Whether you’re a professional metalsmith, seasoned hobbyist, or new to DIY jewelry, you may not realize just how much value hides in your workshop. Refining your “bench sweeps” is an important part of working with precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Because precious metals are expensive, even small amounts that get lost in daily work can amount to significant value – hundreds to thousands of dollars – when refined properly. Every filing, shaving and speck of metal dust can boost your bottom line, so don’t miss out on free money!
What Are Bench Sweeps?
Bench sweeps refer to the fine particles, metal shavings, and dust that collect in a jeweler’s workspace. These tiny bits of precious metal stick to tools, cleaning supplies, carpets and more. Collecting and refining humble items like sandpaper, polishing wheels and vacuum bags can result in a hefty payout, especially with today’s gold prices.
How is Jewelers’ Waste Created?
Many everyday metalsmithing activities result in the accumulation of valuable scrap. Examples include:
- Polishing, grinding, sawing and drilling: these processes produce metal cuttings, shavings and dust that will accumulate in the work area.
- Tool cleaning: cleaning items like files, burs and sanding discs can release small metal pieces.
- Modifying: resizing or removing jewelry components leaves valuable scrap behind.
Clean Sweeps vs Dirty Sweeps
Not all scrap is created equal. Bench sweep material is categorized into two main types: “clean” and “dirty” sweeps.
Clean sweeps contain higher amounts of precious metals. Think small pieces and shavings of gold and silver. For example: a jeweler may need to cut off a piece of gold alloy when sizing a ring. That’s considered clean scrap.
Dirty sweeps include things like vacuum bags, dust masks, and paper towels that were used to wipe the work surface. Although dirty sweeps are less valuable, they’re certainly still worth refining.
Where Should I Refine?
Working with a reputable precious metals refinery like Garfield Refining ensures that you’ll obtain maximum value from your materials. We melt and assay your scrap with expert precision, guaranteeing you get paid for every bit of metal that you worked hard to save.
Whether you’re refining bench sweep material, fully-intact jewelry or any other form of precious metals, selling directly to a refinery is always the smartest choice. Some gold buyers or middlemen might offer cash on the spot, but they’ll ultimately sell your material to a refinery – taking a cut of your profits. Refining directly with Garfield eliminates the middleman, putting more money in your pocket.
Scrap Collection Tips
When collecting “clean” scrap, try to separate gold and silver alloys when possible. Place “dirty” scrap like spent sandpaper, paper towels, and vacuum bags in a large collection drum. The drum can act just like a trash can. If you need jars and/or a drum to collect your scrap, Garfield can provide them free of charge!
We accept grindings, shavings, cuttings, sandpaper, polishing wheels, emery sticks, flex shaft bits, dust masks, broken saw blades, sludge from ultrasonic cleaners, carpet/flooring, vacuum bags, collection bags from dust and fume collectors, paper towels, brushes, rags, gold-filled jewelry and more!
Why Jewelers Trust Garfield
Established in 1892, Garfield Refining is North America’s premier precious metals refinery.When it comes to refining, experience matters. It takes knowledgeable, skilled technicians to conduct accurate assays and extract maximum yields from precious metal scrap. Luckily, we’ve got that covered – our expert lab manager has been overseeing operations for 20+ years.
Get Paid Your Way
While all refineries charge fees for processing, we pride ourselves on charging the lowest fees in the industry, providing our clients with the highest possible payouts. Our flexible payment options include cash, ACH, wire, check and bullion exchange. We also offer casting grain, making it easy to reinvest in new materials for your craft. Look no further than Garfield for all of your precious metal needs!
Ready to refine? Fill out our web form to request free scrap containers and download a free, fully-insured shipping label.
Written by
Allie BowmanAllie Bowman is the Content Lead at Garfield Refining, where she translates more than 130 years of precious metals expertise into clear, accurate, and practical content for individual sellers, dental professionals, jewelers, and collectors. A Dean's List graduate of the University of Delaware's Media Communication program, Allie has built her career around making complex subjects accessible to a broad audience. Her experience spans nutrition science, lifestyle magazine publishing, and precious metals refining, giving her a unique ability to transform technical information into engaging, trustworthy content. At Garfield, Allie brings editorial rigor and subject-matter expertise to every piece she produces. She works closely with Garfield's refining specialists and senior leadership to ensure that technical topics - from karat markings and assay methods to precious metals markets and spot price mechanics - are explained with both accuracy and clarity. Since joining Garfield's marketing team, Allie has written extensively on precious metals refining, dental scrap recovery, gold and silver bullion, estate and inherited jewelry, and industry-specific topics for dental and jewelry professionals. All content is reviewed by Garfield's leadership team prior to publication, ensuring it reflects the company's standards for accuracy, transparency, and industry expertise.
Reviewed by
Morgan KerrisseyMorgan Kerrissey is the President of Garfield Refining, one of North America's most longstanding and trusted precious metals refineries. For over two decades, Morgan has built his career at the intersection of commodities markets, metallurgy, and precious metals — earning a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable voices in the refining industry. Morgan joined Garfield in 2008, bringing rigorous operational discipline to a company built on exacting standards since 1892. Named President in 2014, he has guided Garfield through volatile gold, silver, and palladium markets, while modernizing its workforce and technologies and diversifying its metal supply chains. Under his leadership, Garfield has expanded its refining capabilities across the full lifecycle of precious metals recovery, entered new markets, and expanded services while maintaining the same customer forward approach that has made Garfield a mainstay for more than a century. From hedging strategy to daily refinery operations, Morgan commands high levels of technical depth and market fluency. Morgan grew up outside Boston, graduated from Harvard University, and has lived with his family in Philadelphia, PA for almost 20 years.