Koftgari Scrap Gold Melt Value?

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Battara

IMHO the gold from koftgari is so thin that it is not worth the effort. I would even question digging out gold inlay as well.

EXACTLY!

Absolutely pointless to try to collect the gold from the koftgari as you would end up with only fractions of grams worth only pennies.

And regarding the "precious stones" decorating some blades, most of them are not precious but semi-precious like agates, quartz, amethyst, etc. of very little if any retail sale value.

Moreover, the precious stones that occasionally decorate the blades are in most cases low quality rubies, sapphires, emeralds or even diamonds with cracks, chips and inclusions that make them practically unsaleable or, in best case scenario saleable for extremely little money.

But we must also account for the ignorance and greed of people. It may be the case that some obnoxious owner of a nicely decorated blade believes the gems and gold on it would bring him a fortune and try to strip it and sell the gold and gems separately, only to find out "ex post facto" that they bring him nothing... but he already destroyed an otherwise valuable blade.