Name * First Name Last Name Email * Phone (###) ### #### Message * Thank you! Are you among the many who have been captivated by the allure of weighted silver? Perhaps you've inherited a set of candelabras that seem to promise a treasure trove of precious metal, or maybe you're considering recycling your silverware for some extra cash. Whatever your situation, it's essential to understand the reality behind weighted silver and its value. At Specialty Metals, Smelters, and Refiners, we receive numerous inquiries from customers seeking clarity on weighted silver or Hollow Ware. While these piece ..read more

Name * First Name Last Name Email * Phone (###) ### #### Message * Thank you! In the world of precious metals, accuracy is paramount. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a newcomer to the industry, the quest for precise readings on metal composition can be fraught with challenges. One such hurdle comes in the form of X-ray guns, which, while widely used, may not always deliver the accuracy you need. At Specialty Metals, Smelters, and Refiners, we understand the frustration that comes with unreliable readings from X-ray guns. We've heard from customers all over the globe who have encountered ..read more

Precious metals can be found in old dental appliances, especially in old crowns, bridges, porcelain-to-metal facings, fillings, and gold wire. How much gold, silver and other precious metals can you find in dental scrap, and what kind of appliances should you be looking for? Let’s break it all down by looking at the precious metals that have been used to make dental appliances. Gold Gold is found in crowns, bridges, fillings, inlays, and in gold wire that is used to attach bridges and other appliances to surrounding teeth. The amount of gold in these materials can vary depending on the alloy u ..read more

With high palladium trading prices, now is a good time to liquidate your palladium scrap holdings.  Demand is high. Because palladium is a secondary product that is recovered from platinum and nickel mining, miners have limited ability to increase palladium output in response to rising prices.  And that shortfall, which creates a need for palladium that has been recovered from scrap,  should continue. South Africa, which produces about 40% of the world’s supply of new palladium, reports that its output of platinum group metals from mines, including palladium, has fallen by about ..read more

“What’s the most convenient place near me to sell my scrap gold?” is a question people often ask. They are looking for a place to sell their old jewelry and all kinds of scrap gold that is . . .  Located close to home Pays cash on the spot for what they have to sell Pays a fair price that reflects what their scrap gold is really worth at current trading prices Is an honest, reputable business, although truth to tell, many people don’t care as long as they walk away with cash in their pocket Offers a degree of anonymity so that their friends and family members don’t know they are ..read more

It’s been a long while since we wrote an advisory about investing in gold-plated tableware. So . . . why should we write about it again? The simple reason is that the price of gold is high now. . . and that means this is a good time to think again about investing in gold-plated knives, forks, and spoons.  The Extra Value of a Luxury Item When  it comes to the world of tableware, discerning collectors and savvy investors recognize that not all utensils are created equal. Sterling silver and silver-plated pieces dominate the landscape, but there exists a rare and intriguing category ..read more

Are coins and bullion bars good investments? In today’s post, you will learn what you need to know to make a good decision about whether to sink your money into these popular investments.  What Kinds of Coins and Bars Are Available? There are several options available for investment. Let’s explore. Gold Bullion Investments Coins: These are physical precious metal coins, typically struck by sovereign government mints. They derive their value primarily from their melt value. Examples include the American Gold Eagle, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and the South African Krugerr ..read more

The platinum group metals - platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium look pretty much the same. They are all bright, shiny white metals that do not tarnish. And if you’re dealing with platinum group metal scrap – the stuff that is left over after different industrial processes – it all looks pretty much the same.  So how can you tell the difference between them? But before we answer that question, let’s answer a slightly different one . . .   Why should you want to tell the difference between Platinum Group Metals? The answer to that question is simple. You want to b ..read more

Have you noticed a big change in computers over the last few years? We’re not talking about the fact that DVD/CD drives have disappeared from most of them – even though that is true. Nor are we talking about the fact that there is no longer a place to plug in an ethernet cable.  No, we are talking about the fact that on most computers, solid-state hard drives have replaced those old hard drives that stored data on spinning disks. There are many advantages to storing data on solid-state drives, including . . .  Solid state drives are much less likely to fail because they have no mo ..read more

If you read this blog regularly – and we believe you should – you probably think you know everything about precious metals.  Well maybe you do . . . and maybe you don’t! In our post today, we are going to delve into some of the most common misconceptions about your favorite precious metals – platinum, gold, and silver.  We hope you enjoy today’s post and learn a few things you didn’t know before. Common Misconceptions about Platinum Group Metals and Platinum Scrap  Platinum group metals (PGMs) are a family of six metallic elements that share similar physical and chemical pr ..read more