mkrichard said:
Literally just started buying scrap gold over the past week, I visit customers in their home, some of them looked horrified when i sugested using an acid stone as it is a destructive test and some people refused to let me test it.
Also i bought a un hallmarked ring which i tested and it came back as 18kt - 24kt gold ( my testing solutions is this one http://www.reagent.co.uk/gold-test-kit/gold-testing-kit-premium.html )
But when i inspected it its actually gold plated silver so i have lost about £60 on that item. Im now going to refuse un hallmarked items until i have an electric tester.
Also the testing sollution with my kit only does 9ct, 14-15ct and 18-24kt so i cant accurately test items.
Describe your testing method.
An acid test does not have to be destructive if done carefully. An electronic tester will still be fooled by plated items.
Read the Pawnbrokers guide to gold testing. (I don't have the link here right now, but it's on the board for downloading).
Here's my thoughts on how you should approach your buying situations:
1) 1st check everything with a magnet with at least a 20lb pull. Anything strongly magnetic can be discarded immediately. Anything slightly magnetic should be put aside for further inspection.
2) Separate everything leftover by hallmark. Put aside anything that does not have a hallmark - this will have to be tested.
3) Weigh everything by karat and give the customer an estimate - subject to scratch testing.
4) You do not need to file into everything - in fact I wouldn't unless it is a very thick or heavy piece - and I don't mean 10 or 15dwt. I'm talking about 50-60 dwt heavy chains that someone might have. Rings, chains, and earrings can be easily scratched on the stone without leaving a noticeable mark on the piece. If the seller decides to keep the piece, that can be polished out. If the piece is plated, the area where you scratched it on the stone will be a different color as the plating has been taken off.
5) Apply the acid to the stone and not directly to the jewelry. Watch the reactions. Experience will eventually help you a lot in this area.
6) Follow the steps 4-5 for the unhallmarked jewelry.
7) Sometimes, you will have to make several scratches in a row from the exact same point on the jewelry. If there is a heavy plating, it will come off in the subsequent scratches and the lines will change when you apply the acid.
This is how I used to deal with people when I was buying "over the counter".
In the time it takes you to test 5 pieces with an electronic tester, you can test 20+ pieces using a touchstone - IMHO.
