24 Carat Gold Dust

[markc939]

Hi,

In the early 1900's my great great Grandfather was a sign writer and he used to use 24 Carot Gold leaf to write with, this envetably lead to some waste which he collected and traded in when he bought more leaf.

Somehow a pot of about 2 ounces of this gold 'dust' has been handed down to me, and I wondered what would be the best way to a) find out if it is indeed pure gold, it's certainly looks the part, has not tarnished at

all in 100 years in a tub, and I've no reason to suspect it is not, b) find out what it is worth  and c) where to sell it ?

Can anyone help please?

Thanks

Mark.

[dicker]

Interesting one!

Others will know better, but it may be best to approach someone like Baird who refine metals.

Thoughts TSF folks?

[Skyfiller]

I see from google

”Gold leaf is the basis of the gold ink used in Islamic calligraphy and Islamic manuscript illumination. The leaves are crushed in honey or gum arabic, then suspended in gelatinous water. Because the gold is not pulverized as in industrially produced metal inks, the resulting surface looks very much like solid gold.”

There must be a forum out there for that and hence a market?

[ShineyMagpie]

I do believe some gold leaf I made by hammering pure gold so thin, as to make it gold leaf.

Wondering if you could do a standard acid test as you would for gold jewelry to establish if its pure gold. I suppose them the question is, is it worth its weight in gold?, more than / less than? I'm not sure but certainly interesting.

[Fenlander1]

Watched a chap on you tube making glass signs he ground up 24ct gold leaf for paint maybe the same sort of stuff?

[Tn21]

I would say Baird is the way to go, most jewellers send their dust to them which gets refined.

[ZRPMs]

A large scrap yard should have a Niton Gun or some sort of XRF Analyzer. They should be able to tell you the exact make up of the metal. They may charge a small fee or if you catch them on a good day. Failing that Ring round the large dealers. I'm sure @LawrenceChard would have some thoughts on the matter.

[James32]

18 minutes ago, ZRPMs said:

A large scrap yard should have a Niton Gun or some sort of XRF Analyzer. They should be able to tell you the exact make up of the metal. They may charge a small fee or if you catch them on a good day. Failing that Ring round the large dealers. I'm sure @LawrenceChard would have some thoughts on the matter.

I not sure a xrf will tell you anything by pointing it at dust. Think the item needs to be more solid. 

I'd go with both @dicker and @Tn21's advice and contact bairdmint.com 

[markc939]

Thanks everyone for the responses, Ill try Baird I think.   I guess I could have something or nothing, guess I'll find out!

Thanks again,

I'll report back when I know.

Mark.

[dicker]

1 minute ago, markc939 said:

Thanks everyone for the responses, Ill try Baird I think.   I guess I could have something or nothing, guess I'll find out!

Thanks again,

I'll report back when I know.

Mark.

Thanks - it’s always good to know what happens!

[ZRPMs]

4 minutes ago, James32 said:

I not sure a xrf will tell you anything by pointing it at dust. Think the item needs to be more solid. 

I'd go with both @dicker and @Tn21's advice and contact bairdmint.com 

Your probably right. As @dicker and @Tn21 had mentioned Baird's, I just thought I'd add some other options that might be local. Wasn't sure if it would pick up the 2oz in a plastic tub. Baird's I think are the largest refiners in the UK. 

[Bigmarc]

A friend of the family does gold leaf on statues in London. The kids get £50 notes for Christmas and birthdays so I would say it was possible to do. Not sure how to ask him tho don't know him that well.

[Spyder]

It looks like you are in Birmingham, so trundle into jewelry quarters and you will get your answers. 

 

Lois Bullion: Sell Scrap Gold - Birmingham - Best Prices Paid

https://lois-bullion.com

 

 

 

This company has some of best buying prices in your area. Best of luck

Edited January 9, 2023 by Spyder

[LawrenceChard]

15 hours ago, ZRPMs said:

A large scrap yard should have a Niton Gun or some sort of XRF Analyzer. They should be able to tell you the exact make up of the metal. They may charge a small fee or if you catch them on a good day. Failing that Ring round the large dealers. I'm sure @LawrenceChard would have some thoughts on the matter.

 

14 hours ago, James32 said:

I not sure a xrf will tell you anything by pointing it at dust. Think the item needs to be more solid. 

I'd go with both @dicker and @Tn21's advice and contact bairdmint.com 

I would hesitate to test gold dust on our Niton, mainly because it could get messy, but it is something I ought to try in the interest of knowledge and experience.

Although we would buy it, the OP might as well try Baird.

I would be very cautious about testing "dust", as I have been watching His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.

😎

Edited January 10, 2023 by LawrenceChard

[ShineyMagpie]

58 minutes ago, LawrenceChard said:

cautious about testing "dust", as I have been watching His Dark Materials

Haha, not sure its that kind of dust!

[markc939]

No response from Baird yet, maybe they not interested in testing it 

Mark.

[Fenlander1]

I know they are quite busy at the moment. 3 week backlog on orders.

[markc939]

thanks

[TringSilver]

Betts are in Brum aren't they ? They do the same as Baird...

[markc939]

thanks I'll try them too

Mark.

[markc939]

literally can't get anyone to help with this ... @LawrenceChardinterested? or should be be trying to get it into a lump first ?

Mark.

Edited February 23, 2023 by markc939

[Bratnia]

https://goldmetalstore.com/product/real-gold-dust-for-sale/

Indicates that its the post-melt mass that's assayed.