posted on April 8, 2003 12:18:14 PM new
I have become interested in dealing in jewelry other than the usual costume that I presently sell. Could you please give me opinions on what type/brand of gold tester I should purchase? I really don't want to cut into it to test it. I have seen some small pieces ruined by this nick. Thanks so much!
[ edited by kasue on Apr 8, 2003 01:07 PM ]
posted on April 8, 2003 03:50:42 PM new
Sorry, can't help you. Most methods of testing for gold are (as you note) destructive. I have examined pieces tested this way and I don't buy them. Most had damage from repeated testing. Dealers selling to other dealers...the scourge of the antiques world.
The short and the long of it is that, with experience, you will be able to tell if it is gold simply by looking at it and handling it. I've gotten pretty good at it over time, but the real champ is my jeweler, who scores 100%. Haven't been able to stump her yet!
--
"I'm thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said `I drank WHAT?'"
posted on April 8, 2003 04:22:59 PM new
Go to www.kassoy.com. There you will find the traditional "gold acid test kit", for $50 or $60 bucks. Works fine, better than the $350 electronic testers, and is NOT destructive at all to the jewelry.
posted on April 8, 2003 04:52:23 PM new
I looked at the website and it said that you have to rub the item to be tested on the piece of stone hard enough to leave a color deposit. I think if it is leaving color behind it is also dulling or scratching the gold surface. I can usually tell goldplated items simply by looking at the piece through a jeweler's loop for worn spots. But this won't help me determine the the karat.
posted on April 8, 2003 08:32:45 PM new
It's a special stone. It does not damage the piece of jewelry. If I handed you a link chain, where I had tested 1 link with this method, you would not be able to tell what link had been tested. Even after examination with a jeweler's loupe for an hour.
.
.
.Note: It will not damage GOLD items. It will at times remove the plating from gold filled or plated items, in the small spot where you test.
