White gold? You may want to go platinum.

San Antonio jewelry

Did you know “white gold” isn’t really white? In order to make gold appear white, another metal needs to be mixed in such as silver, nickel, palladium, or rhodium. Another alternative to white gold is platinum. Platinum naturally has a white luster that can be polished to a high degree. When it begins to lose it polish, it takes on a lovely dull patina that only serves to accent any gems that may be on the ring. So what are some specific comparisons between the two?

Care. Above we mentioned that “white” gold is mixed with another metal to create an alloy. While gold doesn’t tarnish, the other metal will eventually, so it’s important to re-dip the band every few years. Platinum on the other hand maintains its natural gray-white color.

Cost. This is where gold has the clear advantage. People tend to think gold is the most expensive metal, but that’s certainly no the case. Platinum is far rarer and as such, more expensive than gold.

Composition. Gold is the most enduring metal that does not tarnish or lose its luster, but it tends to have some strength issues when it comes to purity. The purer the composition of gold, the more fragile it becomes. What we find with platinum is that it is one of the densest precious metals that retains strength along with purity. Additionally, alloys (in gold bands) have been found to cause allergic reactions in some people. Platinum is naturally hypoallergenic.

Culture. Historically and classically, gold is the clear winner. It has been used and valued for thousands of years. In a modern sense however, a designation of “platinum” is often used to refer to a product, level, or service that is BETTER than the gold standard. Here, it comes down to personal preference.

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Gold, Silver, and Copper in E-Waste

Gold and silver have been used in manufacturing for centuries, millennia even. For the longest time, this waste was reused or recycled and used for new purposes, like wiring, for example. But with the rise of electronic devices, gold and silver waste has hit a new high. Over 300 tons of gold, 10% of the world’s production, was thrown away last year in the form of e-waste. Aside from the obvious reason, money, what makes this such a big deal for environmentalists and manufacturers?

Gold: What Is It Good For?

Humanity has been fascinated by gold since the first caveman saw a shiny piece of metal in a riverbed. We’ve worn it as jewelry, put it on our teeth, and even coated coffins with it. But gold serves a greater purpose, other than just being shiny. Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity. Ever since electrical machinery began to be used in the late 18th century, gold has been used to bring power to those machines in the form of wiring. Even today, gold tipped plugs and wires are among the most highly sought after because they produce the one of the highest rates of electrical exchange.

When electricity began to be used to power handheld devices, gold made its way into them for much the same purpose. Inside our cellphones, there is about 1/40th of a gram of gold. So, 40 phones equals one gram of gold. This number may seem high, but it takes one ton, about 2,000 pounds, of rock to produce the same amount of gold that’s in 40 cell phones.

Wasting Gold

As previously stated, there were 300 tons of gold thrown out last year in the form of e-waste. So, using the aforementioned formula, that’s 13,607,771,100 cell phone’s worth of gold. Of course, there are only about 7 billion cell phones in use today, and who knows how many of them were actually thrown away in 2014. The 300 tons of gold includes everything from old televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators. Pretty much anything that has some form of electronic wiring inside has a gold or copper wire component. But this problem isn’t just about throwing out millions of dollars worth gold, silver, and copper every year. Cell phones and other e-waste contain other dangerous metals such as lead, chromium, and mercury. These metals make their ways into ground water, lakes, and rivers, which eventually end up in our homes as drinking water.

The Solution?

Reading this, you may be thinking ‘Hey! I’ll but up old cell phones and melt them down to get out the gold, silver, etc.’ Well, good luck with that. The amount of gold inside cell phones can get you a little less than $1.50. So, to make $100.00, you’d need about 100 cell phones (which is quite a lot.) The main way companies use e-waste is taking out the old components and making them into new devices. They also take the other, more dangerous metals, like lead, chromium, and mercury, and dispose of them properly. So what can you do? You can recycle your e-waste. There are special containers at many electronic stores that are used only for cell phones, batteries, and other forms of e-waste. But, if you really want to be adventurous, you could try to get the gold out yourself. But you might end up spending a lot more money than you’d make.

 

If you’re looking for a place to sell all of that gold from your e-waste recycling operation, why not come by Gold Unlimited? We’ll pay top dollar for all of your gold, silver, and jewelry. Come by and see what your gold is worth. You’ll end up leaving with a smile on your face and a pocket full of cash.

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Sources:
http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2015/04/20/garbage-dumps-are-gold-mines
http://www.gbcghana.com/1.2988386
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150419/1021103796.html
http://rt.com/news/251045-300tons-gold-wasted-electronics/
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-28802646

Cash for Gold: Protecting Your Gold Valuables

cash for gold

It seems you can’t go to the mall, the grocery store, or drive down the highway without seeing a business that deals in cash for gold. Gold has always been a valuable asset throughout millennia and continues to be a commodity that is traded by countries and individuals alike. Although it cannot be used as currency, gold is acquired as a backup to mitigate against economic uncertainty.

Gold can take many forms. It is bought and traded in coins, bars, and jewelry. If you have gold in any of these forms or if you are thinking of acquiring gold valuables in the near future, one of the most important things you should consider is how you will store and keep it safe.

 

Evaluate your Risks

What form does your gold come in? For many people their gold is in jewelry form. Rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants and more are all common jewelry items they own. As such, it is not all uncommon for them to keep their gold in a simple jewelry box at home. This isn’t the best idea.

Depending on the amount of gold you own, it is important to evaluate your risks. Thieves would love to make off with your bounty and gold in jewelry form is an attractive item to take not just because of its metallic value, but because it can be more easily sold on the street.

You must ask yourself a few questions as well about just how safe your gold is. Do you live in a gated community? Does your home have an alarm system? Do you own a safe? How many people know you have gold at home? Is it insured?

 

How to Store it

 

At Home. If you plan on storing your gold at home there are a few things you need to make sure of. First you need to have a safe. There are many safes out there, but basically you want to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to get in or walk off with the safe. Next, you need the safe location to be as hard to find as possible. No one can get into what they can’t find.

Rule number three is to just keep quiet about your treasure. Tell as few people as possible that you own gold in your home.

In a Safety Deposit Box. If you feel uncomfortable about securing your gold in your home, this is a common sentiment. Good news is you can secure your valuables in a safety deposit box at a bank. Check with your bank as some banks often supply safety deposit boxes free of charge. The only drawback is that more people know you have valuables in there and you won’t have immediate access if you need it.

In a Bank Vault. If you have more gold than will fit in a safety deposit box, some banks will allow you to store your gold coins and bars in their vaults. Be prepared though to pay at least .5-1% per year of the total value of your loot as a cost of storing and insuring it there.

 

Get Cash for Gold at Gold Unlimited

Gold is a great way to invest against long-term economic woes; however, if you need cash for gold now, come into Gold Unlimited today. We’ll give you top dollar for your gold jewelry, coins, or bars.

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Supplement your Tax Return with Cash for Gold

One of the best things about the New Year is the possibility of receiving a much welcome check from the Federal Government. Yes, tax season is upon us and you’re either excited (because you know you’ll probably get something back) or you’re dreading it because you know you’ll be handing even more of your hard earned cash over in taxes. For many though, this expected lump sum is one they look forward every year, especially in the light of post-holiday spending.

We rely on them for

The average 2013 tax return last year was just shade hair below $3000. This is a welcome amount people use to pay for holiday expenses, insurance premiums, several months payment on a new car, a deposit on an apartment, or an early springtime getaway. However, those with families may be harder pressed to use this money for children’s medical expenses, education, or clothes. $3000 may seem like quite a bit at first, but it can become divided up quite quickly when there a slew of needs to be met. What will you use your return for? Will it be enough? If not, we have a solution you may not have thought of or if you have – might be wary of.

Get extra cash for your Gold

The last decade has seen the price of gold skyrocket. In 2000 the price per ounce was around $300. In only a few years it’s risen to all-time high at over $1,100 an ounce! As a result there has been an explosion of gold buying companies and merchants out there that want to give you cash for gold. However, many of these businesses are out for short term profit and are looking to buy low and sell quickly. This means they won’t pay near market value for customers’ gold items. Those who really need some quick cash will find themselves with a bad taste in their mouths as they were misled into parting with something that was worth more than they got for it.

At Gold Unlimited we pride ourselves as being one of the oldest, trusted jewelry stores and gold buyers in San Antonio. If you need extra cash this spring and your tax refund just won’t be enough, consider those unused jewelry items as an option for you to supplement you income needs. We are fair buyers that want you to be satisfied with your transaction and will work to give you top dollar for your gold.

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:Sources:

http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/average-tax-refund.html