When deciding whether to fabricate or cast a ring design, the value of Hoover & Strong mill products should not be overlooked. This article will show how to combine various Hoover & Strong mill stock products to produce a custom-fabricated platinum ring. Read the rest of this entry »

When did it become cool to wear a non-precious metal on your finger for a wedding band?

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Shipment Arrives
The moment your scrap shipment is weighed in at our refining division, it is entered into our computerized refining flow system. Read the rest of this entry »

Refining can be an important part of any jewelry store’s business. If systems are set up properly, refining can help bring in business and improve cash flow. Read the rest of this entry »

Your precious metal scrap could literally be going down the drain or out the door. Below are a few areas where you can increase your profit margins by targeting waste in your shop. Identifying these areas is the first step towards maximizing the value of your return and ultimately increasing your bottom line. Read the rest of this entry »

All packages should have a letter or note stating the scrap weights. Special instructions regarding the settlement options must be in writing (preferably not written on the package). Due of the high cost of assaying, WE DO NOT ASSAY FOR ALL PRECIOUS METALS UNLESS REQUESTED. This includes platinum, so please tell us what metals you work with. If you send us 50 oz. of material or more, we automatically assay for silver, because of the silver alloyed in 14K gold. It is usually not worth the extra refining charge to recover the silver in karat gold from smaller lots, unless you work a lot with silver and think it contains at least 4-5 ozs. Read the rest of this entry »

Hoover Refining, a division of Hoover & Strong, Inc, has been in business for almost 100 years. Jay Hoover started the company in 1912 by collecting elements from industrial lightbulbs and refining the platinum. We have become a leader in the industry and are very proud to offer refining services. If YOU ARE A JEWELER, please visit the Refining Section at www.hooverandstrong.com, created specifically for jewelers, for all YOUR refining needs. Read the rest of this entry »

The method of shipping is up to your own discretion. The majority of our shipments are received through the post office by registered or insured mail. UPS or Motor Freight are used to ship the larger refining shipments such as floorsweeps and polishing dust. Read the rest of this entry »

Work Hardening Gold
If you’ve ever cold worked sheet or wire, you know what work hardening is. The further you reduce the metal thickness the harder it gets and less malleable it becomes. If not annealed properly, the metal fractures or becomes too hard to work. Read the rest of this entry »

lthough we provide cadmium-free solders, we still feel that using cadmium-free solder is a way of disguising the real problem: Read the rest of this entry »