Episode 41: Thrift shop gold, diamond, silver and pearl!!

[@metaldetectingmike5766]

I am not sure how this video blew up, it was posted 10 months ago and only had a few hundred views until the last month or so, as of today it is 19k views..... for those talking about the value of costume jewelry, watches, etc....yes I know and some of the stuff I actually sold but this video was mainly to find gold and silver. I do appreciate all of the advice and since I still buy jewelry bags I will keep an eye out for some of the things y'all mentioned.

[@kevinbartlett8515]

Metal Detecting Mike shoot me an email [e-mail]

[@johnnysilva2554]

Metal Detecting Mike its a grain of rice

[@sasha1379]

Do you live in USA? Can I buy those bags in Canada?

[@metaldetectingmike5766]

@@sasha1379 Yes I am in the US, not sure if Canadian thrift stores would carry junk jewelry bags but I don't see why they wouldn't

[@sammills2422]

That Seiko might actually be useful for spare parts for me, if you still have it and could send it to me, that’d be great

[@kiddor909gmail]

Did U know many gold items were not stamped before 1910? So that makes it even more valuable. I redesign old jewelry & some of that costume jewelry & beads could be worth a lot. Crafters will buy that from you. Don't forget to check the back of watches. Some are sterling or gold & not always stamped. Crafters love old watches to use for steam punk designs. Great haul !!!!

[@sarahnightwing2936]

I am one of those who redesigns jewelry etc and I AGREE!

[@zrskakocourek4209]

Mike, your treasures can be more than precious metal. Some of the old costume jewelry can have surprising value.

[@poisonivy9083]

Zrska Kocourek yes some from designer brands are worth a lot

[@blondie8432]

Especially the really old costume jewelry. All depends on the market, but just bc it's not "real" doesn't mean it has no significant value

[@RMBlake007]

Yes, some of the really old, (and to me, some are ugly) pieces of Miriam Haskell can sell from 100 to 1000 dollars. I was shocked but I have found some. If you are going to buy the bags, find a good resource on costume jewelry. Some of those pieces are more valuable than the "real gold" jewelry I find...

[@lynnkinsman2325]

Your excitement is contagious! So happy for your gold, silver, diamond, & pearl finds!!!

[@metaldetectingmike5766]

Thank you, it's not metal detecting but it is still treasure hunting.

[@lunarmoved]

The "tooth pendant is actually rice it was a trend to have your name written on a grain of rice and placed in the tube with liquid which would magnify the grain.

[@sweetpicklez1528]

That's what I thought 🧐

[@sharonbrenhaug434]

I enjoy listening to the excitement in your voice, I'm sure I would be the same way LOL.

[@17luckynumbers]

Definitely look into some of the costume jewelry, it could be worth more than the silver & gold! Nice score!

[@uniqueaetc.3427]

Great video.

[@Kymmie924]

That purple tube had water or babyoil with a grain of rice with the name allison wrote on there....i have a few where mine dried up too that i got at craft shows or the Texas State Fair.

[@frangipani5303]

It's not just precious metals that are valuable in big bags of stuff like this. Bakelite jewellery is worth a fortune, so look out for that as well. Vintage plastics are very valuable these days. A bakelite bracelet from the 1930s or 40s can go for $300. Lucite and celluloid items are worth a a lot too. There are tests for all 3 of those plastics.

[@Apemom47]

Jewelry jar opening videos are my favorite ! I saw this by chance and said to myself !"WOOO" LOL !

[@everardoorozco1133]

pay attention to the designer names on the jewelry. You're overlooking some very profitable pieces to resell online. There's a big market for collectible vintage costume jewelry.

[@monicag5861]

Its a piece of rice with a name.....you find em at mall kiosk or carnivals...

[@jamieparker4010]

I make a living buying gold and silver and the earring bits you mentioned are quite common knowledge but the pendant marking on the inside is a new one on me...i'll give you another place to look for marks is the ends of open bangles...my best thrift find was 10g of gold for less than a buck

[@metaldetectingmike5766]

Jamie Parker good to know, thank you.

[@mimiescape2023]

My Seiko watch was quite expensive and had gold in the band and face.

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Interesting concept. There are lots of jewelry you can buy on eBay and goes by the pound I believe. I enjoyed your enthusiasm. My only complaint would be the camera work. I was getting dizzy the way the camera was all over the place. Work on that and your audience just may grow. Best of luck and have fun!! PS- As a crafter, I buy non-working watches for the insides like the gears. Really big with the crafting community. You can sell the whole or by the pieces, Also watches like the Seiko will have gemstones inside as part of the workings. I have a 35 mm film container full of sapphires three rubies and a bunch of garnets. Watchmakers and crafters pay good money for them. It's not always about scoring a big win, but all the little ones do add up.

[@dinganddoo2]

A lot of junk earrings made in the 70s and 80s had sterling and 14k posts and backs. The metals were quite cheap back then and many people had/have nickel allergies so cheap posts weren't always used.

[@devorak8601]

He's the best thrift store channel not gonna lie

[@dennisjamieson3328]

I use to do that in Bellingham Washington. 20 dollar grab bags. Always found a silver piece or two.

[@sarahpfeiffer9384]

It was a grain of rice in the tube and I think I saw a date too.

[@nonyabizness7355]

Don't the thrift stores go through this stuff before they bag it up? I used to go to one thrift store and get fine china and crystal until one manager wised up and after that you could not find anything you would want to buy. They never ever had anything like this. They had all their earrings hung up at the front and way overpriced.

[@buckeyepelican]

The little purple tube with "Allison" written on something inside is actually a gimmick that was popular at fairs and amusement parks several years ago. The tube contains a grain of rice with the carnival goers name written on it. People would line up to watch the "artist" use a single-hair brush to write their name on a grain of rice, then encase it in the tube of their choice to be worn as a charm or pendant. Weird the things that used to amuse us, isn't it?

[@mikeahl5123]

Mike you should always check the back of the earrings the piece that goes on the stud you will fine some of them marked Sterling, 925, 14k not much weight but they add up over time...

[@rachumeladonai9367]

Lol its a grain of Rice which was once floating in oil or some liquid after writing the name on it then placing in a vile. Those were very popular many years ago and many beach vendors sold them. Haha. Not a tooth. Awesome finds, though. Makes me want to go to a thriftstore and buy a bag. Lol

[@stupiddumbcouple]

That last pendant is actually a piece of rice. Its a fab called "write on rice". Lots of people do it.

[@pueblodove]

the tube with the name Alison is someone's name written by hand on rice, then put into the tube of glycerin. It would have been a necklace. I saw them doing this at Universal Studios in Fl.

[@pamelaj963]

Whew, watching your video makea me crazeee! Seasick!

[@Carrival]

The Goodwill goes through the things they receive in the same way...I have never seen bag of stuff for sale!!

[@metaldetectingmike5766]

Never go to Goodwill, they never have any gold or silver in their junk jewelry jars. I go to Thrift Mart and Thrift Giant.

[@colejosephalexanderkashay683]

@@metaldetectingmike5766 not entirely true. they are often blind and aren't paid enough to check perfectly.

[@nebula1oftheseven488]

Dude be on the lookout for semiprecious stones and vintage costume jewelry too.

[@TamerOfTheCats]

I love seiko watches don’t think it deserves to be in the junk pile

[@whatcheryoung7496]

Agreed man

[@chuchachuy9507]

there is a high end seiko line called grand seiko that is very desirable amongst watch collectors, and the ones that aren't grand seiko are still somewhat valuable if in working condition, definitely not belonging in the junk and probably worth what he payed for the lot.

[@Nanaz4Mz]

I agree. For some reason I don't like the word "junk" being used.

[@katherine4206]

Agreed seiko is not junk. Best watch I ever owned.

[@stephaniepeaster3335]

TamerOfTheCats agreed the junk pile had very valuable stones and things

[@gladysrosario3821]

You almost give me a heart attack with the Rolex watch. I thought, "What a lucky guy."

[@kennethkeene4534]

And they were very expressive even in the 70's..

[@makokoro9073]

Man!!I see a while enamel see with rhinestones, that can be a Sarah Coventry items. 😖😩 There are a bunch of vintage items that can be sold for good money

[@fidnielsen]

The first piece of silver is a miraculous medal, it's a huge deal in the Catholic community, sell it rather than melt it down. You'll get more for it whole.

[@jcsgodmother]

That goes for all jewelry. It is worth more as jewelry than as meltdown.

[@swissuz]

I agree on that one piece.

[@swissuz]

@@jcsgodmother My daughter and I got a haul of jewelry. She sorted, cleaned it, professionally photographed it, examined it, and researched it and wrote up fabulous descriptions. She sold it on Etsy.....after packaging, and mailing, she barely made much over her cost. It's better to mix the good with some of the not so good, so you can at least make twice your money back and not spend so much time on each piece. It's pain staking.

[@dinganddoo2]

Fidelma Nielsen - The Catholic Church used to heavily frown upon selling used religious items (not sure about nowadays). These items were to be handed down or donated, hence the Miraculous Medal showing up in a thrift store. It would be a shame to melt it as it's quite old and probably been blessed. I always buy small religious items I find at yard/estate sales and tuck them away in case I know of someone in need. All of the little girls in Catholic School used to - and probably still - wear the Miraculous Medal, including myself.

[@XtremeKaiba]

I feel that way about the cross, there is just something wrong with melting down Religious items.

[@beeveedee9355]

that one red bracelet with silver looking charms hanging from it.... you should've tested those, they could've been silver.

[@psmith-kk3ex]

beeveedee, I was thinking the same thing when I saw that.

[@rubenestrada6246]

I can’t believe you put that seiko in the junk bag

[@metaldetectingmike5766]

Sorry, didn't know it was worth anything. If I ever find another one I will keep it in the treasure pile. This was mainly to find gold and silver since I don't know anything about costume jewelry.

[@clarencepayaqui9163]

That"s why you have to educate yourself about jewelry because it's not mainly gold and silver are worth keeping for 😊. Good luck!

[@kristinamariaholmberg1595]

@@metaldetectingmike5766 and it shows

[@iangraham6530]

the 18K pendant, did you run an earth magnet over it? It could be just plated. If it moves under the magnet, it is plated or filled.

[@sissyrayself7508]

Almost positive that 28 k heart pendant was only plated. Explains why it was showing the lighter white streak where the plating wore off.

[@jackiichavez2468]

Wow what a great find!

[@Her-J-Story]

Good video

[@laureningle6457]

A lot of earring backs could be silver or gold also plus the jewelry with the human part in it is a fad where you put either ashes or a tooth or something like that from a loved one! To me it’s kind of morbid but that’s what people do! Check everything! You could melt down both to eventually get a good sized gold and silver bar down the road! I have a lot myself! Watching this actually gave me a new way of looking at going through my old jewelry thx! Lol 😝

[@TheRealGrinch313]

When I was 10 I went on a cruise to Bermuda with my family and on the way I 'picked a pearl', a blue pearl for my mother, and had them put it on a penet almost exactly like the real one in this video. (On a cruise ship after finding $50 in casino chips on the floor in the ball room) Nice job, man! 👍

[@kylasimpson2700]

Omg the camera work made me queasy......maybe a tripod geese!

[@rupertprawnworthy758]

Using a goose as a tripod would be inhumane

[@flashtherocket4542]

that seiko might be worth some money like over 100

[@wendyatwood2290]

the clasp on the cross is stamped however the cross is a separate piece and may not contain gold

[@rupieally]

Even a counterfeit Rolex watch is valuable. I've seen them in high end Pawn Stores, (emphasis on High End!) I don't know where you live, but there's a huge and highly reputable one near Detroit Michigan, (and of course I can't think of their name right now) They've been on T.V., and my husband and I have shopped there ourselves. While you won't get real Rolex money for it, there is a market for them, so don't throw it away! Until you tested it, I didn't know that it wasn't a real Rolex. It looked just like a real Rolex! Lots of men would (and do) buy a "Rolex" like yours- a man wearing a Rolex gives an unspoken impression to others that he's a wealthy, successful business man! A Rolex is a big time status symbol! $💰💸 I thoroughly enjoyed your video!

[@metaldetectingmike5766]

Ruthanne Barnes wow I did not know that, thanks for the great info and for watching.

[@sarahblackwell7840]

It's illegal in the USA to try selling any name brand name that's a fake.

[@billlai3545]

Garage sell them 50cents to $1 each. Triple your money and still have jewelry left over.

[@meganfoster5579]

That tube with the organic thing in it, is a piece of rice with a name written on it.

[@SnappySnapfire]

4:07 you made me laugh when you said the screen is busted...That how you tell we live in 2019 cause watches have faces not screens lol

[@kellymcconnell8918]

They usually put it in the inside of the clasp on necklaces bracelets

[@trixie85282]

You are such a dufus. LOL. Congrats on your finds 😊

[@susanatkinson7702]

A tripod would be nice or something to hold the camera still, getting dizzy, can't look when out of focus. too much movement

[@elenatario6919]

Love to watch the video but i got dizzy too

[@sarahnightwing2936]

Omg YES PLEASE USE A TRIPOD. MOTION SICKNESS I wanted to see this but Ima have to tap... 😲

[@OlesiaRX]

Agree!

[@marjorieprezioso4750]

Ok, I have tons of questions! I bought a storage locker with no less than 4 jewelry boxes packed with mostly junk. What kind of board are you scratching the gold on? Where did you get it? What acid are you using to test for gold? Where do you get it? Is there a way to test for silver? What about diamonds and other gemstones? What kind of meter is that and where do I get one? I think I might have rubies in my little junk jewelry lot. How do I test for rubies, sapphires, emeralds etc.?

[@jcsgodmother]

they sell kits online with all the acid tests for gold and silver.

[@swissuz]

Yes....the acid comes in a set and you can buy other tools to test metals. Google it...testing kits for metal. If you think you have precious stones, go to a reputable jeweler and ask them what they would charge for a quote. Don't take small gems or one piece....make it worth their while. Be wary of anyone that tells you that silver or gold is plated, and then offers to take it off your hand for a low price. I stood right beside a customer in an antique shop trying to find out about his mother's silver. I saw a silver stamp on it clearly and the name of the company. The shop owner flat out lied to him and told him it was all silver plated and had no melt value. The man looked dejected (He had me in tears because he just lost his mother)....as he was leaving the shop owner stopped him and offered to pay him $50 bucks! I was so dumbstruck I didn't know what to say. The guy left with $50 dollars in his hand. By the time I got outside to find him he was gone. I wanted to tell him to take it for a second opinion. That shop owner was a real slime ball, but he had other dealers in the shop that I worked with. I let him know I knew what he did and never said anything. This was 10-11 years ago when silver was at it's peak. I want to call the police......and regret that I didn't.

[@manchestertart5614]

Glass beads are good quality, I would be happy to have them to make new items.

[@kennethkeene4534]

Seiko watches are the only watches they would use on the price is right usually a his and hers at the same time

[@ohitstay9062]

Mike this is AWESOME!

[@RMBlake007]

This is REAL. I buy "Junk Jewelry" bags at my local Goodwill store. They vary in price from 16 to 40 bucks depending on the store and the size/weight of the bags. I find Sterling, 12, 14, 18 kt gold and gemstones including diamonds. I don't find gold EVERY time, but I don't think I have ever NOT found at least a few Sterling Silver pieces. As in this video, sometimes the marks are found in hard to see or uncommon places on the jewelry. I also found a small 18 kt pocket watch...there were no markings because it was well used and the marks had eventually worn off. That is where a gold tester kit is supremely useful. I'm not going to "get rich" but it IS very fun if you are the type of person that enjoys the "thrill of the hunt".

[@rubenholt5311]

My very first two bags of jewelry were fantastic from goodwill. And now it seems they get worse and worse while the price goes higher and higher. But there's not much more to choose from around here. A couple of smaller thrift stores thats about it. I'm tempted to move to your town. Lol. I like your videos. Keep them coming please?

[@stephaniepeaster3335]

Ruben Holt I’m really surprised to see him being able to buy bags from goodwill I know here they wd have gone thru them and got out anything of value

[@scottthorson1]

It's not a tooth it's a grain of rice with the owners name on it. We used to get them at the county fair...

[@paulisaac3489]

I find treasure in dumpsters of all places. Lol

[@GorillaCookies]

I have found a lots of valuable pieces of antique jewelry and other odds and ends made of genuine gold and silver in thrift store jewelry bags

[@tara1131975]

That purple tube was most likely a piece of rice with the persons name written on it.

[@rmzozsener]

The junk you say is gold and silver is worth less than the Seiko watch....so much for your knowledge mate !!!!

[@matako89]

Vintage seiko watches can make good money

[@normalivella9375]

That is a grain of rice in that little tube

[@dumpsterdivingpowercouplel8807]

Silly. The one knecklace is a rice necklace. They were popular in the 90s

[@alexiaanddan]

GOD loves you all. GOD bless you all. Have a blessed day everyone.

[@matthewwillson6515]

Bag up the junk sell it on eBay to hobby jewellery markers

[@ajg52100]

LOL. Throws away a $80 seiko. Keeps $5 of silver.

[@blondie8432]

That was a piece of rice that said ALLISON, they were popular necklaces in the 90's

[@lorenzogutierrez7488]

Hurts me that I didn’t get to see the face on the Rolex to see if it really was fake or not and also that he threw a seiko into the junk pile

[@ernesthardimon1552]

Dame amazing gamble

[@2009glories]

Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Mother of Jesus

[@lovejoyandpeace3957]

At least your happy with that treasure

[@MrEvanBrisco]

hey dude seikos are good watches, lots of collectors out there. same with replica rolex.

[@naominaera8937]

Goodness I would love that cause I would love fir my crafting you lucky thing.

[@LuisRodriguez-tw3xp]

The seiko was worth more

[@thekukishow9571]

Yea seiko watches arent junk..Good finds with gold n silver! And dont throw out costume jewellery too quickly either, some have names or is signed, you can get big money from vintage costume jewellery and vintage watches too. You should video while checking through your jewellery pile, people love seeing you nosing through it :)

[@Glotglot]

Gold comes in a variety of colors... rose, silver, white, gold and other lesser known colors. Don't throw out the Rolex quite yet.

[@pandalady5964]

The purple tube at the end has an engraved piece of rice probably in mineral oil. It's a keepsake probably made on a date.

[@annieo9468]

Oh my goodness !!! Love your enthusiasm...was fun to listen to. But you HAVE to stabilize your camera. Way too much motion.

[@stephaniepeaster3335]

Annie o I enjoyed his excitement too I am the same way but I buy pounds of unsearched untested estate jewelry utsxalways fun my last box had so much in it that was diamonds and gold and all of it was wearable some twisted up chains but it was well worth it I found 9 diamond rings several birthstone rings tons of good stones and vintage Art Deco and victorian

[@annieo9468]

@@stephaniepeaster3335 I think you may have missed my point. I have ZERO complaints about what he does...or what you do. I was only hoping to pass on a wee tip, that would make the whole 'viewing experience' better....not only for his viewers, but ultimately for him. It's not about the process...it's about sharing the process with his viewers in a more 'watchable' way.

[@stephaniepeaster3335]

Annie o oh no I was agreeing with you on his enthusiasm and yes a tripod wd be very much a great improvement as it does make you wobbly queasy trying to follow the camera motion I totally agree but yea I wasn’t being ugly or rude was just saying I enjoyed the enthusiasm I do it simply for fun and to see what I might find I don’t resell or melt down if anyone wants stuff out of my finds I give it away

[@freddysworldextra3246]

i like this

[@vickiolson1198]

Even if things are stamped you should test them. You'd be amazed at the stuff marked 925 and 14K that are fake these days.

[@scrapyardmediamadness4687]

Hey that one item that you had that you thought I had a tooth inside it's actually cool it's not a tooth it's actually a grain a rice people tend to put the names or somebody's name on it or something important whatever you want you write it on the rice and then you capsule it for good luck so that's what that really is just if you was wondering. Lol😂✌🏽

[@whatcheryoung7496]

Yo seiko is a good watch brand man they make some expensive watches some thing with guess

[@jcsgodmother]

all of the watches are good for steampunk. He seems to be just looking for metals and is probably throwing a lot of good stuff away if he knew anything about jewelry or watches.

[@zzyzxzee6374]

Some seikos are junk. Guess is junk fashion watches with cheap chinese quartz movements

[@vickiolson1198]

Jewelers have discovered a new synthetic mineral that looks like and tests like a diamond using the old diamond testing tools. It can only be detected with a very expensive machine, so be careful with the contemporary pieces as you might not have a real diamond in them. With the older pieces you should have no problem.

[@stephaniepeaster3335]

Vicki Olson you can buy both the diamond tester and moissonite tester on eBay for 20$

[@MUDSWAT]

"Generally" 14k and higher gold have real stones 10k and under its "not so common" to have real stones. Rolex usually has a date display and its a very large display and stands out. Great job on the gold and silver. How round is that pearl? The rounder they are the more value they have. Nice finds HH!!

[@sallyi5005]

That’s a piece of rice with the name of a somemore.. I’ve seen those at the flea markets 😆

[@oorriibbss]

it was a grain of rice at the end. they sell them at amusement parks

[@BlessedBaubles]

By the way, I saw this video attached to a woman’s article I found on Google. That’s prob why your vid suddenly blew up on YT. If you want to know who she is I can dig thru my history and find it for you Again, I hope you will either team up with some of us that might know more about those vintage pieces that can be worth more than actual gold. Not kidding dude. A LOT of money to be made and gorgeous jewelry that you could pass along to others, then and passed along for many more generations to enjoy. Thanks!

[@MoonGoddessMinerals]

The last piece was a hange written on a grain of sand. They're trinket pieces from trips to the shore

[@OldDocSilver]

It’s a grain of rice with the persons name written on it. Probably got it in Las Vegas.

[@conniecrawford6429]

Just remember this, if you have pearls in any kind of gold. It is real pearls... you remind me of a friend of mine when you get excited lol...

[@tiawainwright2134]

The purple tube contains a grain of rice. It glows under black light, I have one.

[@shastasmith9924]

Thought i didn't get crap tthe other day. Turned out i got three very rare hand carved turn of the century fetish charms. Like anything you can tell the difference because quality. They are worth 350$

[@thetaxidermywitchsymbolism5215]

Im your newest subscriber. I thrift on my channel all the time! 🖤

[@Luca-qk2lr]

Oh noooo... the poor guess watch...

[@TheFlutterrbye]

A resale for old broken watches.... Folks that make resin jewelry will buy the gears from the watches to create steam punk jewelry. Check it out on KZbin.

[@jtubelee]

Hello Seiko... did you check that watch dude. Seiko has some expensive watches. Maybe you didn’t know of the brand at the time.

[@marianhoblyn1901]

16:43 it's a grain of rice. They were very popular in the 90's

[@alex-yb8ku]

The silver u found is about 50 cents or less a gram