Thursday, February 21, 2013

Acid Test Procedure for Testing Precious Metals


It is important to note that precious metals is tested with Nitric Acid.  Different acids dissolve different types of materials.  There are many types of acid and not all types are good for testing your precious
metals.  Nitric Acid does not dissolve precious metals in any way. 

Some methods of conductivity and displacement for testing precious metals leave too much room for human error.  Equipment failure, calibration and control over the results mechanically leave you wondering. 

When you test precious metals, the age-old method of the acid test seems to be the test of choice to most precious metal buyers.  Since the test and the precious metal are two elements, the state of mater for each is static and does not have variables.  Therefore it is a consistent manor to test precious metals.  Very few tests outside of the acid test have reliability.  Since the typical gold seller is not familiar with the many methods, I would try to stay with a company that acid tests your precious metals.   

When testing with acid, every testing kit comes with one or more acids varying in potency.  It also comes with a stone for creating a rub from the precious metal to be tested.  With the precious metal, you rub an area of the jewelry/etc. on the stone and it leaves a small line of the metal we call a rubbing.  I like to start with the acid potency for 14K for gold.  In the center of the gold rub dab a small portion of the 14k acid.  If the acid dissolves it is of a lesser karat value than 14kt gold.  You then perform the same test on the edge of the gold rubbing with the 10kt acid.  If it dissolves the gold is not real.  If the 14kt acid did not dissolve, then take the 18kt acid and test another spot on the line.  Finally when the gold dissolves with the acid potency on a gradual increase, the karat value of the gold you are testing is revealed.  If it never dissolves you have 24kt gold.

You've heard the testing methods.  What would you prefer to see when you sell gold?

Kevin Robbins, Gold Solutions http://www.goldsolutionsoffortmyers.com/contact.html#.USTuKFojpws




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