If two buyers quote different numbers for the same bag of dental scrap, it doesn’t automatically mean someone is “lowballing.” It usually means they’re pricing different assumptions — alloy mix, recoverable content, and how much uncertainty is baked into the offer. This quick guide explains the biggest quote drivers in plain language for dental professionals.
Dental scrap can look similar in a bag, but the metallurgy behind it can be very different. Quotes vary because buyers are estimating how much recoverable precious metal is actually present across the mix.
A bag that’s mostly high-gold yellow alloys will price very differently than a bag that includes more white alloys, base-metal restorations, or pieces with ceramic layers and cement.
The fastest way quotes separate is simple: how much of your mix is likely to be higher-gold alloys vs lower-gold or non-precious. Most buyers price based on expected recovery after refining, and that expectation shifts with the mix.
Two buyers can look at the same bag and assume a different “average” alloy profile — and that single difference shows up as a different quote.
Total weight includes everything: metal, cement, porcelain/ceramic, and any contamination. Refiners care about what can be recovered. If a buyer expects a higher portion of non-metal content, they’ll quote more conservatively.
That’s also why “looks like a lot” doesn’t always equal “high value.” A smaller bag with dense, high-gold alloys can outvalue a larger bag with more mixed materials.
When buyers can’t confidently estimate the alloy profile, many will default to a conservative blended assumption. That protects them from overpaying if the mix is mostly low-value or non-precious material.
Other buyers may be willing to quote more aggressively if they have confidence in the mix (or if they plan to verify quickly).
Not all buyers have the same costs. Settlement timelines, minimum lots, refining fees, and how payouts are structured can vary. Some quotes are based on “best case” recovery; others bake in more cost and margin.
