Dental Gold vs. Jewelry Gold: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to selling gold, not all gold is created equal. Dental gold and jewelry gold may look similar, but they have key differences that affect their value, composition, and how they’re processed. Whether you’re a dental professional with scrap crowns or someone with unwanted jewelry, understanding these differences can help you get the best value for your items.

What Is Dental Gold?

Dental gold is used in crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and other dental restorations. Unlike pure gold, dental gold is almost always an alloy—a mix of gold and other metals like platinum, palladium, silver, or copper. This combination gives dental gold the strength and durability needed to withstand years of chewing and wear.

• Typical Purity: Dental gold can range from about 8 karat (33.3% gold) to as high as 18 karat (over 75% gold), but most dental gold is 12 karat (50% gold) or less.

• Other Metals: The mix of metals can include precious metals (like platinum or palladium) or base metals (like silver or copper), depending on the type of restoration and the dentist’s preference.

What Is Jewelry Gold?

Jewelry gold is designed for beauty and wearability. Most gold jewelry is also an alloy, but the metals used are chosen for color, shine, and workability.

• Typical Purity: Common jewelry karats are 10k (41.7% gold), 14k (58.5% gold), and 18k (75% gold). Pure 24k gold is rare in jewelry because it’s too soft.

• Other Metals: Jewelry gold may be alloyed with silver, copper, nickel, or zinc to achieve different colors (yellow, white, rose) and hardness.

Key Differences

Feature	Dental Gold	Jewelry Gold
Purpose	Strength & durability for teeth	Appearance & style for adornment
Purity	10k–22k (most often 16k or less)	10k, 14k, 18k (rarely 24k)
Alloy Metals	Platinum, palladium, silver, etc.	Silver, copper, nickel, zinc
Appearance	Often dull, may look “used”	Polished, designed for beauty
Value	Based on gold + other precious metals	Based mostly on gold content

Why Does It Matter When Selling?

• Testing & Valuation: Dental gold must be tested to determine its exact composition, as it varies widely. Jewelry gold is often stamped with its karat value, making it easier to assess.

• Processing: Dental gold often needs refining to separate the gold from other metals. Jewelry gold is usually melted for its gold content.

• Pricing: Both are valuable, but dental gold may have added value if it contains platinum or palladium. However, dental gold’s value is less obvious to the untrained eye.

Selling Dental Gold or Jewelry Gold?

At SellMyDentalScrap.com, we have the expertise to test, evaluate, refine and pay top dollar for both dental and jewelry gold. We use transparent methods and current market prices to ensure you get the best value—whether you’re a dental office with scrap or an individual with unwanted jewelry.

Ready to find out what your gold is worth?

Request your free, fully insured mailing pack today, and let our team handle the rest!