Blog

When it comes to processing precious metals, terms like “refinery” and “smelter” are often used interchangeably—but they’re not the same. Understanding the difference between the two can help individuals and businesses alike make more informed decisions about how and where they sell or recycle their gold. Whether you're a jeweler, pawnbroker, investor, or simply someone with scrap to sell, knowing who does what in the precious metals chain can affect your returns. 

If you've ever wondered how professionals determine the exact value of gold or silver in jewelry, coins, or scrap materials, the answer often lies in a method called fire assay. Known for its exceptional accuracy, fire assay has remained the most trusted way to test precious metals for centuries.

Whether you're a jeweler, a pawnbroker, an investor, or just someone with an eye for gold, Mexican gold coins are worth paying attention to. They carry lasting value backed by both their gold content and their heritage. Known for their strong gold purity and detailed design, these coins hold their own as investment pieces or resale inventory. They're a smart, practical addition for businesses in the precious metals space. When you understand what they're made of and how the market responds to them, you're in a better position to make decisions that pay off. 

When selling your material to Mid-States Recycling, we may ask whether you want to "hedge" or "lock" your metal. But what do these terms mean?

What Does It Mean to Hedge or Lock?

In precious metal refining and trading, these terms refer to setting a price for your material based on the current market value.

Determining the value of your gold is now easier than ever with Mid-States Recycling's Karat Calculator. Understanding its purity and value is essential if you're a business dealing in precious metals or looking to sell gold. Our gold calculator, designed for accuracy and convenience, is here to help.

What Is a Karat and Why Does It Matter?

As National Gold Day approaches, we at Mid-States Recycling want to recognize the importance of gold in the pawnbroking industry. Gold has long been a staple in the pawnbroking business, offering stability and value to both brokers and customers. This day provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on how gold can continue to enhance your business.

Creating and repairing fine jewelry generates valuable scrap through buffing, polishing, and manufacturing processes. Mid-States Recycling & Refining offers specialized services to recover precious metals from these materials, using advanced incineration and milling equipment to ensure optimal returns.

Efficient Incineration Process

When it comes to processing and refining silver, size truly matters. Mid-States Recycling & Refining excels in handling large-scale silver shipments. Whether dealing with sterling silver scrap or large industrial loads, we have the capacity and expertise to meet all processing needs.

Mid-States Recycling & Refining's Diamond Recovery Lab is renowned for its meticulous approach to recovering and refining diamonds and gemstones, ensuring that clients receive the best possible return on their materials so that the clarity, cut, and quality of each gemstone is retained. 

Advanced Recovery Techniques

An accurate assessment is paramount for pawnbrokers and jewelers looking to refine their precious metals. Knowing the true value of your metals is essential for maximizing returns. This is where assaying comes into play. In this blog post, we'll get into the intricacies of assaying and how Mid-States ensures accuracy and transparency in the assaying process.

Introduction to Assaying and Its Significance

Precious metals hold an allure that extends far beyond their monetary value. For jewelers and pawnbrokers, these metals make up the foundation of the trade. But what happens when a piece loses its luster, breaks, or becomes outdated? This is where the art of refining comes into play. In this blog post, we dive into the essentials of precious metal refining. We’ll highlight the importance of choosing a reliable refiner and showcase the refining process at Mid-States Recycling & Refining.

In the realm of precious metals, diamonds and gemstones are often overlooked treasures. However, many jewelers and pawnbrokers may not realize that these sparkling gems can significantly enhance the value of their refined metals. In this blog post, we'll explore the world of diamond and gemstone recovery, its importance in refining, Mid-States' approach to gemstone recovery, and how it can increase the value of refined metals.

Mid-States has a proud legacy of supporting trade associations in the industries that we serve, and look forward to seeing you at regional and national shows and events this year! 
 

The California Pawnbrokers Association hosted its 66th Annual Convention & Expo October 21-23, 2022 in Universal City. Jack Brown was invited to speak on the science behind refining and offered a glimpse through the smoke so that attendees can make more informed decisions regarding their refining process. He shared a long list of specific recommendations with the group, including these three: 
 

In March 2023, pawn industry leaders from across the country will gather in beautiful Vail, Colorado for an unprecedented and exclusive event—the first of its kind. Attendees will enjoy daily breakfasts, fresh and relevant educational sessions, plenty of time on the slopes, apres-ski cocktails, and a grand dinner on the final evening together. 

Space is extremely limited and more information is available at elevatepawn.com. 

In a recent Moneyshow.com article, Mary Anne and Pamela Aden share "So it’s no wonder the markets are feeling overwhelmed and confused. It’s a complicated and unique time, and one we can’t remember being similar, except perhaps the 2008 financial crisis and the bursting of the 2000 tech stock bubble."

Our team was honored to attend the Midwest Pawn Convention, particularly since our own Jack Brown was given this prestigious award.

We were moved by his speech and wanted to share it with you as well: