After a year of crafting metal jewelry, your shop is filled with precious metal scrap, just waiting to be converted into cash or Rio Grande credit. Start 2009 with a clean workshop and a full wallet. Questions? Read below for a few frequently asked questions, or, for more answers, click on the Frequently Asked Questions link to the right.
Download the scrap metals return form now.

What kind of scrap can I return?

We accept silver, gold, gold-filled, palladium, fired PMC® and platinum items. We cannot accept base metal, electroplating solutions, photographic processing materials, cadmium-bearing alloys or sweeps (if you have sweep metal you wish to dispose of, please visit riogrande.com/sweepsforcerf for more information). Please do not send plated non-precious metal jewelry; we cannot recover the precious metal from this type of jewelry.

What is my scrap worth?

Silver Scrap:
For credit, solid fine and sterling silver scrap is calculated at 75% of the current silver market and applied to your Rio Grande account. (Note: Because sterling silver contains less pure silver by weight, and because we pay both sterling and fine silver at this percentage, you will actually receive payment in the equivalent of 81% for sterling silver). For cash, payments are calculated at 65% and sent to you in a check. Silver dust is paid (or credited) at 40% of current market.

Gold Scrap:
For credit, solid karat gold is calculated at 75% of the current gold value and applied to your Rio Grande account. For cash, payments are calculated at 65% and sent to you in a check. Gold-filled scrap is paid (or credited) at 1.89% of the current gold market (market price x .0189).

Palladium and Platinum Scrap:
Palladium and platinum scrap are paid (or credited) at 60% of their current metal value.

Important:  All payment/credit amounts are based on market value current on the day we settle your scrap return, regardless of when it was shipped or received. (Sorry, we cannot make payments to credit or debit cards.)

Important: Rio Grande reserves the right to physically alter the metal scrap in order to determine its purity. Please note your piece might be damaged or malformed during testing. Therefore if you request the piece be returned to you, it may not arrive in the same condition you sent it in.

How do I send in my scrap?

You will need to ship your scrap along with the scrap metals return form. Fill out the form completely and accurately to ensure a speedy transaction.

1) Separate scrap by metal type. Package each type separately in plastic bags. Note: Do not use tape or any other adhesive to seal the bag—scrap can get caught or stuck and may be overlooked.

2) Package all bags and your completed scrap metals return form in a box and ship it to us. Use any shipping method you choose; UPS is preferable for larger shipments. We recommend insuring your package, regardless of its size.

Send the box to:
Attention: Returns
Rio Grande
7500 Bluewater Rd.
Albuquerque, NM 87121

3) A copy of your transaction (your invoice) will be mailed to you. On this invoice, you will find the type and weight of the scrap we received from you, the rate(s) at which it was paid and the total payment (or credit).

IMPORTANT: Please review your invoice immediately. Any disputes regarding metal purity, weight or payment amount must be reported within 14 days from the date on the invoice.

Refining your scrap metals is an easy way to recycle your materials and recover costs. Please follow the guidelines above to make this process quick and easy and to maximize profitability for your business.