You might be sitting on a small fortune without even knowing it. While most folks in Georgia think about selling gold jewelry when they need quick cash, there’s actually a whole world of unusual gold items hiding in plain sight throughout your home. From that old dental crown sitting in your medicine cabinet to the vintage electronics gathering dust in your garage, these overlooked treasures could put real money in your pocket today.
The gold buying industry has exploded across Georgia in recent years, with shops popping up everywhere from downtown Atlanta to small towns like Dahlonega, our state’s historic gold rush city. But here’s what makes things interesting: these buyers aren’t just looking for rings and necklaces anymore. They’re actively seeking out the weird, the forgotten, and the downright strange gold items that most people never even consider selling.
The Surprising World of Dental Gold
Let’s start with something that makes some people squeamish but could be worth serious money: dental gold. Those old crowns, bridges, and even gold teeth that you or a family member might have tucked away are actually quite valuable. Dental gold typically ranges from 10 to 22 karats, making it significantly more valuable than you might expect.
Here in Georgia, particularly in larger cities like Atlanta, Augusta, and Columbus, specialized gold buyers have started specifically advertising for dental gold. Why? Because it’s often purer than standard jewelry. Dentists have used gold in dental work for over a century because it doesn’t corrode, doesn’t cause allergic reactions, and lasts practically forever. That old crown from your grandfather could easily be worth $50 to $200, depending on its size and gold content.
Many Georgians have inherited boxes of old dental work from deceased relatives and had no idea what to do with them. One buyer in Marietta told me about a family who brought in a small tin of dental gold that had been sitting in an attic for twenty years. They walked out with over $800. The beauty of dental gold is that it doesn’t need to be in perfect condition. Even broken pieces or partial crowns have value based purely on their gold content.
Electronic Gold Mines in Your Junk Drawer
Your old electronics are literally gold mines, though most people have no clue about this. Computer processors, especially older ones from the 1990s and early 2000s, contain significant amounts of gold in their pins and connectors. Those ancient desktop computers taking up space in your basement? They might be worth more than you paid for them originally, just for the gold content alone.
Circuit boards from old cell phones, particularly those brick phones from the 1980s and early flip phones, contain gold-plated components. Even old calculators, especially high-end scientific and graphing calculators, have gold contacts. Here in tech-heavy areas like Atlanta’s Perimeter Center and Alpharetta, electronic gold recovery has become a legitimate business. Some buyers specialize exclusively in electronic scrap, and they know exactly which components contain the most gold.
Gaming systems are another unexpected source. Vintage gaming cartridges, especially for systems like the original Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Atari, have gold-plated connectors. While you might want to check if your games are worth more as collectibles first, damaged or common games can still yield gold value from their connectors. One gold buyer in Savannah mentioned purchasing a box of broken Nintendo cartridges from a former video game store owner and recovering several grams of gold from the connectors alone.
Watches and Timepieces Beyond the Obvious
Everyone knows that gold watches are valuable, but there’s more to watch gold than meets the eye. Watch bands, even when the watch itself is broken or missing, often contain substantial gold. Those stretchy vintage watch bands that were popular in the 1950s through 1970s? Many are gold-filled or gold-plated and have significant value.
Watch cases, even from non-functioning watches, are often solid gold or gold-filled. Pocket watches passed down through Georgia families for generations frequently contain more gold than modern watches. The cases, chains, and fobs can all be gold. Even watch parts like hands, crowns, and internal components in luxury watches can be gold.
What really surprises people is that even broken watches or watches with missing parts still have value if they contain gold. A Columbus resident recently sold a collection of her late husband’s broken watches that had been sitting in a drawer for fifteen years. She’d kept them for sentimental reasons but finally decided to sell when she learned they were worth over $1,200 just for the gold content.
Military Memorabilia and Medals
This is a sensitive area, and you should always check the historical and sentimental value before selling, but certain military items contain real gold. Military buttons from Civil War era uniforms, particularly Confederate officers’ buttons, were sometimes made with gold gilt. Ceremonial swords and sabers often have gold-plated hilts and guards.
Some military medals and insignia contain gold, especially older ones or those from foreign militaries. Wings, badges, and pins given to pilots and other specialized military personnel sometimes feature gold. However, it’s crucial to research these items carefully. Many have historical value far exceeding their gold content, especially here in Georgia with our rich Civil War and military history.
Before selling any military items, consider having them appraised by both a historian and a gold buyer. Museums in Atlanta, Columbus (home to Fort Benning), and other Georgia cities might be interested in purchasing historically significant items for more than their gold value. The key is knowing what you have before you sell it.
Unusual Jewelry and Accessories
Beyond traditional jewelry, there’s a whole category of gold items people forget about. Cufflinks, especially vintage ones, often contain substantial gold. Tie clips, tie tacks, and collar stays from the mid-20th century frequently feature gold. Money clips, particularly those given as corporate gifts or retirement presents, are often gold or gold-plated.
Belt buckles represent another overlooked source of gold. Those huge, ornate belt buckles that were popular in the 1970s and 1980s? Many contain real gold, especially ones that were given as awards or commemoratives. Rodeo buckles, corporate achievement buckles, and military buckles often feature gold plating or gold overlays.
Even eyeglasses can contain gold. Vintage frames, particularly from luxury brands or those made before the 1980s, sometimes have gold-filled or solid gold frames. The tiny screws and hinges in high-end glasses can be gold too. One optometry shop in Athens collected old frames for years and eventually sold the gold-containing ones for several thousand dollars.
Coins and Currency Beyond the Obvious
While gold coins are an obvious source of gold, many people don’t realize which coins actually contain gold. Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are particularly valuable, not just for their gold content but often for their numismatic value too. However, even damaged or heavily worn gold coins that have lost their collectible value still retain their gold value.
Foreign gold coins are often overlooked. Mexican pesos, Canadian maple leafs, South African krugerrands, and British sovereigns all contain significant gold. Many Georgia residents inherited foreign gold coins from relatives who traveled or served overseas and have no idea of their value. Even some commemorative coins that people bought from TV advertisements or magazines contain real gold, though usually less than advertised.
Paper money can even contain gold in rare cases. Some commemorative bills and certain foreign currencies have gold leaf or gold threads. While these aren’t common, they do exist and can be worth investigating if you have unusual paper money in your collection.
Art and Decorative Objects
Gold leaf appears in more places than you might think. Old picture frames, especially ornate ones from the Victorian era through the 1920s, often have real gold leaf rather than gold paint. Religious items like crosses, rosaries, and ceremonial objects frequently contain gold. Even some old books have gold leaf on their spines or covers.
Decorative objects from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods often incorporated gold. Cigarette cases, compact mirrors, pill boxes, and snuff boxes from these eras frequently feature gold. Fountain pens, especially luxury brands like Montblanc, Parker, and Waterman, sometimes have gold nibs and trim. The nibs alone can be worth $50 to $200 depending on the gold content.
One surprising source is old trophies and awards. Many corporate awards, sports trophies, and academic honors from decades past used real gold plating. While the gold layer might be thin, larger trophies can still yield meaningful amounts. A high school in Macon recently sold their damaged and outdated trophies from the storage room and raised several hundred dollars just from the gold content.
The Gold Selling Process in Georgia
If you’re ready to turn these unusual items into cash, understanding the selling process helps you get the best price. Georgia law requires gold buyers to be licensed and to hold items for a certain period before melting or reselling them. This protects you if items turn out to be stolen or if you change your mind.
Start by gathering all your potential gold items and sorting them by type. Electronic gold should be kept separate from dental gold, which should be separate from jewelry items. This organization helps buyers evaluate your items more efficiently and ensures nothing gets overlooked.
Get multiple quotes. Gold prices fluctuate daily, but the price offered can vary significantly between buyers. In metro Atlanta, you might find dozens of gold buyers within a short drive. In smaller Georgia towns, you might need to check neighboring communities or consider mail-in gold buyers, though in-person transactions are generally preferable.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Many gold buyers expect some haggling and build it into their initial offers. If you’ve done your homework and know the current spot price of gold, you’re in a better position to negotiate. Remember that buyers need to make a profit, so you won’t get full spot price, but you should expect to receive 70% to 85% of the gold’s value for common items.
Consider timing your sale. Gold prices fluctuate based on economic conditions, international events, and market speculation. While you can’t time the market perfectly, selling during periods of economic uncertainty often yields higher prices as gold is seen as a safe haven investment.
Testing and Verification
Legitimate gold buyers in Georgia will test your items in front of you. The most common tests include the scratch test, where a small mark is made on a testing stone and tested with acid, and electronic testing, which uses conductivity to determine gold content. Some buyers also use X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machines that can determine gold content without damaging the item.
Be wary of buyers who want to take your items to a back room for testing or who won’t explain their testing process. Reputable buyers are transparent about their methods and happy to educate sellers. They should also be willing to show you their licenses and explain how they calculated their offer.
For unusual items like electronic scrap or dental gold, specialized buyers often pay more than general gold buyers because they have established relationships with refiners who process these specific materials. It’s worth seeking out these specialists, especially for larger quantities.
Red Flags to Avoid
Watch out for buyers who pressure you to sell immediately or who claim their offer is only good for the next few minutes. Legitimate buyers understand that selling gold is a significant decision and won’t rush you. Be cautious of pop-up gold buyers who set up temporary shops in hotels or strip malls. While some are legitimate, others disappear quickly if problems arise.
Avoid buyers who won’t provide clear documentation of the transaction. Georgia law requires detailed receipts that include the buyer’s license information, description of items sold, weight, and price paid. This documentation protects both you and the buyer and is required for tax purposes if you sell significant amounts.
Be skeptical of online gold buyers who require you to send your gold before providing a firm quote. While some reputable mail-in services exist, many sellers report receiving offers far below what they expected after their gold was already shipped. If you do use a mail-in service, ensure they offer free return shipping if you decline their offer.
The Environmental and Economic Impact
Selling your unusual gold items has benefits beyond just putting cash in your pocket. Recycling gold reduces the need for environmentally destructive gold mining. Gold mining is one of the most environmentally damaging industries in the world, using toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury while destroying landscapes and polluting water sources.
Here in Georgia, we have a unique perspective on gold mining’s impact. The gold rush in Dahlonega and other North Georgia towns in the 1830s left environmental scars that are still visible today. By recycling gold from existing items, we reduce demand for new mining and help preserve environments around the world.
Economically, the gold buying industry provides jobs and tax revenue throughout Georgia. From the small independent shops in rural towns to the larger operations in Atlanta and other cities, these businesses contribute to local economies. When you sell gold locally, that money typically stays in the community, supporting other local businesses.
Making the Most of Your Gold Selling Experience
Document everything before you sell. Take photos of all items, especially anything with potential historical or sentimental value. This documentation helps for insurance purposes and creates a record of what you owned. For electronic items, note any model numbers or identifying information that might help establish value beyond just the gold content.
Consider having particularly unusual or potentially valuable items professionally appraised before selling them for gold content. The small cost of an appraisal could save you from selling something worth far more as a collectible or antique than as scrap gold. This is especially important for coins, military items, and vintage jewelry.
If you have large quantities of electronic scrap, consider partnering with others to accumulate more before selling. Some electronic gold buyers offer better prices for larger quantities because it makes their processing more efficient. Local computer repair shops, schools upgrading their technology, or businesses disposing of old equipment might be willing to combine shipments.
Think strategically about timing if you’re not in immediate need of cash. Gold prices tend to rise during economic uncertainty, international conflicts, or when inflation concerns increase. Following gold prices for a few weeks can help you identify trends and potentially get a better price for your items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I tell if my unusual items actually contain gold, or if they’re just gold-plated or gold-colored?
A: There are several ways to check if items contain real gold. Look for hallmarks or stamps like 10k, 14k, 18k, or 24k, which indicate gold content. For items without markings, a magnet test can help – gold isn’t magnetic, so if a strong magnet attracts your item, it’s not solid gold (though it could still be gold-plated over a magnetic metal). The most reliable method is professional testing. Many gold buyers in Georgia offer free testing, even if you decide not to sell. For electronic items, older components (pre-2000) generally contain more gold than newer ones. Dental gold is almost always real gold if it was professionally installed by a dentist. When in doubt, have items professionally tested rather than assuming they’re worthless.
Q: Is it legal to sell dental gold from deceased relatives in Georgia, and do I need any special documentation?
A: Yes, it’s completely legal to sell dental gold from deceased relatives in Georgia. You don’t need special documentation to prove ownership of dental gold, as it’s considered personal property that passes to heirs like any other belongings. However, reputable gold buyers will require you to show a valid ID and sign a statement that you’re the rightful owner of the items you’re selling. They’re required by Georgia law to keep records of all purchases and hold items for a specified period before processing them. If the dental gold is part of an estate that’s still in probate, you should check with the executor before selling. Most gold buyers in Georgia are familiar with dental gold purchases and can walk you through their specific requirements.
Q: What’s the difference between selling unusual gold items to a local buyer versus using an online or mail-in service?
A: Local buyers in Georgia offer several advantages: you get paid immediately, can negotiate face-to-face, and can walk away if you don’t like the offer. You also avoid shipping risks and can see exactly how your items are tested and weighed. Local buyers might offer better prices for unusual items because they can examine them directly and might have specialized knowledge about certain types of gold items. Online or mail-in services might offer convenience if you don’t have good local options, but they come with risks. You have to ship your gold before getting a firm offer, returns can be complicated if you reject their price, and you lose the ability to negotiate effectively. Some online services do offer better prices for certain items, particularly electronic scrap in large quantities, but for most sellers in Georgia’s cities and towns, local buyers remain the better option for unusual gold items.