How Do I Melt Down Scrap Gold to Purify It Using Common Materials?
You can melt scrap gold at home to purify it using a few specialized tools and some common materials you can purchase at your local hardware store. Pure gold is 24 karats and has a melting point of 1,940 degrees Fahrenheit. If a piece of gold jewelry is labeled as having less than 24 karats (e.g., 14 karats), it means the jewelry piece is an alloy containing other metals in addition to gold to make it stronger. Gold dust and flakes obtained from prospecting is known as “fine” gold and it usually contains some impurities that need to be flushed out with a flux mixture. The flux also keeps the fine gold from blowing away when a blow torch is turned on it. Protect yourself before you begin by donning heat-resistant gloves, glasses or goggles, and a respirator face mask. Put your scrap gold in the crucible until it is completely full. A crucible used for melting gold looks similar to a bowl with no lid or top on it. Add a few pinches of sodium carbonate and a few pinches of Borax for your
