Can You Sell Gold Nuggets and Small Bits
Dec 7, 2022
{
"Title": "Can You Sell Gold Nuggets and Small Bits? A Step-by-Step Guide",
"Date": "12/07/22",
"Content": "
Understanding How to Sell Scrap Gold, Nuggets, and Small Bits
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If you’ve collected gold nuggets, broken chains, bits of dental gold, or other small fragments of precious metal, you might be wondering whether they have any resale value. The short answer is yes: buyers typically purchase these items by weight and purity, then melt them down. To make sure you get fair value, it helps to understand how to identify, sort, test, weigh, pack, and ship them properly.
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Step 1: Identify Your Precious Metals
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Not all yellow or shiny metal is gold. Identifying whether your items are real and what purity they are is the first step in selling.
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Karat Stamps and Hallmarks
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Look for markings such as 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, or 24K for gold.
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For silver, common marks include 925, Sterling, or 800.
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Coins often have known compositions—see the U.S. Mint coin specification charts for details.
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Quick At-Home Tests
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Magnet test: Gold and silver are not magnetic. If your item sticks strongly to a magnet, it’s likely not solid precious metal.
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Visual inspection: Discoloration, worn plating, or base metal showing through are signs of plated rather than solid pieces.
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Acid testing: Affordable kits can show karat levels, but handle with care and gloves.
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Electronic testers: Non-destructive method for more precise readings.
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Keep in mind that these tools provide preliminary checks—professional evaluation and melt tests give definitive answers.
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Step 2: Special Considerations for Dental Gold and Scrap Bits
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Dental gold typically ranges between 16K–22K but may be mixed with porcelain or small steel parts. If you’re handling dental scraps:
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Remove any porcelain, if possible, but don’t risk injury if it’s fused. Dealers are used to processing mixed dental gold.
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Handle sharp or jagged remains carefully and pack securely in small containers or envelopes.
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Keep all tiny fragments together in a clearly marked bag so nothing gets lost in shipping.
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Step 3: Weighing and Understanding Value
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Value is determined by both weight and purity.
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Weigh your items using a pocket scale that measures in grams. For reference, 31.1 grams = 1 troy ounce.
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Separate pieces by karat or type (e.g., 10K in one bag, 14K in another).
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Understand melt value (what the raw gold or silver is worth if refined) versus resale value (what a buyer pays, accounting for smelting costs and profit margin).
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Expect higher payouts for higher-karat items and bulk lots compared to mixed, low-weight scraps.
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Metal Type | Common Stamp | Purity % |
|---|---|---|
10K Gold | 10K | 41.7% |
14K Gold | 14K | 58.5% |
18K Gold | 18K | 75% |
Sterling Silver | 925 / Sterling | 92.5% |
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Step 4: Preparing and Sorting
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Remove non-metal parts (stones, clasps, enamel) if it’s simple to do safely.
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Group items of similar metal and karat together.
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Label bags clearly—this makes the evaluation process easier and more accurate.
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Take photos of items and make notes with weights for your own records.
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Step 5: Packing and Mailing Safely
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Most buyers, such as International Gold & Silver, offer a free mail-in kit that includes secure packaging and insurance. If you’re mailing yourself:
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Use small zip-top bags to keep pieces together.
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Cushion the mailing envelope or box with bubble wrap.
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Ship via a trusted carrier with insurance and tracking. For USPS details, see USPS insurance services.
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Consider USPS Registered Mail for very high-value shipments.
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Step 6: The Testing Process You Can Expect
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Professional buyers check purity using non-destructive methods (electronic testers, X-ray fluorescence) and sometimes confirm with acid or melt testing. Reputable companies provide clear reports showing weight, karat, and value calculations.
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Step 7: Payment Options
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Once you accept an offer, you can typically choose how to receive funds:
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PayPal / Venmo: Fast, but may have fees.
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Zelle: Instant for many banks, with daily transfer limits.
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Cash App: Quick access, but may have deposit caps.
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ACH / Direct Deposit: Secure, usually 1–2 days.
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Check by mail: Slower, but provides a paper trail.
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Step 8: Keep Clear Records
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For transparency and personal peace of mind, keep a record of what you shipped and what you were paid.
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Photograph all items before mailing.
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Record weights and notes in a spreadsheet or a tool like GavelBase if you want a simple inventory log.
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Save shipping receipts and tracking numbers until you’ve been paid.
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Quick Checklist
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✔ Check karat stamps and hallmarks.
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✔ Use magnet, acid, or electronic test as a first check.
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✔ Weigh items by grams, separate by purity.
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✔ Safely bag and label scrap, nuggets, or dental gold.
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✔ Pack securely and use insured, trackable shipping.
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✔ Expect clear testing reports.
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✔ Choose the payment method that works best for you.
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✔ Keep photos and documentation for your records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I sell very small gold bits or flakes?
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Yes. Collect and send them together—buyers melt them with larger lots and pay based on total weight and purity.
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What about stones in jewelry?
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If stones aren’t valuable to you, leave them in. Buyers usually pay only for the metal value; some may return stones, but it depends on their process.
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Should I clean my gold or silver before mailing?
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Not necessary—cleaning won’t affect melt value, and aggressive cleaning may damage or lose small bits.
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