The concept of dental crowns dates all the way back to the ancient Romans, and using crowns for tooth repair remains one of the most common dental procedures today. In fact, single crown placement is the most common restorative procedure performed by dentists in the United States! Dental crowns have many uses, such as restoring the shape, size, strength and/or appearance of a tooth. Crowns can support dental bridges, repair broken teeth, and protect weak or damaged teeth – especially after procedures like root canals. Dental technology has made tremendous advancements over the years. Many of t ..read more

Gold has been around since the dawn of time, playing a major role in shaping human civilizations and economies worldwide. Historians generally agree that gold was one of the first metals to be discovered and used by humans, along with silver and copper. Hieroglyphs describing gold have been found from as early as 2600 BC. We know that gold was discovered thousands of years ago, but it’s hard for historians to pinpoint the discovery to one specific civilization or point in time. It likely occurred simultaneously in several different parts of the world. The mining and use of gold can be traced b ..read more

Have you ever considered investing in gold bullion? As you may know, gold holds timeless value and can be a great addition to your portfolio. Read on to learn about different types of bullion and the pros and cons of each. We also have some pro tips for when you’re ready to sell. Investing in Bullion Gold has been acherished commodity since ancient times, thanks to its intrinsic value and limited supply. This precious metal has long been renowned as a hedge against inflation and a safe haven during times of economic uncertainty. Historically, precious metals like gold and silver have retained ..read more

Chances are you’ve heard the term “14 karat gold” in reference to gold jewelry. But what exactly is 14 karat gold? How can you tell if your jewelry is 14 karat gold? How much is it worth, and are certain types of 14k jewelry more valuable than others? Let’s find out. Karats and Purity First thing’s first – a quick rundown on karats. A karat is a unit of measurement used to indicate the amount of gold in an item, often abbreviated as “k” or “kt.” Pure gold is 24 karats, or 24 parts gold out of a total of 24 parts. Lower karat numbers mean that an item has a lower proportion of gold, with the r ..read more

As a precious metals refiner, our clients often ask us about best practices for when someone inherits gold, silver, or other precious metals. In fact, so many people have asked what to do with gold or silver coins, bullion, or even old dental gold that we decided a blog post was in order.  Read on to learn about your options, so you can make well-informed choices as you navigate selling your inherited precious metals. Should I sell my inherited gold? The first step in choosing the best course of action when dealing with inherited precious metals is deciding if you want to keep or sell yo ..read more

Wowza! Designs for the 2024 Olympic Games medals have been revealed! As precious metal enthusiasts, the Garfield team was excited to see what Paris 2024 came up with, and we think that this summer’s Olympic medals may be some of the best yet. The design is symbolic and unique, and, by incorporating recycled materials, is consistent with current trends in gold and silver jewelry. What’s more, this year’s Olympic champions will take home a piece of Paris itself, as each medal will include 18 grams of iron from the Eiffel Tower!  Where’s that metal coming from? Glad you asked. Since its orig ..read more

Palladium isn’t a precious metal the average consumer thinks about much. But make no mistake, it is all around us and we use it every day. Despite its wide-use across numerous industrial and medical applications and products, palladium flies under the radar. Why doesn’t it get as many headlines as its more famous fellow precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum? And if it’s so popular, where can it be found? At a glance, palladium can easily be misidentified as silver or platinum as it has a classic metallic, “silvery” aesthetic – a lot of people that have palladium jewelry don’t even r ..read more

For the thirteenth straight year, Garfield Refining has been named North America’s “Best Dental Scrap Refiner” by Dentaltown Magazine. Founded in 1892, Garfield Refining is a family-owned precious metal refinery in Northeast Philadelphia serving dental professionals in the United States and Canada. 13 Years of Excellence It wasn’t by a stroke of luck that Garfield Refining received “Best Dental Refiner” for the 13th year in a row. Dentists, dental labs, and other dental professionals continue to choose Garfield year after year because of its fast, secure, and reliable service. This Townie awar ..read more

Have you stumbled upon a forgotten stash of broken gold jewelry, dental fillings, or mismatched earrings that are just gathering dust? Well, guess what. That seemingly useless pile of gold scrap could actually fetch you some extra cash! Now, you might be wondering, “How on earth do I sell this gold scrap?” Don’t worry, in this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of easily turning your gold scrap into shiny profit. Gather and Sort Your Gold Scrap First, it’s time to start your treasure hunt—check the bottom of your jewelry box, that hidden drawer, or even your grandma’s attic for any gold sc ..read more

You might have an older relative in your family who’s known for having many of the family heirlooms, including the passed-down set of sterling silver dining ware that’s over 100 years old. When that antique silver dining set makes an appearance, have you noticed a slight brown hue to it? Maybe you’ve even been asked to polish the silver to make it shiny again. This type of silver, sterling silver, tarnishes because the silver alloy reacts to sulfur-containing compounds in the air, causing it to corrode and create silver sulfide. It’s only natural for this silver alloy to corrode, so don’t be ..read more