In response to your H&S horror story, I thought I’d send along a plug
for my favorite gold suppliers here on the left coast of the USA -
Precious Metals West. They have a web site at http://www.preciousmetalswest.com/ and although I don’t use anywhere
near the quantity that some of our Orchidites do, they have always
been prompt and extraordinarily helpful to me, including spending
quite a bit of time on the phone with me discussing which one of
their 26 colors / formulations of gold would be what I wanted. Of
course they have silver, platinum, and all kinds of solders too.
Oh - their phone is 800-999-7528. and I’m not related, etc., just a
happy customer.
for my favorite gold suppliers here on the left coast of the USA -
Precious Metals West.
Ivy and all:
I had my own set of problems with PM West…I am not going to go
into the whole story, but, I won’t be doing business with them again.
It cost me time, frustration and money. I will say in their favor
they did apologize several times. Though I really was hoping they
didn’t have to apologize so many times. I can forgive one error on
an order, but several errors on one order…that is too much letter
writing and mailing for me. Since we are on the subject. I have been
looking for another refiner. I don’t have a lot when I do send out to
refine, so I am looking for a refiner that works with smaller amounts
of materials, produces fine silver sheet, knows how to follow written
directions and if they can’t fulfill the order, calls first before
sending the order so an alternative can be discussed.
Thanks in advance. Orchid has been a wealth of for me.
Linda Crawford Linda Crawford Designs Willits, CA http://www.lindacrawforddesigns.com
“Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.”
I have been using David H Fell Inc. for 10 years. They are fast and
have good prices and their refining is fair and honest. I would try
them if you are looking for a new source.
jim
James Binnion Metal Arts
@James_Binnion
Member of the Better Business Bureau
Try Hauser & Miller in St. Louis. They have refined small amounts of
silver and gold for me and have fine silver sheets. They are a delight
to work with and very accommodating. Call 1-800 555 1212 (800
directory) and they will give you Hauser’s 800 number.
I have used United Refining in upstate NY for the past million years.
The yields have been consistent and their product base and technical
advice have saved my a$$ on many occasions. They can be reached at
1-800-999-fine. Ask for Angelo Lorenzo for their catalog ( has a ton
of good tips in it). Tell Angelo that Teddybear sent you. I have no
interest in the company, only a very old and satisfied customer. TBear
I have been using David H Fell Inc. for 10 years. They are fast
and have good prices and their refining is fair and honest. I would
try them if you are looking for a new source.
I really like their patterned sheet and the gold solders I have
tried. However, their understanding of standard milled products seems
to be lacking. As I was placing an order with DHF for patterned sheet I
decided to also order some fine silver bezel wire that I was short on.
I was surprised that the person taking the order asked me to hold
while he checked to see if they could supply bezel wire in the
(standard) width I requested. When the order came, instead of a coil,
there were numerous strips of sterling (not fine silver), the strips
were torqued as they had been cut from sheet on a bench shear and the
width was uneven down the length. When I called, they tried to assure
me it was fine silver and what I had ordered!
After that experience, I am not sure why I later risked asking them
for 3 feet of x-gauge 1/2 round wire with another order, but I did.
As delivered, it was the proper item but was cut in 3 separate strips
of 1 foot each! Won’t happen again.
I would recommend DHFell, too. The staff answering the phone doesn’t
always seem that responsive but they have always gotten my order
right. FWIW, the catalog does specify that bezel comes in one foot
maximum lengths. I do wish they would print examples of their color
golds, but they have been great about matching my questions with the
appropriate product. They also don’t mind that I place small orders.
The only thing I would say against them is that they seem unable to
give anything except a very approximate ship date. Since I never need
anything immediately, and the order always arrives in an acceptable
timeframe, it’s not a problem for me.