While we have always refined platinum group metals (PGM’s), we are now officially accepting industrial chemical catalysts for PGM refining.

We have talked to several customers that have worked with unresponsive PGM refiners in the past, waiting up to 23 weeks for their return. Many small businesses cannot wait that long for a return. Our PGM refining services are ideal for customers that have at least 10 ounces or more of PGMs.

Check out the full release about our chemical catalyst refining services.

I have a small quantity of platinum mesh that was used in testing/measurement equipment. I’ve read some of the questions that have been sent to you and understand you offer 70% of the market value, is that correct? How do I send the platinum mesh to you? I can weigh and convert to troy ounces, but what is the time frame to receive payment? Thanks! From Robert in Alma, Michigan.

Hi Robert,

You are correct in that our typical return for industrial platinum material such as platinum mesh is 70% back on the platinum value that is refined.

We always recommend weighing your items at home and please fill out our packing slip. In the special notes section you can put the weight that you had and we will match it to what we find. We will notify you if our findings do not match your description.

Turnaround time on your material should be no more than 7 business days. However, we can normally mail a check after 3 business days of receiving your material. If we have to test or analyze your material further, is what can take longer.

Because precious metal prices are always changing we use the most recent price when your items come into our facility. Platinum is trading at around $1,766 USD per troy ounce.*

Please use this information if you would like to insure your items through the mail. And choose the “Signature Required Upon Delivery” option so that we sign for your package.

*This price may not reflect the current price of platinum, as it is not updated daily as the price changes.

Visit our website to learn more about our platinum refining.
Or view more blog posts related to platinum.

I have about 28 ounces of EP catheters that I would like to sell for the platinum. How does your refining system work after you receive my material? From Judy in Nashville, Tennessee

Hi Judy,

After we receive your material we will analyze it to determine how much platinum is available for platinum recovery. Depending on how much analysis is needed, we can usually return a payment to you in 5-7 business days or less after the material is received. The turnaround time is usually a little faster and we will try and send payment in 3 business days.

We typically pay about 70% of the platinum content by weight. This will depend on the type of platinum EP catheter tips you have. Other factors that will determine the value of your items include the number of electrodes you have, diameter, and weight. The platinum content will vary based on the mentioned criteria.

For shipping we recommend sending your items in a padded mailer or double plastic bags. Makes sure that you choose the “Delivery Signature Required” option when you ship which will ensure that we have received your material.

We also ask that you prepare your EP Catheters by sterilizing the top prior to shipping. Use the method that your hospital recommends. You can also cut the wire so that you are only sending the part that contains platinum. Trimming the wire might also save you on postage and packaging.

I have 2 men’s wedding bands that are 95% platinum. Together they weigh 22.54 grams. Can you tell where I can sell them and how much they are worth? From Richard in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hi Richard,

As with any jewelry, you can always try to sell platinum rings for their “jewelry value” through a jeweler, pawnshop, or eBay. Of course the market value you may get for used jewelry is very hard to determine and many people are very skeptical about buying jewelry online.

Determining the value when viewed from refining point-of-view is much more straightforward. We refine platinum jewelry based on the weight of platinum available for extraction and the market price of platinum. Platinum prices are determined by troy ounces, so you will need to convert grams to troy ounces.  There are approximately 31.1 grams in 1 troy ounce. So your rings weigh about 0.725 troy ounces. Then we find the market price of platinum, which changes daily.

According to CNN Commodities Prices, platinum is $1,538.70 USD per troy ounce. Based on this, the melt value of your 95% platinum rings is about $1,060. Typically we can return 70% of the fine platinum value based on the weight and market price.

Keep in mind, once again, that refiners like us do not take into account the craftsmanship, quality or brand of jewelry items we refine. If you think any of these items are important to the value of your rings, we would recommend first taking them to a jeweler to have them appraised. If you decide to go this route, try and locate all the paperwork you can about the rings such as the purchase receipts and/or purchase certificates.

The retail value of jewelry is kind of like cars. Once they become “used,” the resale value usually drops considerably. That is why refining outdated or broken jewelry is can be a profitable alternative to pawn shops and resale stores, but it is highly dependent on the marketability of individual items.

I have 41.077 grams of small gauge platinum wire. Where can I sell this and what is it worth? Thanks. From Charlie in Madison, Wisconsin.

Hi Charlie,

While your typical pawn shop or jeweler won’t accept platinum wire, we refine silver and platinum wire from electricians and manufacturing facilities regularly. Our experience is that the platinum wire used in many high temperature industrial furnaces is usually replaced every 2-3 years so we’ve invested in the technology and processing techniques to refine these items.

In regards to its worth, we will need to run some calculations.  First, platinum prices are measured in troy ounces and there are approximately 31.1 grams in 1 troy ounce.  Based on this, you have about 1.32 troy ounces of platinum material. Take this number and multiple it by the market price of platinum, which changes daily and is published on many financial news sites. According to CNN Commodities Prices, platinum is $1,538.70 USD per troy ounce today*. If your wire is pure platinum, the refined metal value would be valued at about $2,032.00 USD.

Of course, we need to refine and convert the platinum wire into a sellable product before we can find a buyer for it.  As such, we typically pay about 70% of the platinum value for a small amount like this to cover our refining costs and related fees.

*Market price of platinum changes daily. This price may not reflect the current price of platinum today.

I have laboratory electrode wire and mesh to recycle. Most of it should be 97% platinum and 3% rhodium. Mesh may be 100% platinum. I have about 38 grams combined.  What is the value of these items? From Ken in Omaha, Nebraska

Hi Ken,

We can refine the platinum from the electrode wire and mesh that you have described. We will analyze the material with our testing equipment and can typically return 70% of the fine platinum value back to you based on the that days market price of platinum.

Indicate on your packing slip if you would like us to call you after we have evaluated the platinum. These items are perfect for refining because they are so platinum rich. Other laboratory items that may contain precious metals that we can refine include the following:

• Evaporation Dishes
• Vacuum Bags
• Air Filters
• Polishing Residue
• Casting Sprues and Buttons
• Gauzes
• Electrodes
• Crucibles

Let us know if you have any of these items you would like recycled. You can also visit our website and learn more about our platinum refining.

Hi, I have about one pound of electrophysiology platinum tips for sale. Could you let me know how much you pay for this type of material and what the best method to ship is? Thanks From Neil in St. Louis, Missouri

Hi Neil,

We can refine the platinum out of medical devices such as electrophysiology catheter tips. We typically pay about 70 % of the platinum content by weight. Depending on the type of electrophoresis electrodes you have. Factors such as number of electrodes, diameter, weight, and platinum content on electrodes will vary.

To cut down on your shipping costs you can cut off the end with the electrodes and trim close to the electrodes. This is not necessary, but it can help you save on postage. We recommend sending in your items in a padded mailer or double plastic bags with zips inside your shipping box. UPS flat rate shipping works great, but you may use the carrier of your choice. Please choose the “Delivery Signature Required” option.  Please sterilize the tips prior to shipping with the method your hospital recommends.

Visit our website for more information about our medical device recycling programs.

I have 8 ounces of gold sheets for dental use from the 1880’s and platinum from the 1800’s as well. The platinum is in a powder form. Wondering what the value of these items would be today. From Katie in Memphis, Tennessee

Hi Katie,

To know the actual value of the precious metal contained in your dental sheets we would have to weigh them separately and test for the level of fine gold they possess. Because your items are over 200 years old, the dental products were probably manufactured much differently than they are now, so it would be hard to classify them as dental scrap like we do today. We pay less for dental scrap than, for instance gold jewelry, because it is harder to separate the gold from the other metals that dental scrap is alloyed with. If the gold sheets are very pure we could offer as much as 90% if you have more than 2 ounces of pure or fine gold.

It’s hard to say what kind of estimate we could give you on your platinum without knowing how much you have. We usually pay 70% of the dollar value of the platinum recovered.

If you have any documentation on the gold or even pictures that might help us identify the purity of your material, we may be able to provide a more accurate estimate for you. Thanks!

I have about 50 catalytic converters come in per month. I also have bare copper wire and copper tubing some with and some without solder joints. Are these items worth anything? From Dave in Kansas City, Missouri

Hi Dave,

We can recover platinum and palladium metals from catalytic converters. However, refining this material is not only difficult, but very time and energy consuming. As such, we do not buy whole catalytic converters but rather the pellets and honeycombs from units that have been “de-canned.”

Call or email for a custom quote if you have greater than 100 lbs of “de-canned” catalytic converter material.

For less than 100 lbs of pellets or honeycombs we pay the following prices:

Non-Diesel Engines

• For  loose pellets from non-diesel engines we pay $3.00 per pound.
• For honeycomb material from non-diesel engines we pay $8.00 per pound.

Diesel Engines

• For loose pellets from diesel engines we pay $3.00 per pound.
• For honeycomb material from diesel engines we pay $3.00 per pound.

I have 3-4 ounces of Watlow platinum thermocouple wire I would like to sell. How much could you give me and how does the process work? Do I send you the metal to evaluate first? – From John in New Orleans, Louisiana

Hi John,

We can buy and refine platinum thermocouple wire. We will not know the percentage of platinum in the wire without an analysis. However, we have testing equipment that provides this information to us. Once we know the metal content, we can provide you an estimate. Given the costs involved in refining thermocouple wire, we typically pay about 70% of the platinum content.

As for shipping, 4 ounces isn’t too heavy. Therefore, you could send using the U.S. Post Office’s priority mail boxes, but you can use DHL, UPS, or FedEx, without incurring much cost. Visit our website for more information about the shipping process. Also remember to request a signature required upon delivery.

For platinum items we can call you if you would like after we have evaluated the platinum. Please indicate that request on the packing slip with your shipment.

I have removed the platinum from catalytic converters. What is the value by weight? From Rob in Pleasant Hill, Oregon

Hi Rob,

We do buy the pellets and honey combs from catalytic converter units that have been “de-canned.” It sounds like your materials are already “de-canned.” Some other information from you would help us give a more accurate estimate for your material such as how many pounds do you have? Do you have loose pellets or honeycomb? Are the catalytic converters from non-diesel engines or diesel engines?

For shipments less than 100 lbs., we go by this payment schedule:

Non-Diesel Engines

For loose pellets from non-diesel engines we pay $3.00 per pound.
For honeycomb material from non-diesel engines we pay $8.00 per pound.

Diesel Engines

For loose pellets from diesel engines we pay $3.00 per pound.
For honeycomb material from diesel engines we pay $3.00 per pound.

If you have greater than 100 lbs. of “de-canned” catalytic converter material, please call or email us for a custom estimate. Hope this information helps!

I’m just a humble jewelry designer from NY who is trying to get used to all this stuff! From Natalie in New York, Arkansas

Hi Natalie,

Don’t worry if you don’t pickup on everything right away. It takes sometime to get to know the precious metal industry. Here are some helpful tips that I’ve put together for you and other jewelry designers out there that may have some scrap precious metal to refine.

It’s great that you are learning and researching about this now so you have all the tools at hand. We work with jewelry designers, jewelry sellers and gold party representatives from all over, let us know if you have any questions about precious metal!

Keep in mind that precious metals include: gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Pay attention to where you scrap is going.

From small gold chain links to shavings of silver, try to account for it all. For larger pieces of gold, silver or platinum that you cannot use in creating or fixing jewelry its best to keep them as separated as you can. We recommend working on smooth, dark surfaces so you can see scrap easier.

Don’t throw anything out, it could be precious!

Even your facility that you resize, shape and design jewelry in can contain valuable precious metal scrap. Areas where precious metal can be accumulating include sink traps, floor mats, carpets, rags, floor sweeps and vacuum bags. Think about this when you’re cleaning your facilities. If you regularly clip, size and shape precious metal chances are small pieces of it have gotten away from you. As precious metal refiners we can extract even the smallest amounts of precious metal from these items.

Keep your stones and gems.

As precious metal refiners, we only return payments for metal materials, not stones and gems. To reclaim the value on these items, make sure you remove them before sending them to any metal refinery.

I have thermocouple wire to sell/refine. Total weight is about 2000 grams. Half is pure platinum, the other half is 87% platinum, 13% Rhodium. Do you buy from the general public. Also, do you pay for the rhodium content or only the platinum? – Steven from Virginia

Hi Steven,

We are a precious metal refiner that does buy from the public. We will pay you for 70% of the fine platinum content by weight. We do pay on rhodium, but the rhodium amount you described is too small to offer a payment. You can find more information about our platinum recovery services on our website.

Is there any way to tell if my platinum ring is pure platinum? — Beth in Stillwater, OK

The two most common purities of platinum used in jewelry are:

Plat - 950 Plat is considered nearly pure platinum and usually contains 95% platinum and 5% iridium.  It is quite expensive and typically the highest grade of platinum available for jewelry making.

IridPlat - This platinum is 90% pure platinum with 10% other metals mixed in…typically iridium. These rings can be marked with a hallmark of “.90 Plat” as well and therefore have a slightly lower melt value than their purer platinum counterparts.

Obviously pure platinum will yield higher returns, however at around $1,322.00/troy ounce, platinum alloyed with other materials can return a surprisingly high melt value.