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QuoteMetals AI Advisor — metals, coins, jewelry, watches.
📎 Drop a photo → I identify the item, run melt value at live spot, give you a fair buy offer and margin. If I need a better picture I will ask.
I know watches too — Rolex, Omega, Patek, AP, Tudor, Cartier and more.
Try these:
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Quick Offer Calculator
Counter Offer ToolLive Spot
80%
0%50% pawn70% dealer85% good95% refinery100% spot
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Full Melt Value
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Your Offer
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Refinery @95%
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Your Margin
At 70% of melt
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Pawn shop range
At 80% of melt
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Typical dealer buy
At 90% of melt
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Strong offer
Melt Value Calculator
Melt Value CalculatorLive Spot
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Melt Value
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Troy Oz Content
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Per Piece
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Fine Grams
At 85% of melt
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Typical dealer buy
At 90% of melt
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Better dealer buy
At 95% of melt
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Excellent offer
At 100% melt
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Spot — baseline
Premium & P&L Calculator
Melt + Premium Offer CalculatorDealer Tool
Pricing Parameters
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Melt Value
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Your Bid (Buy)
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Your Ask (Sell)
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Gross Spread
Buy Side Analysis
Spot melt value—
Buy at % of spot—
Fixed premium add—
Numismatic add—
Your Offer Price—
You paid—
Fees + shipping—
P/L vs your cost—
Refinery Payout Calculator
What Will You Actually Get?Uses Live Spot
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Full Melt Value
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Your Payout
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Left on Table
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% of Spot
Specific Gravity — Guided Step-by-Step Calculator
Water Displacement Density TestMost Reliable Field Test
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
① Digital scale — 0.01g precision minimum (0.001g better for small items)
② Container of water — glass or plastic, large enough to fully submerge item
③ Thin wire or thread — to suspend item in water without touching sides/bottom
④ Bridge setup — wire rests across container edge, item hangs in water, scale reads apparent weight
PROCEDURE
1
Weigh dry — tare scale, place item, record weight. This is W_air.
2
Setup water suspension — tie wire to item. Put water container on scale, tare to zero. Suspend item fully submerged, NOT touching walls or bottom.
3
Read scale — this is the displaced water weight = volume of item (since water = 1g/cc). Record as W_water.
4
Enter values below — calculator shows density, compares to known metal, gives verdict.
American Platinum Eagle, Canadian Platinum Maple, LBMA approved bars
Most non-government platinum coins
Palladium
.9995 fineness
American Palladium Eagle, Canadian Palladium Maple, LBMA approved bars
Most non-government palladium coins
⚠ IRS Rule: Metals must be held by an approved custodian — you cannot store IRA metals at home. "Home storage gold IRA" schemes are illegal and will result in distribution + penalties. Must use approved depository (Brinks, Delaware Depository, etc.).
Capital Gains Tax on Precious Metals — US Federal
Holding Period
Tax Rate (Federal)
Classification
Notes
Under 1 year
Ordinary income rate (10–37%)
Short-term capital gain
Treated as regular income — worst tax outcome
Over 1 year (collectibles)
28% maximum
Collectibles rate (§1256)
Gold/silver/platinum/palladium are classified as "collectibles" — NOT the standard 15/20% LTCG rate
ETF / Paper Gold
15–20% (standard LTCG)
Standard capital gain
Paper gold (GLD, SLV) taxed at lower rate than physical — important consideration
Key Points:
• Physical precious metals are taxed at 28% collectibles rate federally — higher than stocks.
• State taxes vary: some states have no capital gains (FL, TX, NV, etc.). Others tax at income rate.
• Basis tracking is critical — keep all receipts. Cost basis = purchase price + shipping + insurance.
• Gains must be reported on Schedule D, Form 8949.
• 1099-B reporting: dealers must report sales over $1,000 face value (cash) or specific product thresholds.
• Losses can offset gains — track every transaction.
1099-B Dealer Reporting Requirements
What Triggers a Dealer Report to the IRSKnow Before You Sell
Product
Reportable Quantity
Form
Gold bars or rounds (any size)
Any amount over $1,000 (check current regs)
1099-B
Silver bars or rounds
1,000+ oz (≥.999)
1099-B
US gold coins (Eagles, Buffalos)
Not specifically listed in current regs — varies
Varies
90% junk silver (face value)
$1,000 face value or more
1099-B
Cash transactions (any metal)
$10,000+ cash — ALWAYS reported
Form 8300
Structured transactions (cash under $10k to avoid reporting)
ILLEGAL — structuring is a federal crime
Criminal referral
⚠ State sales tax: Some states exempt precious metals from sales tax (TX, FL, AZ, CO, and others). Some charge full sales tax. Always verify your state's exemption rules before buying/selling. Exemptions often apply only to investment bullion, not jewelry.
Storage, Insurance & Security
Storage Option
Cost
Pros
Cons
Best For
Home Safe (bolted)
$200–$2,000
Immediate access, private, no fees
Homeowner insurance limit ~$1,500 for metals, theft risk, fire risk
<$25,000 in metals
Bank Safe Deposit Box
$50–$300/yr
Secure, fire/flood protected
NOT insured by FDIC, no access outside banking hours, can be frozen
Lower value coins
Private Vault (Brinks, etc.)
$100–$500/yr
Fully insured, segregated storage, audited
Not immediately accessible, annual fee
Large holdings $50k+
Approved IRA Depository
$100–$300/yr
Tax-advantaged, fully insured, segregated
Cannot access without tax event
Retirement holdings
Allocated Storage (dealer)
0.5–1% per year
Specific bars/coins held in your name
Counterparty risk, fees
Large bullion positions
Insurance tip: Standard homeowner's/renter's policy typically caps precious metals at $1,000–$2,500. Rider policies available from specialty insurers (Hugh Wood, Jewelers Mutual). Get a rider before you have a loss. Photograph and document all holdings.
Estate planning: Metals are taxable estate assets. Document holdings, location, and value. Consider a trust for large holdings to avoid probate. Tell your executor where everything is stored.