steve in so la
Well-known member
Thought I'd show how I use my gold test kit. You can buy them on the net or at a jewelry supply house.
First, here's the gold medal I dug this morning - no karat stamp anywhere, I checked with a magnifier.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d724b3127ccebaef7a81ea5300000026108AcuGbZs0asw">
Next, here's my test set - pardon the blurry pic. You can buy any set you want from 10 K through 24 K.
<center><img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2df39b3127cce9eeecc3c41fa00000046108AcuGbZs0asw">
Next, scratch the item on the stone that's provided in the kit. Then put a small drop of the lowest karat you have. If it eats the line away the item is not gold. If it stays then go up a karat and see. In mine I put a 10 K drop on and then a drop of 14 K. The 14K drop ate the line away so the item is 10 K. If the 14 K does not dissolve the line then go up again, and so forth. The great majority will be either 10 or 14 karat.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da35b3127cce9172731cf94900000016108AcuGbZs0asw">
Lastly, and very important - after you have scratched the item on the stone, check up close to see if the scratched area is still gold colored. If the item is gold plated you may be testing the plating only. So check to be sure there is not a base metal underneath the surface.
I dig a fair number of items that turn out to be unstamped gold so don't throw your gold away
Steve in so az
<center><img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d724b3127ccebaef7a8fea5d00000026108AcuGbZs0asw">
First, here's the gold medal I dug this morning - no karat stamp anywhere, I checked with a magnifier.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d724b3127ccebaef7a81ea5300000026108AcuGbZs0asw">
Next, here's my test set - pardon the blurry pic. You can buy any set you want from 10 K through 24 K.
<center><img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2df39b3127cce9eeecc3c41fa00000046108AcuGbZs0asw">
Next, scratch the item on the stone that's provided in the kit. Then put a small drop of the lowest karat you have. If it eats the line away the item is not gold. If it stays then go up a karat and see. In mine I put a 10 K drop on and then a drop of 14 K. The 14K drop ate the line away so the item is 10 K. If the 14 K does not dissolve the line then go up again, and so forth. The great majority will be either 10 or 14 karat.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da35b3127cce9172731cf94900000016108AcuGbZs0asw">
Lastly, and very important - after you have scratched the item on the stone, check up close to see if the scratched area is still gold colored. If the item is gold plated you may be testing the plating only. So check to be sure there is not a base metal underneath the surface.
I dig a fair number of items that turn out to be unstamped gold so don't throw your gold away
Steve in so az
<center><img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d724b3127ccebaef7a8fea5d00000026108AcuGbZs0asw">