Are Gold Crowns Worth Anything? Here’s How to Sell Them

Gold crowns, often removed during dental procedures or found among old possessions, frequently prompt questions regarding their potential monetary worth. These dental restorations are not merely discarded waste; they contain a precious metal that maintains value in the global market. The intrinsic value of a gold crown stems directly from its gold content, which can be refined and repurposed. Understanding the underlying factors that determine this value is the first step in assessing whether your gold crowns hold financial significance. This article explores how to determine their worth and navigate the process of selling them.

Factors Determining Value

The monetary value of a gold crown is primarily determined by three interconnected factors: its gold purity, its total weight, and the prevailing market price of gold. Dental gold is rarely composed of pure, 24-karat (24k) gold, which signifies 99.9% purity. Instead, it is an alloy, mixed with other metals such as copper, silver, palladium, or platinum to enhance its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance for dental applications. These alloying metals improve the crown’s ability to withstand chewing forces and resist tarnishing in the mouth.

Common purities for dental gold range from 10k to 22k. A higher karat number indicates a greater proportion of pure gold within the alloy, correlating to a higher value. For instance, 10k gold contains 41.7% pure gold, while 14k gold contains 58.3% pure gold, and 22k gold contains 91.7% pure gold, with the remaining percentage comprised of other metals.

The weight of the gold crown is another determinant of its value. Precious metals are commonly measured in troy ounces, where one troy ounce equals approximately 31.1035 grams, or in grams. The more gold content a crown possesses, the greater its worth. Buyers will weigh the gold content after any non-metallic materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, or tooth fragments, have been removed, as these materials do not contribute to the gold’s value and would skew the weight.

Finally, the current market price of gold influences a crown’s worth. Gold prices fluctuate daily on global commodity markets, driven by factors such as economic stability, inflation concerns, geopolitical events, and the interplay of supply and demand. These real-time prices, quoted per troy ounce or gram, serve as the baseline for calculating the melt value of any gold item. A higher prevailing market price for gold translates to a higher payout for your gold crowns, as buyers will base their offers on the current spot price.

Assessing Your Gold Crowns

Once you understand the factors influencing value, the next step involves assessing your gold crowns to estimate their worth. While visual inspection can offer a preliminary indication, like a gold color or a “14K” stamp, these do not determine precise purity. Many crowns are yellow but contain little gold, or they might be gold on the outside with a different metal inside.

To get an initial estimate of weight, you can use a kitchen scale or a digital jewelry scale. Before weighing, clean the crown and remove any non-gold materials, such as dental cement, porcelain, or tooth fragments. These extraneous materials add weight but hold no gold value, leading to an inaccurate assessment.

After obtaining an approximate weight, you can consult current gold market prices. Financial news websites, commodity exchange platforms, or precious metal dealer websites provide real-time spot prices for gold, quoted per troy ounce or gram. To estimate the value, multiply the weight of your gold (in grams or troy ounces) by the current market price, and then adjust for the estimated purity. For example, if you have 1 gram of what you estimate to be 14k gold (58.3% pure), and the market price of pure gold is $65 per gram, your gold content would be 0.583 grams, yielding an approximate value of $37.89 (0.583 $65). This calculation provides a rough estimate, as actual purity can only be accurately determined through professional testing.

Selling Your Gold Crowns

After assessing your gold crowns, several avenues exist for selling them, each with varying convenience and returns. Precious metal refiners offer competitive prices because their business model focuses on melting down and extracting pure gold from scrap metal. They provide payment based on the exact gold content and current market rates. They charge a refining fee or commission, typically 5% to 20% of the melt value, depending on the volume and purity of the material. Engaging directly with a refiner is recommended for larger quantities of gold or when seeking the highest return.

Local jewelers and pawn shops also purchase gold crowns, providing a convenient option for smaller quantities. While accessible, they act as intermediaries and offer lower prices compared to refiners, as they need to account for their own profit margins and processing costs. Their offers might range from 50% to 80% of the gold’s melt value, varying based on their business model. It is advisable to obtain quotes from several local establishments to compare offers and ensure a fair deal for your material.

Online gold buyers provide another option, offering convenience through mail-in services. Caution is advised with online platforms, as reputation and transparency vary. Before sending your gold, research the company, read reviews, and ensure clear terms, a detailed appraisal, and insured shipping. Always request a clear breakdown of their assessment, including the weight, purity, and the specific market price used for their calculation, and understand any fees deducted from the payout.