At Garfield, we often talk about gold in jewelry, bullion and even dental crowns. But did you know that gold also plays an important role in electronics?
Electronics accounted for about 7% of the gold used in the U.S. in 2024, according to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries for 2025. You can find gold inside cellphones, computers, TVs, car components, medical devices and more.
Why Is Gold Used in Electronics?
Gold works wonders in electronic components for several reasons. It’s an efficient conductor, allowing for transmission of electrical signals without significant energy loss. It’s also highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, even in harsh environments, which makes it ideal for long-term reliability.
Gold’s malleability also makes it easy to shape into thin sheets, wires and tiny connections used in intricate circuitry. And because gold forms stable bonds with other metals that are commonly used in electronics, like copper and silicon, it helps create durable connections within devices. That’s why it’s used throughout circuit boards, connectors and various internal components.
Gold vs. Copper
But wait – why not just use copper instead of gold? Copper’s much cheaper and a better electrical conductor.
While copper is widely used in general wiring, gold excels in the specific, delicate conditions inside electronics. It’s more ductile and malleable, easier to manipulate at tiny scales, and far less reactive. Copper and silver tarnish quickly, whereas gold does not, making it more dependable for sensitive electronics.
(Speaking of gold and copper, combining the two creates rose gold!)
Where Is the Gold in My Phone?
In mobile phones and computers, gold is primarily found on the circuit board or “motherboard.” This is the central hub where all of the device’s components connect and communicate.
Gold is used in connectors of circuits and the memory chip within the motherboard – areas that require resilient materials that will not corrode over time. Computers have even larger motherboards than phones, so they typically contain more gold. TVs, older cameras, radios, media players and game consoles also contain gold!
How Much Gold Is in the Average Smartphone?
Apple iPhones generally contain more gold than other brands of smartphones. The exact amount varies depending on the model, but the average iPhone contains approximately:
- 0.034g of gold
- 0.34g of silver
- 0.015g of palladium
- less than one-thousandth of a gram of platinum
In terms of scrap value, the precious metals in a single phone aren’t worth much. But on a larger scale, it can really add up.
Gold’s Role in AI
As artificial intelligence continues its rapid expansion, the demand for gold and other precious metals is expected to rise as well. AI-enabled devices rely on processors, sensors and memory chips that use gold for reliable performance. Smartphones, self-driving cars, and the huge data centers powering generative AI tools like ChatGPT are all examples of sectors increasing the need for precious-metal-based components.
Electronic Waste and Recycling Potential
A United Nations report found that the world generated 62 million tons of electronic waste from items like old cell phones and laptops in 2022 – an 82% jump from one decade before. And the World Economic Forum estimates that we’ll produce about 80 million tons of e-waste annually by 2030. That’s a lot of e-waste, and a ton of recycling potential.
A study conducted by researchers in China and the Netherlands suggests that recycling rare earth metals from old cellphones, hard drives, electric motors and turbines could meet up to 40% of the demand for the metals in the United States, China and Europe by 2050.
Advancements in Recycling
Historically, e-waste recycling has relied on harmful chemicals like cyanide to extract precious metals from devices. But a company called eWorks, based in Freeport, NY, is changing that. Working with researchers at Cornell, they’ve developed an organic compound that absorbs gold ions like a sponge – an approach that’s both more efficient and far less harmful to the environment.
As precious metal extraction from e-waste becomes easier and more cost-effective, more companies may begin transforming old phones and laptops into new goods like jewelry, bullion, and more.
Growing Interest in Urban Mining
Interest in recovering precious metals from old electronics has spiked in recent years. With sustainability becoming increasingly important to consumers, recycled-metal jewelry and other products are gaining traction.
According to Business Insider, some small startups earn up to $85,000 per day recycling electronic circuit boards. Globally, an estimated $55-$60 billion worth of precious sits inside abandoned circuit boards!
Even Britain’s Royal Mint is embracing the shift, transitioning from coin production to e-waste recycling. As the use of cash (especially coins) declines, especially since the COVID pandemic, the Mint has moved into e-waste recycling and is now turning recovered metals into fancy jewelry. Their precious metal recovery plant became fully operational last summer.
Recycling Resources
If you have unwanted electronics, there may be several convenient recycling options in your area. Look for an e-Stewards certified recycler, which ensures that valuable materials, like gold, silver, copper, lithium, aluminum, and palladium – as well as toxic materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium – are properly extracted and reused.
Recycling your e-waste may be as easy as a drop-off at Staples or Best Buy. Electronics Recyclers International (ERI) partners with both of these chains to collect almost all electronics for free. ERI is one of the largest electronic recyclers in the country, processing 100,000 tons per year.
Although Garfield Refining does not currently accept electronic scrap, we fully support and encourage responsible electronic recycling. And if you have other forms of precious metal scrap – like jewelry, coins, pins, buttons, silverware, dental crowns and more – we can recycle them and offer you the highest possible payment in return!
Established in 1892, Garfield will get you the most for your gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. We’re known for providing top payouts, fast turnaround times and unparalleled customer service.
Ready to cash in on your precious metals? Get started today with a free shipping label!
Written by
Allie Bowman