purest gold in the world? ›

The country with the purest gold in the world is Switzerland, a country known for paying attention to quality. Below, the precious metals experts from First National Bullion and Coin, the best place to buy gold in Scottsdale, explain why this particular country has an affinity for pure gold.

What is the best gold in the world? ›

The highest karat of gold is 24K gold. 24 karat gold is 100% pure and doesn't contain any other metals, making it the purest gold available. This means that it has zero impurities and is usually softer than lower karats—10K and 14K. There are many different karat levels of gold.

Which gold refinery is best in the world? ›

As the country's only refinery with LBMA accreditation for both gold and silver, MMTC-PAMP maintains the highest global standards for refined gold products.

What can destroy pure gold? ›

The only way gold could truly be destroyed is through nuclear reactions. However, there does exist a way to dissolve gold using “Aqua Regia,” which is a mix of hydrochloric and nitric acids.

How do you make gold heavier? ›

Author's Answer: Platers use the term “thickness” as opposed to “heavy.” To get a thicker plating (ie: heavy layer of gold) you simply plate the parts longer. If you leave something in the plating bath for five minutes as opposed to one minute you will get a thicker deposit of gold.

What do jewelers do with gold dust? ›

After collecting the dust, the gold can be processed to transform it into usable material. You can either use this material, much like other scraps or sell this gold to bring in more cash into your workshop.

Does gold stick to magnet? ›

What to do: Hold the magnet up to the gold. If it's real gold it will not stick to the magnet. (Fun fact: Real gold is not magnetic.) Fake gold, on the other hand, will stick to the magnet.

What rocks are gold found in? ›

Gold is found in Archean (rocks older than 2.5 billion years) greenstone belts in Australia, southern Africa, and Canada. Greenstone belts are volcanic-sedimentary sequences, which include ultramafic rocks, dolerite, basalt, chert, sandstone, shale, tuff, banded iron-formation and other rock types.

What rocks have gold in them? ›

In auriferous quartz lodes the minerals most commonly associated with gold are iron and copper pyrites, zinc blende, galena, and tetradymite. Tellurides of gold are very widely distributed. Other minerals occurring with gold are tourmaline, calcite, uranium ochre, roscoelite, vanadinite, crocoite, wollastonite, gypsum.

What do refineries do with gold? ›

A gold refinery is the place where gold is separated from other metals or residues. In other words, it is where it gets refined. These companies generally work with scrap precious metals, and they recycle them through the process of refining, separating them into their pure forms, and repurposing them.

What percentage do gold dealers take? ›

Usually, when you decide to buy gold, you go to a bullion dealer. Above the spot price*, the premium* range can vary from 2 to 20% depending on the brands and the type or collection of your coins, ingots, or bars. This means that the bullion dealer makes two to twenty percent gross margin.

How much is a gram of gold worth? ›

Sign in or Register Now
USDEUR
Gold$2,050.06€1,851.00
Silver$25.59€23.11
Platinum$1,056€953.57

How much gold is lost in refining? ›

Gold and Silver Refining Results

Typical losses from refining gold are 1%-2.5% from melt or mass losses and another 1.5%-2.5% on assay or undercarat losses. Typical losses from refining silver are 2%-4.5% from melt or mass losses and another 2.5%-7.5% on assay or undercarat losses.

Who do gold refiners sell to? ›

Once the gold is refined, ownership is often transferred to gold bullion banks.

How do you purify scrap gold? ›

Using Acid

This is the most common method to purify gold. In this method, strong acids are used as a means of dissolving impurities. Hydrochloric acid and nitric acid are the acids used in this process. When gold is added to the solution containing the acids, impurities separate from the gold.

Who are the largest gold refineries in the US? ›

United is the largest US-owned full service primary refiner for GOLD, SILVER, PLATINUM, and PALLADIUM in the nation.

How much gold can I sell without reporting to IRS? ›

For example, if you sell more than $10,000 worth of precious metals to a dealer, the dealer must file a Form 8300 with the IRS. This form reports cash transactions over $10,000 and is used to combat money laundering and other illegal activities.

How do scrap gold buyers make money? ›

There are two main places that buy scrap gold: dealers and refiners. Dealers are middlemen who buy gold and sell it to refineries, but you can avoid their fees by selling to the refiner directly. Refiners are those cash for gold companies we've all seen on television, offering to buy scrap and unwanted gold.

How much is 1 gram gold in us? ›

Today's Gold Price in US = 66.12575 USD / 1 Gram.

How much is 1 gram of gold in USA? ›

Price Charts per Ounce/Gram.
...
Monex Live Gold Spot Prices.
Gold Spot PricesTodayChange
Gold Prices Per Gram$63.95-0.23
Gold Prices Per Kilo$63,946.35-225.05
1 more row

How do you remove other metals from gold? ›

The metals are separated by distillation. Cupellation removes gold and silver from mixtures containing lead and other metals, but silver cannot be separated from gold by this process alone.

What acid do you use to test for gold? ›

The purer the gold, the stronger the acid required to dissolve it. Measured strengths of nitric acid are used to test for 14k and lower. Aqua regia, a mixture of one part nitric acid and three parts hydrochloric acid, is used to test higher karat purity through the process of comparison and elimination.

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