Spring is finally here, and we’re all in on the whole Spring cleaning vibe. It’s time to throw open the windows, clean out the attic, and spruce up the house! And while you’re at it, why not make a little extra cash?  Believe it or not, some everyday items in your house might actually be precious metal treasures containing gold, silver, platinum or palladium. So while you’re sweeping up the floors, you could also be sweeping up profit!

Here are some common household items that may hold surprising hidden value:

Silverware and Tableware

vintage silverware

This is a good place to start. Many families have silverware sets that have been passed down through generations, or that they received as wedding gifts…and then rarely used. To check if that silverware is made of real silver, look for markings like “Sterling” or “925” (which means 92.5% pure silver). Old tea sets, trays, and candleholders might also be made of silver or silver-plated materials.

Jewelry

table full of old watches and jewelry

Beyond obvious items of value like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and pins made of precious metals, check those old watches before throwing them out. Vintage watches sometimes have platinum or gold parts in their mechanisms. And don’t overlook jewelry that’s broken or dull…that tarnished finish may just indicate that it’s real silver!

Dental Work

gold and silver crowns from teeth

If you’ve ever had crowns or fillings removed and put them away in a little box somewhere, they could be worth their weight in gold (or silver and palladium)! Dentists often use high-quality metal alloys for dental work, and you can definitely get cash for those precious metals.

Coins

jar of old coins

Check your coin jar or old piggy bank! Certain coins, like pre-1965 U.S. dimes, quarters, and half-dollars, contain 90% silver. Rare finds like gold commemorative coins, or coins with accidental variations or mistakes when minted could also be hiding in plain sight.

A great way to cash in on your Spring cleaning treasures is to take them to your local pawnbroker. At Noble Metal Refining, we support the pawnbroker community! Pawnbrokers can learn more about our precious metal refining services HERE