mobile?Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Value of Gold Potassium Cyanide
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Q. I have one 1/4 oz. unopened bottle of Gold Potassium Cyanide (Purified) purchased from Fisher Scientific quite a few years ago. I originally bought it to use for plating various items for resale, but lost interest in the project before using up my first bottle. I just found it while basement cleaning, and decided to stop risking the possibility of children discovering it. I'm assuming a local Gold Plating Service could use it and I'd like to get an idea what I can ask for it. 1/4 ounce would be about 8 grams, so I guess I have 2 questions: what is this bottle worth, and, what is the best way to try to sell it?
Thanks...
Plating Shop Hobbyist - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
August 24, 2009
A. Hi, John. Ask nearby jewelers if they can use it, or list it on eBay . Plating companies will not be interested in 1/4 ounce quantities. The bottle should say either how concentrated or dilute the solution is, or how much gold is in it. If it's dry salts, pure potassium gold cyanide is KAu(CN)2, so you can figure the gold percentage based on atomic weights as:
197.2 / (39.1 + 197.2 + 12x2 + 14x2) = 68.4%
If you can't get rid of it, look for your city or county's free hazardous chemical collection. Sorry, but we can't put you in contact with buyers, because a free eBay would be overwhelmed with sellers and spam overnight.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. If the gold is in powder form (pgc salts), and the weight of the gold metal is 1/4 troy oz, the value would be around $235.00. Ted has a good idea trying a local jeweler or eBay . I don't know anyone else that would be interested. Remember, you may have to prove what you have through (AA) atomic absorption [on eBay or Amazon (adv.)], or a quick assay before you sell. Good Luck!
Mark BakerFellow Plater - Syracuse, NY, USA
I would like to know what this stuff is worth: Grandpa passed away in 2007 and we have 6 little medicine looking bottles (small) of Potassium Gold Cyanide. Some say 1 Troy Oz., other say 67% ... what's all that mean?? and do they follow the gold markets in value?
Thanks, Bill
Personal - Grapevine, Texas
June 11, 2011
A. Hi Bill. Potassium gold cyanide is about 67% gold, so that's surely what they are alluding to. I think you're best off trying to find a reputable refiner.
This is
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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