# Metal ingots and casting grain

> Ingots and casting grain are the starting metal in casting; how to calculate the amount of metal for a piece and which alloys are used.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/metal-ingots-and-casting-grain/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-07-22
- Updated: 2026-07-22
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/lingotes-y-granalla-de-metal/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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The starting metal for casting comes as ingots (bars or plates) or as grain, small pellets of alloy that melt quickly and are easy to weigh.

## Casting grain

Pellets of the chosen alloy (14 or 18 karat gold, sterling silver, bronze…). They melt quickly and let you adjust the amount precisely.

## Ingots

Bars or blocks of alloy. They are used for larger castings or to be rolled in a [rolling mill](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-mills/) into sheet or wire.

## How to calculate the metal

Weigh the wax model and multiply by a density factor for the metal. As a guide, the factor for sterling silver is about 10 times the weight of the wax, and for 18K gold about 15 or 16. Add a small margin for the sprue.

## Recycling

Casting scrap (sprues, cut-offs) is reused: melt it again with fresh metal to keep the alloy's quality.

## Purity

Check the alloy's hallmark (see [hallmarks and stamps](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-hallmarks-and-stamps/)) and buy from trusted suppliers.

## See also

- [Casting crucibles: types, uses and care](https://www.711grados.com/en/casting-crucibles/)
- [Jewelry hallmarks and stamps: what 925, 750 or 585 mean](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-hallmarks-and-stamps/)
- [Gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/)
- [Silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/silver/)