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How to Melt Gold With Borax

Many people sell their old or scrap gold jewelry for extra money or just to be free of the extra clutter in their jewelry box. This unwanted gold can be melted and used to make a large variety of jewelry, accessories and other decorative objects. Different techniques are used to melt the gold to a liquid. A common substance used is borax. Borax allows you to melt your own gold in a safe, well ventilated area of your home.

Things You'll Need

Charcoal
Borax
Propane torch
Gold jewelry piece
Knife
Safety mask

Instructions

- 1
  Use a knife to scoop out the charcoal until you have a small bowl-like container. A gold ring or small necklace should fit nicely into the bowl you have created from the piece of charcoal.
- 2
  Scrape the bottom of the charcoal bowl so it sits flat on a safe object that won't burn. Do this outside or in a very well ventilated place.
- 3
  Place the gold piece into the charcoal container and put on your safety mask or goggles.
- 4
  Light a propane torch and begin moving the flame over the gold. Hold the flame over the gold until the gold is red-hot.
- 5
  Prepare to melt the gold. Sprinkle a little borax onto your gold piece. Increase the amount of heat on the torch until the gold starts to melt. It should look bright orange with a green tint as it nears its melting point. All the fine particles of gold will melt together into a bright ball.

Rocks & Minerals