18k stamped jewelry

[kreinhardt]

In the second-hand world that I inhabit for business, we have a saying: "Buy the seller, not the piece." I hate to sound harsh, but if you're buying gold jewelry at a gas station, you've already tested positive for a willingness to be deceived. Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it most assuredly is.

As far as radioactive gold, I haven't yet seen anything that sophisticated in my years of urban mining. The fakes are sometimes heavy plate over base metal or steel, but most often fraudulent hallmarks where the gold is a much lower karat than the mark. A strong magnet and a good test kit solves these problems before they become yours.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I used to have 2 Geiger counters that I inherited from some old Uranium prospectors. I gave them away around 20 years ago, so I don't have a way to test mine either. The specific gravity is no where near 19. It is tough to do the S.G. in a parking lot, but did it later at home. I did trace the cheaters name, it is a Bulgarian name, so suspect that is where it is from, also possibly India. This is a big, well thought out scam. I don't know if this is the same organization affiliated with bullion scams. I sure wish they would get busted. They prey on peoples willingness to help others. A very bad trait to have.

These people have no respect for anyone else than themself.

 

[goldshark]

In the second-hand world that I inhabit for business, we have a saying: "Buy the seller, not the piece." I hate to sound harsh, but if you're buying gold jewelry at a gas station, you've already tested positive for a willingness to be deceived. Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it most assuredly is.

As far as radioactive gold, I haven't yet seen anything that sophisticated in my years of urban mining. The fakes are sometimes heavy plate over base metal or steel, but most often fraudulent hallmarks where the gold is a much lower karat than the mark. A strong magnet and a good test kit solves these problems before they become yours.

These people come up asking for help. If you don't offer help to somebody who claims they are in need, what kind of person are you? I have a Gold mine, so I didn't need their Gold. In my case, I had them sign a receipt, and their promise to buy it back when they got to a better place. I know the saying, f--- me once, shame on you, f--- me twice, shame on me. Once again, these people are the bottom of the bottom feeders. Not even worthy of being added to a stock pot. I hope the word gets out to everyone about this scam. At least with a corner pan handler, you have a choice to give , or not to give. These people prey on the basic human nature to be of assistance when needed. They are the worst kind of takers.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I used to have 2 Geiger counters that I inherited from some old Uranium prospectors. I gave them away around 20 years ago, so I don't have a way to test mine either. The specific gravity is no where near 19. It is tough to do the S.G. in a parking lot, but did it later at home. I did trace the cheaters name, it is a Bulgarian name, so suspect that is where it is from, also possibly India. This is a big, well thought out scam. I don't know if this is the same organization affiliated with bullion scams. I sure wish they would get busted. They prey on peoples willingness to help others. A very bad trait to have.

We have them here too, they are easy to spot most of the time.
Fancy cars and then stop you on the side of the road for the deal in the century.
Or out side a mall or where ever, and they can get quite aggressive.

 

[Shark]

Use the fakes to educate any and everyone who will listen. A while back the family and I were in a big shopping mall. A woman with three little kids ask for money and I passed her by. A half hour later we see her, a man and the three kids eating at a steak house known for its high prices. All while laughing and enjoying the evening. Scammers are the lowest form of scum.

 

[Alondro]

I used to have 2 Geiger counters that I inherited from some old Uranium prospectors. I gave them away around 20 years ago, so I don't have a way to test mine either. The specific gravity is no where near 19. It is tough to do the S.G. in a parking lot, but did it later at home. I did trace the cheaters name, it is a Bulgarian name, so suspect that is where it is from, also possibly India. This is a big, well thought out scam. I don't know if this is the same organization affiliated with bullion scams. I sure wish they would get busted. They prey on peoples willingness to help others. A very bad trait to have.

If they're way below 19 for density, then you're probably looking at a type of leaded brass.

 

[goldshark]

See my reply with the assay report attached. Same casting as in the video. There must be a boat load of this stuff out there.Like I said, trying to do an SG test in a Costco parking lot, and trying to help some people who appear to be seriously in need, I took a chance on being human. Not a big loss, but just makes me a little harder as a human. I don't want to get caught in somebody else B.S., but God does sometimes throw a curve ball, that you've never seen before.

 

[orvi]

See my reply with the assay report attached. Same casting as in the video. There must be a boat load of this stuff out there.Like I said, trying to do an SG test in a Costco parking lot, and trying to help some people who appear to be seriously in need, I took a chance on being human. Not a big loss, but just makes me a little harder as a human. I don't want to get caught in somebody else B.S., but God does sometimes throw a curve ball, that you've never seen before.

For regular cheap fake stuff, heating test is relatively straightforward - base metals oxidize being heated in air quite rapidly. Gold alloys just when really really hot, and pure gold never.

If it is thin gold plate, upon heating it start to diffuse into the base metal underneath. If thicker, it won´t oxidize. Usually, the new fake stuff is without nickel "anti-diffusion" underplating. And if there actually is nickel underplating, then it would be slightly magnetic, when you stick strong neodymium magnet to it (piece lying on some desk, stick magnet to it and observe if it has tendency to move or lightly clinge).

I would say with lighter and magnet, you will be able to spot more than 2/3-3/4 of the fake pieces. And it also feel light, due to BM base.
People like you describe won´t use rocket science to scam people. But I know about fake bullions first hand. And never buy a one without testing it with ultrasonic tester. Gravity testing or conductometric testing is very limited. Good tungsten-faked medals, coins or bullion will happily pass. Only thing you cannot fake is speed of sound in the material aaaand, also very good quality magnetic scales or of course, handsaw tungsten is relatively hard

 

[goldshark]

Use the fakes to educate any and everyone who will listen. A while back the family and I were in a big shopping mall. A woman with three little kids ask for money and I passed her by. A half hour later we see her, a man and the three kids eating at a steak house known for its high prices. All while laughing and enjoying the evening. Scammers are the lowest form of scum.

The funny part about it is, if the people would have just told me they were hungry, I would have bought them a nice meal, without accepting any thing in return. Pay it forward, someday I may be in that boat. But the deception these people throw out is what really gets me, and the dishonesty. It is not about the Gold, it is about the world we live in, and the codes. This dude abides.

 

[jphayesjr]

The first test I would suggest is to file a notch into the pieces (catch and save the filings). Then look closely with a strong magnifying lens or jeweler's loupe. 18K will be consistent looking throughout.

Second, see if they are attracted by a strong (neodymium) magnet like those found in computer hard drives. 18K jewelry will not be magnetic, while gold plated goods will be.

You can also check specific gravity. 18K should be very high, while plated will not be.

Whether it's worth trying to refine it is a personal decision depending on your personal goals.

Dave

I'd suggest common sense. Reputable PM bullion sellers don't set up rendezvous in parking lots, and do not sell at a discount off spot price unless you are paying cash and buying kilos of PMs. Even then, the discount is not gigantic.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I'd suggest common sense. Reputable PM bullion sellers don't set up rendezvous in parking lots, and do not sell at a discount off spot price unless you are paying cash and buying kilos of PMs. Even then, the discount is not gigantic.

We are talking about swindlers here, not reputable sellers
Most of us are not carrying around test kits and what not, but the lighter heating trick might be doable if they happen to cross my path

 

[tinrat]

I encountered a group of these scammers several years back. I’m from a small central Illinois town close to an iterstate. Happened to be out by our interchange to grab a sandwich at Burger King. The group was two older men and 4 or 5 women of assorted ages. A pretty gal approached me claiming they had car trouble earlier and needed fuel money. She claimed that if I could borrow them some cash for fuel I could hold this ring as collateral and would return in a few days and buy it back. I thought that would be fine being nieve to the scam.
I must look extra dumb as i aggreed to “borrow” them $50 to get them by.I only had a $20 on me so I was going inside to use the ATM of our local bank. I gave her the $20 for the ring I was holding and all the sudden she had another ring and a large heavy chain. She said I could hold them too if I could lend them $200 unstead of $50.
Well now I’m seeing the scam that this coming out of this. So I put yhe jewelry in my pocket and said I was heading in to the ATM. I s I started walking, I stopped and mentioned to her that I had a friend in town might be able to help them out too if she had more. She liked that idea and said that another of the ladies had more jewelry! As I started heading inside I told her he probably has a lot more cash on hand than I had, He’s a County Deputy and made pretty good money! I went through the door and headed for the ATM. Funny, while I was standing in front of the machine, she went back to their van, climbed in and off they went. I felt terrible that she left so quickly without procuring the rest of the cash I had promised to lend her and never got a chance to exchange telephone #s. Until reading this post I forgot about the jewelry. It’s out at the building shop where my shop is located. I knew it was scam garbage and forgot completely about it or I would have used it to help in my education of refining.
I’m going to have to look the stuff up. I have a cat out to my shop and don’t have an working Gieger Counter. Should I move the items to another location? Its 2800 sq ft and I don’t think the cat is ever close to that area of the building.

 

[orvi]

We are talking about swindlers here, not reputable sellers
Most of us are not carrying around test kits and what not, but the lighter heating trick might be doable if they happen to cross my path

If you do happen to have experience, and take off all of the glitternes and appearance aside from your mind, weight is the first obvious thing that can be spotted. Fake crap is light, composed mainly from copper, nickel and zinc. Half as heavy compared to regular 14k alloys. Experienced hand could feel this straight away. Then comes the magnet, and after magnet lighter...

I do not happen to carry vial of nitric acid to the shop - of course But I always carry a small, strong neodymium magnet with me. Due to various other things. And as sporadic smoker, I also have lighter with me. And lastly, if I feel uncomfortable about something, I simply say no. Or hand some small ammount of money, 5euros - explaining, with 5 in your hand, you can happily refuel few liters and drive to the nearest jeweller shop, where they give you fair money for your "gold"

 

[Alondro]

I encountered a group of these scammers several years back. I’m from a small central Illinois town close to an iterstate. Happened to be out by our interchange to grab a sandwich at Burger King. The group was two older men and 4 or 5 women of assorted ages. A pretty gal approached me claiming they had car trouble earlier and needed fuel money. She claimed that if I could borrow them some cash for fuel I could hold this ring as collateral and would return in a few days and buy it back. I thought that would be fine being nieve to the scam.
I must look extra dumb as i aggreed to “borrow” them $50 to get them by.I only had a $20 on me so I was going inside to use the ATM of our local bank. I gave her the $20 for the ring I was holding and all the sudden she had another ring and a large heavy chain. She said I could hold them too if I could lend them $200 unstead of $50.
Well now I’m seeing the scam that this coming out of this. So I put yhe jewelry in my pocket and said I was heading in to the ATM. I s I started walking, I stopped and mentioned to her that I had a friend in town might be able to help them out too if she had more. She liked that idea and said that another of the ladies had more jewelry! As I started heading inside I told her he probably has a lot more cash on hand than I had, He’s a County Deputy and made pretty good money! I went through the door and headed for the ATM. Funny, while I was standing in front of the machine, she went back to their van, climbed in and off they went. I felt terrible that she left so quickly without procuring the rest of the cash I had promised to lend her and never got a chance to exchange telephone #s. Until reading this post I forgot about the jewelry. It’s out at the building shop where my shop is located. I knew it was scam garbage and forgot completely about it or I would have used it to help in my education of refining.
I’m going to have to look the stuff up. I have a cat out to my shop and don’t have an working Gieger Counter. Should I move the items to another location? Its 2800 sq ft and I don’t think the cat is ever close to that area of the building.

Alas, you are DOOMED! The fake coin was probably composed of UNOBTANIUM! You'll soon transform into a weird-looking blue cat person due to the exposure!

lol