Gold Melting & Weight Loss: Is It Normal? - Financial & Jewelry Insights

Question
My finance took two pieces of gold jewelry and had them melted down to make one ring. The total weigh of the pieces was 7 ounces before the melting process. She was told that the ring  would be less since it is normal to lose weigh in the melting of the rings. The weight of the ring now is 6 ounces. Is this normal?

Answer
Check to see if any stones where removed. If not, then check to see if it is the same karat gold. It is possible to remove base metal or alloy from the gold but this would result in you having a higher karat fineness in exchange for the loss of weight. If the karat fineness is the same some one may have cheated you.


Thanks for writing

Arthur DeMello GG (GIA)
http://www.nationalgemologicallaboratory.com