Can You Sell Gold Crowns? Here’s How and Where

Selling old gold crowns can provide unexpected monetary value. These dental remnants contain precious metals that can be converted into cash. Understanding their composition, identifying suitable buyers, and navigating the selling process are important steps.

Characteristics of Gold Crowns for Sale

Dental gold crowns are typically not composed of pure, 24-karat gold. Instead, they are alloys, meaning they consist of a blend of gold and other metals, engineered for durability and strength within the oral environment. Common additional metals include silver, copper, palladium, and platinum, with some alloys containing tin, nickel, chromium, or cobalt. The gold content in these crowns can vary significantly, often ranging from 10 to 22 karats. An average yellow-colored gold dental crown might contain approximately 16 karats, which translates to about 67% gold.

The monetary value of a gold crown is primarily determined by its gold content or purity, its weight (usually measured in grams or troy ounces), and the current market spot price of gold. Karatage indicates the proportion of pure gold; for instance, 14-karat gold contains 58.3% pure gold, while 18-karat gold is 75% pure. Buyers assess the crown based on these metrics against the fluctuating daily market price.

Non-gold materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, or tooth fragments, must be removed or accounted for during valuation. These materials do not contribute to the gold weight. Some dental gold alloys may also contain other precious metals like palladium and platinum, which can further influence their overall value.

Identifying Potential Buyers

Several types of entities purchase dental gold crowns, each offering a different approach to the transaction. Precious metal refiners specialize in processing and buying scrap gold, often providing competitive rates. These businesses refine the raw metal, separating gold from other elements. Refiners typically offer payouts in the range of 80% to 95% of the gold’s spot price because they deal directly with the material without a middleman.

Reputable jewelers may also buy scrap gold, particularly those with experience in estate jewelry or custom work. Their offers can vary, and they might have different methods for assessing the gold content compared to specialized refiners. Online gold buyers offer a convenient process, often involving mail-in services where sellers send their items for evaluation and receive payment. These services generally provide insured shipping and a straightforward transaction.

Pawn shops represent another option for selling gold crowns, though their offers might be lower than specialized buyers. They typically offer between 30% and 70% of the gold’s market value, accounting for their overhead and profit margins.

Navigating the Sale Process

Initiating the sale of gold crowns involves preparatory steps. Cleaning them thoroughly with gentle products removes debris without damaging the metal. If possible, removing obvious non-gold materials like porcelain or ceramic can streamline the buyer’s evaluation, though many buyers are equipped to handle this.

The next step involves obtaining quotes from multiple buyers to compare offers. Sellers should inquire about the per-gram price being offered and understand any potential fees that might reduce the final payout. Providing the approximate weight of the crown, if known, can assist in getting an initial estimate. This comparative shopping helps in securing the best possible return for the gold.

Buyers typically perform tests to determine the gold content and purity accurately. Common methods include acid tests, which involve applying specific acids to a small scratch on the metal, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, a non-destructive method that provides a detailed elemental breakdown. The crown is then weighed on a precision scale. The final offer will be based on the tested purity and weight, calculated against the current market price of gold on the day of the transaction. Some precious metal refiners may melt and assay the material to determine the exact content of all precious metals present, not just gold.

Upon agreeing to an offer, payment is typically issued through methods such as check, bank transfer, or cash, depending on the buyer. Receive a clear receipt or transaction record. This documentation should detail the material’s weight, tested purity, price per unit of gold, and total payment received.

From a tax perspective, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classifies physical gold as a “collectible.” Any profit realized from selling gold held for over one year is subject to long-term capital gains tax, which has a maximum rate of 28%. If the gold was held for one year or less, the gains are taxed as ordinary income, potentially at a higher rate depending on the seller’s income bracket. Tax liabilities are reported on annual tax filings and are not due at the time of sale.