When you sell dental gold, it is often sent to a refining company, which specializes in extracting and purifying precious metals. Understanding this process can help you make more informed decisions about where and how to sell your gold.
Refining involves melting down the dental gold (or dental alloys) to separate the valuable gold from other metals like silver, palladium, or copper. This process removes the impurities and enables the refiner to recover pure gold. While gold refiners pay for the gold content in the alloy, they may also take into account the non-gold metals in the mixture. For instance, palladium or platinum, which are commonly used in dental crowns and bridges, may add extra value to your dental gold, even though they are not as valuable as gold itself.
One key factor to consider when selling to a Sell Dental Gold refiner is the refining fee. Some refiners may charge a small percentage of the sale value as a processing fee. This fee is typically a deduction from your final payment, so it’s essential to clarify this before sending your gold to ensure you know exactly what you’ll be paid.
The Difference Between Dental Gold and Regular Gold
While dental gold shares many similarities with other types of gold used in jewelry, such as being alloyed with other metals to improve strength and durability, it has a few distinct characteristics:
Alloy Composition: Dental gold is usually an alloy of gold and other precious metals like silver, palladium, and platinum. The specific mixture can vary depending on the type of dental work it was used for (e.g., crowns, bridges, or fillings). Pure gold is rarely used in dental applications because it’s too soft. For example, a common dental gold alloy might be 16-karat gold (around 66% gold) mixed with palladium and silver to add strength.
Form and Shape: Unlike gold jewelry, dental gold is generally in a fixed form, such as crowns, bridges, or fillings. These items are often customized to fit specific dental needs, meaning they may have intricate shapes or designs that don’t match traditional jewelry standards. While this makes them harder to resell in their current state, they can still be melted down for their gold content.
Lower Gold Content: Dental gold is usually not as pure as the gold used in fine jewelry, which means it may have a lower market value. However, the presence of other precious metals (like palladium) can add to its overall worth. Gold buyers will usually test the exact gold content to determine its value.
No Branding: Unlike branded jewelry, dental gold typically doesn’t carry a stamp or branding that might otherwise affect its value in the market. However, its intrinsic gold content still determines its price, regardless of any branding or design considerations.
Selling Dental Gold to Refiners vs. Scrap Gold Dealers
While gold refiners are often the go-to buyers for dental gold, there are other options, such as scrap gold dealers and local jewelry shops. Let’s compare the differences in selling to refiners versus scrap gold dealers:
Refiners
Pros: Refiners typically offer the best prices because they are focused on purifying and reselling the gold. They will assess the exact metal content and pay based on the current market value of gold and any additional metals present (e.g., platinum or palladium).
Cons: The process can take longer. After sending your gold, you’ll have to wait for the company to evaluate and test it before you receive an offer. Some refiners also charge fees for refining and shipping.
Scrap Gold Dealers
Pros: Scrap gold dealers provide fast transactions and often allow you to receive a payment immediately (in-person). Some may offer competitive prices, but keep in mind they typically pay for the raw weight and purity of the gold.
Cons: Scrap gold dealers may not give you the highest possible price for your dental gold, especially if it contains other valuable metals like platinum. Additionally, they may not offer as transparent a pricing structure as refiners.
The Role of Weight in Selling Dental Gold
When selling dental gold, the weight of the item plays a significant role in determining its value. However, since dental gold often comes in the form of crowns, fillings, or bridges, these items may not be as easy to weigh as gold coins or jewelry. If you’re dealing with dental work that’s been removed from a patient’s mouth (e.g., old crowns or fillings), be sure to weigh the gold before sending it to a buyer or refiner.
Most gold buyers and refiners will request the gross weight of your dental gold. This refers to the total weight of the dental material, including the non-gold metals. The price will then be adjusted based on the net gold weight (the percentage of gold in the alloy). To get an accurate estimate, you can either visit a local jeweler or pawnshop with a reliable scale or ask for a free online gold testing kit to test the weight yourself.
Is It Worth Repairing Dental Gold Before Selling?
A common question when selling dental gold is whether it’s worth repairing or refurbishing old dental pieces, such as crowns or fillings, before selling them. In general, dental gold is most valuable in its raw form, especially for refining purposes. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Broken or Damaged Crowns and Fillings: If your dental gold pieces are cracked or damaged, it’s unlikely that repairing them will increase their value. In fact, the cost of repair may exceed any additional value gained. These items are typically sold as scrap and melted down, so their condition doesn’t impact the price significantly.
Vintage or Collectible Pieces: If you have rare or antique dental gold with historical significance or unusual craftsmanship, it may be worth having them assessed by a specialist before selling them for scrap. Some antique dental gold, especially if it’s associated with well-known dentists or has collectible value, could fetch higher prices as a rare item. In these cases, you might want to explore selling the piece as a collector’s item rather than simply for the gold content.
Taxes and Legal Considerations When Selling Dental Gold
In many countries, the sale of precious metals like gold can have tax implications, including the potential for capital gains tax if you sell for a profit. While dental gold is generally considered scrap and may not generate significant profit, it’s important to keep records of your transaction for tax purposes, particularly if you’re selling a large quantity.
You should also ensure that the dental gold you’re selling is legally yours. If you are selling gold dental work that you inherited, it’s important to confirm that the gold does not have any legal restrictions, particularly if it’s tied to a specific ownership or inheritance agreement. Generally, the sale of personal dental work (such as old crowns or fillings) won’t raise legal issues, but you should be aware of the legal status of your gold items, especially if they have historical or collectible value.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Dental Gold Sale
Selling dental gold can be a straightforward way to get cash for old or unused dental work. By understanding how to assess its value, knowing where to sell it, and taking the right steps, you can ensure that you get a fair price for your dental materials.
The key factors to keep in mind include:
Purity: Understand the alloy composition of your dental gold and how much gold it contains.
Weight: Weigh your gold before selling to get a clear idea of its value.
Buyers: Shop around and get multiple quotes from local dealers, refiners, and online buyers.
Refining: Recognize that much of the value in dental gold comes from the refining process, and be aware of any refining or processing fees.
Legalities: Ensure that your dental gold is legally yours and keep records of your sale for tax purposes.
By researching your options, comparing offers, and understanding the refining process, you can make the most of your dental gold and ensure a fair, profitable transaction. Whether you’re cleaning out old dental work or just looking to make some extra cash, selling dental gold can be a great way to put unused materials to good use.