How to Prepare Your Jewelry Scrap for Refining To Get The Most Value
Looking for the best jewelry refinery?
If you’re a jeweler, goldsmith, or any business who regularly works with precious metals, you’re sitting on more value than you might realize—literally. From broken chains to dust on your workshop floor, your jewelry scrap can add up to significant returns when prepared correctly for refining. Here’s how to make the most of every gram.
Common Scrap Items Worth Refining
Not all that glitters is gold—but a surprising amount is. Here are common items that can and should be refined:
- Jewelry – Broken rings, chains, earrings, cufflinks, and other gold or silver pieces.
- Watches – Gold or Silver components are suitable for refining.
- Bench Sweeps – Tiny filings, dust, and small fragments that tend to accumulate on a jeweler’s bench.
- Gold or Silver Coins – Old or damaged coins can be valuable refining material.
Preparation Tips:
Proper sorting and preparation not only maximize your payout but also ensure a smoother refining process.
1. Document your Karat Purity: Since refiners pay based on metal content, noting the purities of your items gives you a clearer understanding of what you’re shipping to be refined. While reputable refiners will test and verify the materials, keeping your own records promotes trust, transparency, and confidence in the results you receive.
2. Optional Stone Recovery: If you’d like the refinery to recover your stones, notify your account executive in advance and clearly label your package. This process differs from standard karat scrap refining and may involve different timelines or costs, so clear communication is important to ensure proper handling.
3. Store Separately: To ensure accurate refining and maximum return, always keep materials separated by type. Use dedicated, clearly labeled containers or plastic bags for dust, filings, and bench sweeps, and avoid mixing them with general debris or trash. Karat scrap, low-grade material, and PGM-containing (platinum/palladium) items should also be stored separately.
4. Label, Store, and Ship: Clearly label each container with the material type and karat, and store it in a secure location. Ensure your team, especially cleaning staff, understands that this material should never be discarded.
When it’s time to ship, follow proper security measures: place your material in a container within a container or box, seal all seams with a strong packing tape, and label everything accurately. Always coordinate with your refinery to ensure secure and documented transit.
Don’t Overlook Low-Grade Material
Even your dirtiest corners can be a goldmine—literally. These items might not look valuable, but they often contain fine particles of gold or silver:
- Polishing dirt and fibers from polishing machines
- Floor sweeps and used vacuum bags
- Carpet, floor mats, and chair cushions near workbenches
- Used paper towels from cleaning tools
- HVAC and air filters in workshop spaces
Collect these items and store them in clearly labeled bags or containers. While these materials may require more processing, the yield value can surprise you over time.
Although these materials might look worthless at first glance, the truth is quite the opposite—dust, fibers, and even old, dirty carpet from a jewelry shop can contain significant amounts of gold and other precious metals. In fact, we’ve recovered thousands of dollars in value from what many would consider trash. It’s a powerful reminder that in this industry, even the smallest particles can hold hidden profits.
Choosing The Right Refinery: Core Scientific
Every part of your workspace holds potential value. The more intentional you are with what you collect and how you prepare it, the better your refining returns will be.
The next step is finding the right refining partner.
When it comes to recycling your jewelry scrap, it’s crucial to choose a trusted refinery that values sustainability and transparency. Core Scientific is a renowned name in the industry, committed to excellence in precious metal refining.
With state-of-the-art facilities and advanced refining technologies, Core Scientific offers unmatched accuracy, consistency, and competitive payouts. You’ll benefit from:
- Full-Service Refining & Shipping
- 24/7 Customer Portal Access
- Flexible Payment Options
- Shipment Tracking
- SMS Notification Program
- Live Material Updates
- Detailed Assay Reporting
- Photographic Documentation
As a leader in precious metal refining for jewelers and pawnbrokers, Core Scientific has revolutionized the industry by bringing full transparency to its customers.
