Old Eye Glasses Frames?

[truenorth]

I see old eye glass frames all the time; you know, the wire frame, old ladies style.
Short of nitric, what is a quick test to tell if the have gold in the frame?
Im really new to thrift store treasure hunting. Im well versed in the creek, pick and pan though.

 

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[Indian Steve]

Usually they are marked on the nose bridge and on the arms. Most that I have found are gold filled.

 

[No gold in NY]

Gold filled is good. Better than plated. I found a gold filled floral pin. Kinda hefty for it's size.

 

[randazzo1]

I’ve found several pairs marked “Extra Fancy” which are solid gold.

 

[tamrock]

The ratio of gold to base metal on old gold filled eye glasses frames is good and I just looked on eBay for recently sold scap frames. The top seller was 9.5 lbs pile of 1/10 12k GF frame pieces that sold for $6012.00 + $14.35 in freight to the buyer. I see the GF frames here and there, but I've never bought any as most I see are being sold as antiques and more than likely not worth the their asking price. Solid gold frames are rare, as they're to soft a metal to hold up as a pair of glasses, but they do exist, but I wouldn't buy any unless it's marked as karat gold or hallmarked and pass my testing. So if my math is correct old gf eye glasses frames could be worth in and around a $1.40 a gram.

 

[boogeyman]

Don't forget to think outside the box! Contact prop shops and costume stores too! A friend used to end up with boxes of glasses and sun glasses. He had a props buyer for Warner Bros. That would come out glance at what he had, ask what he wanted & whip out the check book no dickering nothing. After he passed away, she came over looking for him. Ended up showing her stuff I had for the swap meet. She asked me how much, and I stupidly asked for what. She said all of it! Out came the check book & we had a cup of coffee while the helper kid loaded the truck. Costume shops sometimes will buy your junk costume stuff if they can get stuff and make a profit. Don't know about you folks, but I'd rather dump a box than spend time piecing it out.

Another think out of the box tip. Got a few little kids in the family? Starbucks Frapachino bottle filled with coins & costume = Treasure bottle for Christmas. Pretty cool when they'd rather look at their treasure than open the rest of their presents.