Are Gold Teeth Worth Anything? How to Sell Them
Uncover the monetary potential of gold teeth. This guide demystifies their inherent worth and provides clear steps to monetize your dental gold.
Gold teeth possess significant monetary value, primarily due to their precious metal content. This value comes from the recoverable gold and sometimes other noble metals they contain, not their original function or aesthetic. Understanding how this value is determined and the process for selling them can guide individuals. The worth of gold teeth is directly tied to global commodity markets and the specific characteristics of the dental alloy.
Understanding the Value of Gold Teeth
The monetary value of gold teeth is determined by gold purity, net weight, and the current market price of gold. Gold purity, known as karatage, indicates the proportion of pure gold within the alloy. Dental gold commonly ranges from 10-karat (41.7% pure gold) to 16-karat, though higher purities like 18-karat (75% pure gold) or even 22-karat (91.7% pure gold) can be found. A higher karatage translates to greater gold content and higher potential value.
The net weight of the gold content, after accounting for any non-gold materials, is also a significant determinant. Precious metals are typically weighed in grams, pennyweights (dwt), or troy ounces. Buyers focus on the exact weight of the pure gold present, not the gross weight of the entire tooth. This precision ensures an accurate calculation of the gold’s worth.
Other materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, or base metals used in dental crowns, reduce the overall gold content and must be accounted for. These non-gold components are subtracted from the total weight during assessment, as they hold little to no scrap value. The current market price of gold, which fluctuates daily, directly impacts the final cash value offered. Buyers typically offer 70% to 90% of this “spot price” for scrap gold to cover refining costs and operational overhead.
Getting Your Gold Teeth Assessed
Before selling gold teeth, obtaining a professional assessment is necessary to understand their true scrap value. Individuals can undertake some initial preparation, such as gently cleaning the items to remove superficial debris. Care should be taken not to damage the material. Sorting multiple pieces can also streamline the assessment process for the buyer.
The assessment process involves several precise steps performed by professional buyers or refiners. Items are first weighed using calibrated scales to determine their gross weight. The gold’s purity is then accurately tested using specialized methods. While acid testing provides approximate karatage, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis offers a non-destructive and highly accurate elemental breakdown, identifying gold content and other metals present.
Material separation is an important part of this evaluation, as non-gold components embedded within or attached to the gold must be identified and accounted for. This process determines the true net weight of the recoverable gold. The assessment provides a clear understanding of the “scrap value,” which is the intrinsic worth of the precious metal content. This valuation forms the basis for any potential sale.
Selling Gold Teeth
Once gold teeth have been professionally assessed for their scrap value, the next step involves identifying reputable avenues for sale and understanding the transaction process. Specialized gold buyers and precious metal refiners are generally the most direct and reliable options for selling dental gold. Some reputable jewelers also purchase scrap gold, though their offered rates might be less competitive. Pawn shops can offer immediate cash, but they typically provide a lower percentage of the gold’s market value, often 50% to 60%, due to their business model and higher overheads.
It is recommended to obtain quotes from several different buyers to ensure a fair price. Each quote should clearly state the price offered per gram or pennyweight for the specific purity of gold. This comparative shopping approach allows individuals to select the most advantageous offer, as pricing can vary between buyers depending on their operational costs and desired profit margins.
The transaction process typically requires the seller to provide a valid government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID. This requirement stems from anti-fraud regulations and state laws governing precious metal purchases, which mandate buyers to record transactions and seller identities. Payment is commonly issued via check or bank transfer, though smaller amounts might sometimes be paid in cash. Buyers generally apply a “spread,” purchasing gold slightly below the current market spot price, typically 5% to 20% lower, to cover refining, handling, and business expenses.