14k Gold Scrap Explained!
When we talk about 14k gold scrap, the mass-made jewellery comes to mind. For indeed, the cheaper kind of it is made using this relatively low grade gold, as opposed to some finer pieces made from 18 carat and particularly 24 carat (almost pure) gold. That's why 14k gold scrap is very popular on the precious metals recycling market.
It is worth describing, what 14k gold actually means. According to the international norms, 14 karat (14K) gold term depicts a composition of 14 parts of gold and 10 parts of other metals. The other parts consist of silver, cooper, tin, and other metal alloys. The actual composition is designed to give the end product with properties most suitable to the commonly worn jewellery pieces. Low wear, stable color and shape, low thermal expansion coefficient are the main factors describing the desired material.
It comes then as no surprise, that 14k gold scrap is not the most sought after form of gold. The fact that it contains many les desirable metals means a complicated refining process, if obtaining the pure gold is one's target. Even the remaining alternative - using it for jewellery products again, is technically quite complicated. Every manufacturer demands a raw gold material that is uniform in its chemical and mechanical properties.
Consequently, melting 14k gold scrap of various origins will inevitably produce some hybrid alloy, well outside the required parameters. This fact alone defines 14k gold scrap price as relatively lower than the expectations hold by the sellers.
In any event, it's all up to the market forces. With the supply relatively steady, and dependant mainly on the speed of the fashion changes, the buyer pay as little as possible, and the sellers have to accept it.
This situation can change considerably, if the global demand for gold rises strongly. Then, even 14k gold scrap is accepted more readily for refining, with the prices paying at the scrap metal exchanges rising steadily. Not surprisingly so, as the high processing costs can be easily offset by the price paid for the pure refined gold.
Currently, India holds the position of the world’s largest jewellery user. Not surprisingly, that’s where most of the 14 karat scrap gold comes from. Although, with their local recycling industry well developed, and a low cost labor force as another advantage, it is hard to beat their position of the market leader. In the USA and other countries for that matter, there are individuals and businesses that do nothing else, but deal in scrap gold.
Does it mean you can start running around, asking everyone you know if they have 14k gold scrap that they don't need? No, it's better if you leave it to the licensed gold dealers, the specialist in their field of expertise.
Quite often, your friends would think that the profits you're making dealing in 14k gold scrap, are much higher than in the reality. If anything, you'll be better of concentrating on sourcing scrap gold of higher karat values, with the attractive prices to match! 
Scrap Gold
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