Gold refining explained: what a gold refinery does
Refining turns old jewellery, dental gold and scrap into pure gold again. Here is how it works, and where a private seller fits in.
- Free insured FedEx collection
- Insured to £10,000
- Paid the same day after inspection
- 5/5 on Google
What decides the value
- MeltingScrap of the same carat is melted together into a single bar.
- AssayA sample of the bar is tested to find exactly how much gold it holds.
- RefiningThe other metals are removed by chemical or electrolytic processes to leave fine gold.
- MarkingThe refined gold is cast or minted into bars and grain and stamped with its fineness.
What is refined gold?
Refined gold is gold of at least 995 parts per thousand, the standard for bullion bars. Jewellery gold is an alloy: 9 carat is 37.5% gold and 18 carat is 75%. Refining separates the gold from the copper, silver and zinc mixed with it.
How gold is refined
The two main industrial methods are the Miller process, which bubbles chlorine through molten gold to about 995 fineness, and the Wohlwill process, which uses electrolysis to reach 999.9. Smaller refiners use acids to dissolve and recover the gold.
Do I need a gold refinery to sell gold?
No. Refineries deal with trade customers and large lots, and charge for melting and assay. A private seller sends gold to a buyer, who tests each piece, pays for it, and sends only true scrap on for refining. Antique and signed pieces are kept whole, because they are worth more that way.
What we buy
- Broken and scrap gold jewellery
- Dental gold
- Gold coins and bars
- Gold watches and watch cases
- Antique and signed gold, valued whole
Related
- 4,000+customers
- 5/5on Google reviews
- £10,000insured per parcel
- Same daypayment after inspection
- 10+ yearsin business
Three steps, all from home
Get your offer
An instant offer for gold and silver, or a free valuation from photos within one working day.
Send it free and insured
A FedEx courier collects from your door, or post it by Royal Mail Special Delivery. Insured to £10,000.
Paid the same day
We inspect it on arrival, confirm your offer and pay by bank transfer the same day. Change your mind and it comes back free.
What our sellers say
“Excellent service. Contacted Mozeris and corresponded with Faustas. Responded immediately to my email to sell a 20g gold bar and a half sovereign coin. Received an offer and after a few further email exchanges to finalise, I posted with special delivery and was paid out shortly after they received the items.”
“I was apprehensive about selling my mother's omega watch but the whole process was straightforward and reassuring. Faustas was extremely helpful and understanding and the communication was very quick. The money agreed was in my account within hours of accepting an offer.”
“Fantastic guys, pay on spot and very very professional.”
Questions about selling gold refining
What does a gold refinery do?
It melts scrap gold, assays it to measure the gold content, and removes the other metals to produce fine gold of 995 or 999.9 purity.
Can I sell my gold to a refinery?
Most refineries deal with the trade and with large quantities. Private sellers normally sell to a gold buyer, who sends scrap on to be refined.
What is the difference between scrap gold and refined gold?
Scrap gold is old gold alloy of mixed carats. Refined gold has had the other metals removed and is at least 995 fine.
Is all gold jewellery melted when I sell it?
No. A specialist checks each piece first. Antique, signed and stone-set jewellery is kept and resold whole.
How do I send it to you?
Book a free insured FedEx collection from your door, or post it by Royal Mail Special Delivery and we refund the postage. Both are tracked and insured to £10,000.
When am I paid?
By bank transfer the same day we inspect your items and you accept our offer. If you decide not to sell, everything comes back insured, at our cost.
More guides
Not sure what you have? Ask us.
Tell us about it or attach a few photos. They go straight to a specialist, who starts on your valuation and replies within one working day.
Ready when you are
Get an instant offer for gold and silver, or send photos of anything else for a free valuation.