Silver Smelting & Refining: From Powder to Market-Ready Bars

Question
QUESTION: Peter, I have silver in powdered form recovered from photo chemical solutions. How do i make it into a bar to be sold in the market?

ANSWER: HI RAGHURAMAN,

YOU NEED A SMELTING FURNACE THAT WILL REACH 2000 DEGREES FARENHEIT TO MELT THE POWDER. HOWEVER NOT MANY BUYERS WILL BUY HOME SMELTED SILVER. YOU WOULD NEED TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL GOLD AND SILVER SMELTING COMPANY MAKE IT INTO BARS WITH THEIR QUALITY STAMP ON IT. YOU MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BUY UNREFINED SILVER BUT AT A VERY DISCOUNTED PRICE. THE REFINERS WILL GIVE YOU A FAIR PRICE AND RETURN THE SILVER TO YOU LESS THEIR FEES. WITH SILVER PRICES SO HIGH IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO NOT HAVE IT REFINED AND SMELTED INTO BARS FOR THE HIGHEST RETURN.

PETER

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Peter, Thanks for your prompt inputs. Now, how do i contact a professional smelter? Do you have any contacts in Chennai, India?

Answer
HI AGAIN,

YOU WILL HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE IN YOUR AREA THAT REFINES GOLD AND SILVER. I'M SORRY I DON'T KNOW ANYONE THAT CAN DO IT IN INDIA. THERE ARE GOLD DEALERS EVERYWHERE IN INDIA START ASKING THEM. THEY WILL WANT TO DO IT FOR YOU AND MAKE A PROFIT. TRY TO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE REFINERS SO YOU WILL GET THE BULK OF THE SILVER. GOOD LUCK

PETER