How Do You Tell The Difference Between Gold & Brass? 
One of the most important parts of recycling metal is identifying it. If you know what metals you have, you can separate & organize them, which can help you get more return for your metal. Additionally, knowing what metal you have makes it even easier to choose when to sell your metal. Prices often fluctuate, so knowing when to recycle is a great way to get the most for your scrap metal. However, telling the difference between metals can be difficult. Especially when metals look similar like gold and brass do.  Here are a few tips you can use to tell the different between gold and brass.
Pay Attention to Gold & Brass' Colors
Brass and gold may have similar colors and both appear yellowish, but the colors are distinct. Gold is shinier and more yellow than brass. Brass is often a duller color and less vibrant. However this method gets a little dicey because when gold is mixed with other metals it loses its shine and traditional yellow color. 
Scratch Gold/Brass on Ceramic 
An easier way to tell the difference between gold and brass is by using a ceramic surface. When gold is scratched on ceramic it will leave a golden streak because it is a soft metal. Brass is generally a harder metal and will leave a darker black streak on the ceramic surface. 
Is Gold Heavier Than Brass?
Another way to test if something is brass or gold is to figure out its density. Gold is a denser metal than brass, which means it weighs more. Of course this method is also dubious as mixed metals will vary in terms of density. 
Check The Labels
Jewelry is often marked. Often times anything made with gold will have a karat marking on it somewhere. Brass does not have a karat count, whereas gold is usually labeled. Additionally brass metal is often branded with the word brass somewhere on the item. Search the material and look for any engravings or stamps that might indicate the metal. 
Bring Your Metal to a Scrap Metal Yard
If you are planning to get rid of a metal item regardless of what it is made of, consider bringing it to a scrap yard. Many scrap yards provide metal testing services if you are planning to sell the piece. 

High Value Metals For Scrap Metal Recycling
Recycling scrap metal is an effective way to make some  quick cash. Whether you are simply cleaning out your garage, or are working on a larger project. There are a variety of metals that fetch higher prices due to the supply and demand differences as well as the unique properties of these metals. Here are a few metals you should consider bringing to a scrap metal yard if you have them lying around your house.
Recycling Brass Scrap
Brass is commonly used for many ornamental goods and decorative elements of homes. Door knockers, cabinet handles, candlesticks, and trophies are often made with brass. additionally some instruments including trumpets, horns, trombones, and tubas, are made using brass metal. Brass is a rarer metal which means you can expect higher prices when you recycle brass.
Recycling Silver & Gold Scrap
Both silver and gold can sometimes fetch higher prices at your scrap yard than what a pawn shop or jewelry store will offer. If you have old jewelry, silverware, or medals made with silver and gold you should bring it to a scrap yard that accepts those metals and get a quote. Some older electronics even have gold elements to them.
Recycling Copper Scrap
Copper can be found all over your home in plumbing pipes and wires in electrical systems. If you have your home rewired or piping replaced, it might be beneficial to bring the copper to a local scrap yard. make sure to strip the wire of any insulation so you can provide pure copper to your scrap yard.
Recycling Aluminum Scrap
Aluminum is also a highly valuable scrap metal. Aluminum can be found in containers, cans, and even in some older electronics. Soda cans are often recycled for their aluminum, although on a small scale aluminum isn't highly valuable, in bulk it can provide a decent amount of money. 
See Our Recycling Prices
If you are interested in learning more about recycling scrap metal in the Everett area, visit our website for our pricing information and send us a message if you have any questions. A member of our team would be happy to assist you. 

What Parts Of A Car Can Be Sold & Recycled
Recycling scrap metal is an effective way to make some spare cash. But not every homeowner has access to left over scrap metal readily available for recycling. One common item that many people do have access to is an old car. If you own a vehicle that is no longer operable, instead of bringing it to the junk yard it can be recycled at a scrap metal yard. And aside from just towing your entire vehicle down to the yard, you can actually strip a vehicle for the most valuable parts. 
Catalytic Converters
A catalytic converter is a part of many vehicles that reduces the toxic gases and pollutants that come out of the vehicle's exhaust. Catalytic converters are found right before the exhaust pipe and are made of precious metals. They can fetch a higher price than many of the more common metal pieces that are brought to scrap yards. 
Car Batteries
Recycling regular batteries can be difficult. Normal batteries are hazardous materials and need to be disposed of in the proper way. Because of this many people think that car batteries must also be hard to get rid of. But that's actually not true. Car batteries are one of the most recycled products in the country. Not only is it good for the environment to recycle your car battery, but it is good for your wallet as well. 
Wheels/Hubcaps
 Your vehicle's wheels and hubcaps can be quickly turned around for some quick cash. Each of the metal components in your car's wheels are valuable to scrap metal yards. Additionally the tires may be worth selling to a used auto parts store. In fact some scrap yards also buy tires, although you should check on that before bringing tires to your local scrap yard. 
Oil Pans, Filters, and Misc.
Throughout your vehicle there are a variety of metal components that can be detached and sold piece by piece. And although it might not provide as much capital as catalytic converters, your oil filter and similar auto parts can be sold at scrap yards. 
Learn More About Recycling Your Vehicle
At Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett Massachusetts, we want to make recycling your vehicle easy and convenient. That is why we provide a helpful FAQ on our website to learn more about what you need to recycle an older vehicle. For more info please contact our team.