How to find precious metal contents around you?

We use a range of devices to get through the day. Be it electronic or mechanical; some little thought goes into their making. While there is no need to consider the mechanism, knowing what they include is beneficial. This is because most of the equipment and devices around us have small quantities of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, etc.

These metals are great conductors of electricity and have other qualities that make them essential elements in industrial products. Therefore, many products have noble metals. You must check around for finding them. Now, people get perplexed with where to start. Industrial plants, nitro chemical products, and landfills are the easiest places to check for them. Besides, your home is a valuable source as well. The other areas are:

Smoke detectors

If you have worn out smoke detectors, think before throwing them. They have electrical circuits and plating for accurate detection. As silver and gold are good conductors, most manufacturers use them for plating. Hence, you can retrieve them by dismantling the structure. An exciting element to check for is radioactive americium. It bears a small radioactive symbol and is easily detectable by sight.

Electronic devices

A typical place to find precious metals in electronic devices like appliances, smartphones, computers, televisions, audio equipment, etc. They have motherboards, components, and wires that bear precious metals. You also get the same from antique devices like clocks and watches. These are engineered products that contain dials and hands made of silver or gold. Hence, if you have unused antique devices, inspect their construction to find precious metal contents.

Vehicles

The most common usage of precious metals is associated with vehicles. As they release harmful gases, companies use devices to reduce emissions. Such devices are called catalyst converters. They reduce the intensity of toxic gases to minimise air pollution. This process requires corrosion resistance and responsiveness. Hence, metals like gold, silver, and platinum are used.

You also find such components in the vehicle electronics, airbag inflation chip, anti-lock brakes chip, heat insulation, etc.

Cutlery

Fine chinaware is luxurious and cost heftily. Do you know why? Besides the premium appeal and branding, manufacturers also charge for including intricate detailing. Such designs often include real gold and silver elements. The rims and embellishments replicate the colour and have noble metals. The best part is that they scrape off, making it easy to extract. Although they are in small quantity, value adds up quickly.

Circuit

The most sought-after place for finding noble metals is electrical outlets. As they require high conductivity, gold and silver get used heavily. They get utilised as rivets, welding buttons, alloyed wires, anodes, clad strips, assemblies, etc. You also find electrical contacts in connectors or switches. These are small round curves at the end of each circuit. You get to ascertain this when you buy electrical contacts.

Sarvesh Velankar is an Asst. Marketing Officer in one of the best Precious Metal Manufacture company which offers precious metal refiners India.