Precious Metals Assay: Why You Should Have your Jewelry Analyzed

With the price of gold at record highs, many people are looking through their jewelry boxes and catchall drawers to see what they have in the way of “scrap gold.” That’s the term the ‘Cash for Gold’ dealers are using to get you to sell your broken jewelry and other ‘junk gold’ (another term of art) for some quick and easy cash. The ‘Art’ however that too many of these fly-by-night precious metals buyers are engaging in is really the age-old art of the slick pitchman who acts like an expert and talks like a used car salesman. So . . . a few things you should know before you part with Grandmas gold necklace, out of style that it may be.

First of all, since the price you will be quoted for any gold you sell in today’s market is based solely on the value of the metal, there is no such thing as scrap or junk gold. Gold is gold, and that is what you are selling. But how do you know how much gold there is in that necklace? This simple answer is that you don’t. It could be 10 carat, 14 carat, even 18 carat gold—each being a percentage of the amount of gold in the item. 24 carats is pure. Anything less is a mixture of gold and some other metal.

“Then, how does the guy buying my gold know how much it’s worth?” you may ask. Simple answer . . . he only knows what it is worth to him. Any accurate valuation of a piece of gold jewelry by someone who is merely glancing at it is impossible. Unless, of course, they are glancing at it with aid of high-tech equipment that is specifically designed to give a precise reading of the quantity of pure gold contained in the item.

"If you want to sell gold or other precious metals, from broken or unwanted jewelry to precious family heirlooms, you owe it to yourself to have the items analyzed accurately and scientifically before you sell,” says Chris Henry of CL Assay Service, a precious metals analysis lab in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida which offers an online assay process that lets you access their state-of-the-art analysis lab directly from any PC or laptop.

As explained by Alan Forray of the precious metals information blog, The Gold Standard, “The process is simple. The customer fills out an online form. Then, they receive a pre-paid insured mailer to send in their valuables, and the rest happens right before their eyes during a live online teleconference that shows the actual analysis of the precious item using a state-of-the-art XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) spectrometer which analyzes precious metals down to the fraction of a carat and gives the consumer a precise valuation based on that day’s spot market price.”

“So much has been reported about "Send Us Your Gold" scams that we felt an entirely new approach was needed,” says Henry. “That's why we don't even open your package until you are watching us on your PC. You get to see the entire scientific analysis process and immediately decide if you want to accept our very high offers. If not your items are immediately returned. You know what is happening every step of the way, including tracking your shipments to and from us.”

So, if you are thinking about selling some old jewelry, don’t just swallow the line of some “Cash for Gold” dealer who has set up shop at the local Holiday Inn Express. You owe it to yourself (and Grandma) to find out what your gold is worth before you decide to sell it.

For more information go to CL Assay Service.