Olddude: The difference in red brass and yellow brass is pretty easy to distinguish. Red brass does have a higher concentration (around 60%) of copper as Mick suggested which is why it is more valuable than yellow. It is used in a lot of construction and mechanical aspects, in things such as sprinklers(think about those really old hose nozzles that look like copper), bushings, and valves. Yellow brass is used alot for decoration(although I have seen a lot of dresser drawer handles with red brass) and is exactly what it's name attests to: yellow. You can find this as door hinges, decorative hardware(door handles, drawer/cabinet handles, faucets), keys, and a lot of instruments are made from yellow brass like trumpet, trombone, sax(there are instruments that are made of red brass, but they are much rarer). Another great distinguishable trait of yellow brass is it MUCH shinier and brighter than red brass. If you are still unsure you can use a file to sand a spot on the object. If the shavings are orange in color then it is red brass, if they are a pale yellow.... then it's yellow! The difference in price per lb is usually around 50 cents, the higher being paid for red brass.
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