Garfield Refining
reviews and complaints

I have been a jeweler for all of my adult life, and it had been a while since I sent any sweeps or outside purchases (from yard sales, flea markets, etcetera), and the refinery I used to deal with had gone out of business, so I decided to give Garfield a try.

Like many of the other reviewers, I weighed categorized and tested everything possible (filing deep into marked materials like karat gold and unknowns) and calculated that from my testing (using caustics, touchstones, etcetera) I calculated over $1500USD worth of silver, karat gold, filled items and about 3 grams of old, likely cadmium-containing 950 platinum solder (also well marked and tested).

Garfield offered me about $850USD and accounted for the full weight of the parcel, including untested sweeps, and the platinum was NOT included in the report. When I called to point this out, they offered to test my material again, still finding NO platinum whatsoever, and with no change to the final report, about $650USD light from my already conservative estimate.

I took the check and filed a formal complaint with the federal trade commission.

Carol Effinger

33 points

2 days ago

I sent in 10 ounces of gold jewelry and 3 crowns. Result was only one ounce of gold. I’m sure some of the chains, etc maybe we’re not 14 carat gold. The earrings were 14 carat gold. I had wedding rings in there that were more than one ounce and other fine jewelry. I was wanting my 2 half carat diamonds back but mysteriously they disappeared. They tried to tell me they were fake diamonds. No they were REAL! I had a jeweler verify the diamonds 5 years ago. They were from my Grandmother‘a wedding set. I feel ripped off. Just the rings alone were more than 1 ounce. Maybe people just don’t speak up. I was assured that this was a reputable business from my dentist. I lost a lot of money here. This company needs to be investigated. This is worth getting my lawyer involved.

1

Response from the owner 12 hours ago

Carol, we are sorry to learn you are not satisfied with your experience refining with us.

In reference to the value of your materials, your valuation is based on the amount of pure precious metal recovered after processing.

We would also like to apologize the stone removal process was not clearly understood before we received your materials for refining.

We do offer risk free refining, if you would like your materials returned in your process form – please let us know as soon as possible.

Response from Carol Effinger:

I understood the stone removal before sending it in. The stones were real. At first the associate said that the value was added in the total. Next the associate was trying to tell me they were not real that they disintegrated in the process and that if they were real the diamonds would’ve been left behind. They were real! Diamonds are indestructible. My conclusion is that someone there stole them.

The second point I have is that I sent in 10 ounces of gold jewelry. How could that possibly turn out to be only 1 ounce of refined. Does not add up. One ounce is nothing. If you used the Miller process on my gold, I just have a had time believing I had 9 ounces of impurities. Really doesn’t add up. I know I had old quality gold.

Had 14kt gold tested bracelet sent in. Was tested before I sent it. 14.1grams and silver .925 tested 10.1 grams. Both had k stamps and jewler stamps. Worth appx$ 500.00 offered only $80, 00. Sellers beware!

This company stole from me over at $1000 in the gold I send them. To test this company I send them $1300 in gold to be refine and them I got a check for almost $300. I been doing business for 35 years in the gold industry I own two jewelry stores I do my own refining and to save time I send them my gold. Never ever at company that I had use before had been this dishonest greedy and stupid. They tough they were dealing with another regular Jewelry owner that don't know much big mistake for them; because for that I will make sure every body knows about them, I had place at formal complaint in BBB. Jewelery owners be aware, ones you send your gold to this company is out of your hands and is nothing you could do to avoid been robed.

As a jewelry retailer we send in scrap gold for refining peiodically, I have used garfield a few times in the past with skepticism and I can usually count on them pinching some. this time what should have been $9600. was $8800. that was a bit more than a pinch. it was a vaseline job, only wish I had a chance to use some beforehand. I only used them because of speed and convenience. no more for me thanks. 3 times a charm.
I feel that thieves might have more conscience than these people. they would not even return my call. my opinion is stay far, far away from them. also people if you have runnings with them feel free to lodge a complaint with the FTC and attorney general.