Gold Testing (What Gold Buyers Don't Want You to Know!)

Gold buyers generally only test using 10k, 14k, 18k, and 24k, and they only pay at the lowest test it passed. If you have a 22k chain and it passes 18k but not 24k, they are only going to pay you at the 18k rate and will pocket that extra 4k's worth when they sell to their wholesale buyer (usually by melting everything together and selling at exactly whatever k weight it all averages out to. They won't mention that they are only paying you for 18k, they just give you that price on a "take it or leave it" basis, and let you assume it the price for 22k because that's what it is stamped as (and is), but who ever checks their math? If you do check their math, they will say they can only determine it is at least 18k, and so "take it or leave it", and most people then take it and screw themselves. Here's how to easily and quickly use their own test solutions to figure out exactly what k it actually is, so you get paid accurately. Lets say you have a chain you believe to be 19k, so after it passes for 18k, you need to prove to the buyer it's 19k so you can get paid accurately, but there is no 19k test solution. Well by mixing up the appropriate ratio of 18k and 24k solutions, you can make a solution for any k weight in between 18k and 24k in just seconds. Here's how: Let's start with a 1/1 ratio as an example: 1 drop of 18k solution and 1 drop of 24k solution equals 21k... The different solutions are  just different ratios of Nitric acid to Hcl acid, and you can mix them to get any gold content you want by simple math. Say your piece passes 18k, but it is supposedly 19k. The difference in k's between 18k and 24k is 6, so 6 is you base. To get 19k simply mix 5 drops 18k with 1 drop 24k (6 drops total) and then use one drop of your mix to test with. In this case if it stayed yellow with that 5/1 solution you made, you know it is at least 19k, so then you would try for 20k, by mixing 4 drops 18k to 2 drops 24k. If it ate the yellow you know it is 19k because it failed at 20k... 14k and 18k are 4 k's/drops apart, so you will be base 4. For example, 2 drops of each solution creates 4 drops of 16k solution, (but so does 1 drop of each...), 3 drops of 14k and 1 drop of 18k makes a 15k solution, and obviously reversing that ratio makes a 17k solution. The same ratios would apply between 10k and 14k solutions to make 11k, 12k, and 13k solutions. So am I your friend or what???? :D

The acid can be neutralized with a little bit of water and baking soda if it gets on the skin :)

BTW: Most older and/or high quality jewelry is usually about 1k more than it is stamped as. Newer and/or lower quality pieces generally are what they are stamped as or a little less...

Nice breakdown Sandro, thanks!

This is a gift. Thanks.

THANK YOU for your honesty  ;)

I'm going to try this. Great video, thanks!

@VolcanicDrum Thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed the info and the video! Cheers!

Awesome video... So many people getting ripped off... 10-15% below spot is always pretty fair.. Thanks Again!!

Nice explanation of a 'Touch Stone' for testing a gold alloy sample. As you know 18 carot gold is 18 parts gold and 6 parts copper or silver to make a total of 24 carots. Green gold, an naturally occurring  alloy called Electrum is alloyed with silver and copper. Rose Gold is alloyed with copper only. Yellow gold [18/6 ratio] is alloyed with fine silver only.

One of the truest,  best and simplest gold videos on YouTube. Spot On! 

Very educational

In that business they cut your jewely to check if it has gold inside, but that testing if pretty much like they do to verefy what type of gold, etc.. Nice vid

Dude, You should be starting with the next lowest karat solution from what the stamp says. or you are wasting the gold. You only want to rub it once. If you start witht he highest solution, you will have to rub it again and again. If it is 14K start with the 12K and then move up to the 14K. Solution is cheaper than gold!

Great big Man-Hug to you Sandro. This is info I have always wanted to know. Cheers mate.

That's a very interesting and informative vid for a novice. Yes, it is worth it to buy all those testing solutions , scales etc via Ebay. KudosMr. Marino.

Excellent, here's a tip too: Use a windguard on your mic :)

A very useful video, thankyou.

Awesome, I'm bookmarking this. It's always nice to know what you have. Thanks! I already have a scale and it was only about $14, so it makes sense that you got a good deal.

Well done, Great explanation. I wish there was less back ground noise.