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.

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.