| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
hondarider09
New Member
2 Posts |
 Posted - 06/15/2008 : 12:30:09
|
Alright, My name is Garett, and I just registered on here. I'm 17 and have been into silver since about 11, and just really started getting into scrapping alum/copper/brass, and all that. I would love to start getting into scrap gold from yard sales and everything, but I really don't know what I should be looking for or anything.
Thanks A Lot!
|
|
|
davycoppit
Penny Pincher Member
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2008 : 13:54:01
|
I go to alot of thrift stores and garage sales to find gold and silver. I just check out the jewelry and look for anything .925, sterling, 10K, 12K, 14K, and 18K, you could also find 22K and 24K, but that is rare. Also look for anything stamped 950 or PLAT. I never thought I would find platinum, but in the past year I found a platinum ring(missing the middle diamond, but a gorgeous engagement ring) for 24 dollars and a platinum pendant for 29 dollars that weighed 5 grams. Don't buy anything that is marked 10KGF, or 14KGF that is gold filled and is about 2%gold. Before you start buying just google silver hallmarks, gold hallmarks, and jewelry hallmarks, and you will learn everything you need to know. Hope this helps.
Oh bring a magnet I forgot my magnet one time and bought a sterling chain that was magnetic. At first it is pretty hard to judge the wieght of metal in the object and if it is worth the price, but after you buy a few items and weigh them out it gets pretty easy.
|
Edited by - davycoppit on 06/15/2008 14:03:44 |
 |
|
|
kavajava
Penny Collector Member
USA
487 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2008 : 14:25:25
|
Thanks for the idea about the magnet--good info for a newbie like myself.
About how often do you find good deals on gold jewelry at thrift stores or garage sales? 10% 25%? You'd think by now most people would know what they have. Guess not. |
|
|
|
davycoppit
Penny Pincher Member
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2008 : 17:08:43
|
| I usually just find good deals at this one thrift store. They use to price their sterling super cheap, but now it is harder to find the cheap sterling, however they misprice the gold jewelry quite a bit. I think so far I have found 5 gold rings for about 15 dollars each and a platinum ring for 24 dollars. I also wait until their 50% off days then buy all the sterling they have. I really hope nobody else in the area figures out that there is always cheap gold and silver at this particular place. I guess its just a matter of time. |
Edited by - davycoppit on 06/15/2008 17:10:52 |
|
|
|
fiatboy
Administrator
912 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2008 : 23:09:05
|
Hi Garett. Good advice so far. In addition to staying away from anything marked GF, stay away from anything marked EGP---unless of course you plan to chemically remove the tiny amount of gold that's there. Persistence is the key. Leave no stone unturned. Don't let driving around eat into your profits too much. I have the best luck at garage sales, and as I've said before, 2008 is the Year of the Garage Sale. haha. Don't be surprised if you have to search far and wide before you find a treasure. And really, what you're doing is a form of treasure hunting. Good luck and be sure to keep us updated on any cool finds.
Oh yeah, don't forget your loupe or magnifying glass! 
Thread moved to the Scrap Metal section.
|
"Bart, it's not about how many stocks you have, it's about how much copper wire you can get out of the building." --- Homer Simpson |
|
|
|
hondarider09
New Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2008 : 11:00:35
|
| Thanks for all the replys they helped a lot. I will be sure to let you all in on my finds when I get some. Thanks again. |
|
|
|
fb101
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2008 : 17:40:59
|
| One more thing. Don't ignore silverware,but study it first or get a good book. Anything "Rogers" is plate (no good) but if you find coin silver it's 90% made from melted coins. |
A materialistic society cannot afford credit, it will inevitably implode.
Life and success are a "do it yourself" thing |
|
|
|
Flbandit
Penny Collector Member
USA
428 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2008 : 20:29:10
|
| Yeah, I found a set of 8 forks and spoons from China (of all places) that turned out to be .999. I got it at a church sale for $30.00. I ended up selling it for $80.00. |
Are you throwing that out? |
|
|
|
davycoppit
Penny Pincher Member
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2008 : 16:30:00
|
Hey fb101,
I never knew about coin silver melted down to make silverware before, but I know about coin silver. A little while back I bought a novelty spoon that on the back had just "90". I bought it(.25 cents) knowing about coin silver, but could never find any information on a 90 marking. I did read that they are usually marked coin silver or 900. Do you know if coin silver could just be marked 90? Thanks.
david |
Edited by - davycoppit on 06/17/2008 16:32:08 |
|
|
|
knibloe
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
537 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2008 : 20:42:29
|
| How many of you take a scale to weigh items? |
|
|
|
TenBears
Penny Hoarding Member
873 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2008 : 21:02:06
|
| Hondarider there is a garage/yard sale thread around here somewhere that you might want to find and read as well. Welcome to our little forum. |
"Rich," the Old Man said dreamily, "is not baying after what you can't have. Rich is having the time to do what you want to do. Rich is a little whiskey to drink and some food to eat and a roof over your head and a fish pole and a boat and a gun and a dollar for a box of shells. Rich is not owing any money to anybody, and not spending what you haven't got." Robert Ruark
there are too wild Indians...
there are too wild Indians...
there are too wild Indians...-----still taunted
|
|
|
|
davycoppit
Penny Pincher Member
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2008 : 18:53:56
|
| I dont take a scale into the store. It took quite a while and a little practice, but I can usually tell if it is worth it or not. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Starting into gold.
