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Value of 1/4 ounce of Gold Potassium Cyanide

August 24, 2009

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...

John Fox
Plating Shop Hobbyist - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

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Hi, John. Ask the closest jewelers if they can use it, or list it on eBay . Plating companies will not be interested in 1/4 ounce of plating solution. The bottle should say how pure or how dilute the solution is, but pure potassium gold cyanide is KAu(CN)2, so you can figure the gold percentage based on atomic weights. If you can't get rid of it, look for your city or county's free hazardous chemical collection. We can't be a free eBay or we'd be overwhelmed overnight -- so, sorry, but we cannot put you in contact with buyers.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 25, 2009

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], or a quick assay before you sell. Good Luck!

Mark Baker
Fellow Plater - Syracuse, NY, USA
August 27, 2009

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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

Bill Loeb
Personal - Grapevine, Texas
June 11, 2011