PMs General Thread

[ForgeCorvus]

I'm thinking of buying them as non-CGT bullion... Also checking prices of fractional Britannias as I can't reach whole oz

[pseudonym]

I'm thinking of buying them as non-CGT bullion... Also checking prices of fractional Britannias as I can't reach whole oz

I have both fractional gold and silver, much like yourself, when the prices went up troy ounce size went down.

Silver 1/10th are my "fivers" and 1/4 Oz my "tenners"

[ForgeCorvus]

Ported over from the "Spot Prices" thread so as to not clutter it up too badly

Its getting crazy on the pre-owned market, I'm seeing £45+ for Rounds and Bars and people are still bidding.

I've been mostly buying old Sterling and half-silver

My portfolio is telling me my returns are 56% for both Gold and Silver atm.

If I wasn't stacking for other reasons I'd cash in now.

I've been looking at some of the oddities and fractionals in the stack and wondering if I shouldn't offer them up for sale, then I could consolidate into Brits or Old Sterling...... Or maybe put the cash towards Au

I've bought some weird stuff since I started just because the price was good. Now theres a bit of a silver-rush on and all sorts of things are popping out of the woodwork

[pseudonym]

Whatever your decision, it's correct for you.

I would always have fractional silver and or gold as it's easier to "split"

[GeraldTheBonzai]

Not PM per se, but possibly the best topic..

Anyone got any tips / recommendations for polishing gold? Looking to clean up some gold (9k) rings.

[GillyBee]

I did evening classes a while ago. Mostly silver but polishing gold follows the same rules. Is the gold scratched up or just a bit dull? The usual cleanup process is to use progressively finer grade files/sanding/polish starting with something that is just enough to replace the existing scratches with smaller ones and always working at 90 degrees to the marks. (i.e. swap direction every change of grade)

If you are not feeling too precious about the rings and just want to try a basic buff, try some T-Cut car polish on a cotton cloth and rub away.

For a full process you do the following:
Shape the metal.
Use Micromesh working from 400 grade through 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 grades etc until you are happy.
Finish with polishing compound - rouge is the final one for a mirror finish. Dialux is a good brand.

Be very very careful if trying to use power tools. Polishing on a wheel is notorious for causing injuries.

I got my micromesh set from a car polishing supplier on Fleabay. Cookson Gold sell specialist supplies online to the public and small scale maker but can feel overwhelming for choice.

[GeraldTheBonzai]

These are rings that have been worn and are fairly scratched. Nothing excessive - just normal wear and tear. Very little reflection, even if given a good polish with a cloth.

[GillyBee]

In that case it will be micromesh but you may get away starting with a higher grade mesh/paper. Some jewellers use wet and dry sandpaper so you could use that if you have any. It is a very similar process to car body repair polishing and uses much the same supplies and grades of abrasive.
Just keep polish and mesh/paper away from any set stones or it will ruin them.