Buying 24k gold and alloying

Jewelry Discussion
1

Would it be economical to consider buying (24k) gold from Kitco in
coin or 1oz bar form (?) and then the appropriate alloys to make 18k
and 22k from Rio, Hauser Miller, PM West, Stebco (?) etc… to
keep on hand so that I can cast small amounts throughout the year
instead of ordering small amounts of each grain when the need
arises? When I’ve taken some scrap 14k and combined it with the
Magic Cast (5%)product and added 24k (5%) to raise the karat back to
14k, mixed this in the crucible and cast that, I could notice places
on the casting that looked like higher karat areas. Perhaps I don’t
know how to mix this? I mixed with a carbon rod. Or do I need to mix
and pour several times first? If this is a sensible thing to do I’d
like to buy the 1 ounce of 24k before the year is up for tax
purposes. With gold being the price it is now is this a good idea or
not? Thank you knowledgeable Orchid people for your great advice
in advance! Annette

2

I do just that, but with the exception of white gold which can be
tricky. United white gold alloys play nice BTW… Same with Rose
Gold, terrible stuff to torch melt.

When I've taken some scrap 14k and combined it with the Magic Cast
(5%)product and added 24k (5%) to raise the karat back to 14k,
mixed this in the crucible and cast that, I could notice places on
the casting that looked like higher karat areas. Perhaps I don't
know how to mix this? I mixed with a carbon rod. Or do I need to
mix and pour several times first?

Maybe you’re not getting it quite hot enough. Do you drag the carbon
rod through the center and see if you pull up any 24k solids? You
might try melting the 24k first, slowly and gently adding the other
lower melting point ingredients.

If this is a sensible thing to do I'd like to buy the 1 ounce of
24k before the year is up for tax purposes. With gold being the
price it is now is this a good idea or not? Thank you knowledgeable
Orchid people for your great advice in advance! Annette

Instead of bar gold, purchase 24k grain so you can weigh it more
easily.

Jeffrey Everett