Platinum, Gold and Silver Testing Information Links (Identify what you have)

[Functional]

(If this page looks like a repeat, its because I posted it in Today's Find's, but felt it was useful information for nugget hunters and miner's also.)

Ok, so I don't have a personal website to post all my links and I couldn't see another forum that was any better suited to post this information, (other than perhaps those forums aimed at MDing for nuggets, or prospecting and mining.

The following links are for all those people who don't know what they have and keep having to go to jeweler's and pawn shops to have a ring, necklace, charm bracelet, watchband, earrings, coins, suspected gold nugget, mickey mouse, etc. tested. No, you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars and take university courses to do the simple tests needed to identify the metal your jewelry is made from. For as little as $20 to $30, (mor if you want to be fancy about it), you can save yourself repeated trips to a jeweler, along with the stress, anxiety and dreaded anticipation of doom over finding out that your prize piece of MDed jewelry is junk, (but they offer you a few bucks for it, out of the kindness of thier hearts).

First you'll need to educate yourself on how to conduct the simple tests and learn how to safely do the tests to determine what it is you have. The next two links discuss how to do this:

Lacy West Supplies.
http://www.lacywest.com/t_goldt.htm

Contenti Jewelry Tools and Supplies, Testing Precious Metals and Their Alloys.
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/testing-Metals-and-alloys.htm


This has to be the best, (most affordable), place I've found on the web for testing supplies and kits, scales, jeweler's instuments, etc.:
http://www.wholesale-scales.com/
(Compare prices here:
http://www.centercoin.com/jewelry_supplies/gold_silver_testing_kits.htm
and here:
http://wholesale-scales.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=28
can you see the difference?)

I should mention this website as they do have some reasonable prices:
http://www.mysimon.com/9000-11021_8-0.html?sdcq=keyword-jewelry+supply
(I like the jewelers loupes. I never go anywhere without my pocket magnifier.)

This next link is all about hallmarks you may encounter when trying to identify a piece of jewelry:

The Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Maker's Marks.
http://www.925-1000.com/

Enjoy the links in good health and don't get rambunctious when doing any of these tests. Remember to play safe!

F.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[Functional]

This is some follow up information I also posted in Today's Find's.

I forgot to mention something in my previous post. For those who are concerned about handling acid's, there are electronic gem testers and even electronic gold testers on the one website I mentioned, (see links below).

Electronic Gem Testers:
http://www.wholesale-scales.com/ind...ath=12&zenid=33acc03e51e33725480e2b4c7b19f28b

Electronic Gold Testers:
http://www.wholesale-scales.com/ind...ath=31&zenid=33acc03e51e33725480e2b4c7b19f28b

They also have carat scales, ultrasonic cleaners, a pocket diamond carat guage, watch and jewelry tools, etc. ( I should be getting a commission off of this.)

But, perhaps more importantly, I saw a pair of "Steam Cleaning Stainless steal tweezers" on that website and was reminded of a watch repair guy I met who made a DIY steam cleaner for watches, metal watch straps and jewelry cleaning, out of an used home style espresso machine and the nozzle of a propane torch. (Not the kind of torch that has the nozzle attached directly to the propane tank, but the type that has a hose from the tank to the hand held nozzle.)

The quote below is from:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Do-It-Yourself/Clean_jewelry
"The combination of ultrasonic cleaning followed by steam cleaning your jewelry cannot be beat. The ultrasonic waves, cavitations, break up particles of dirt and contaminants that are even hidden in tiny crevices and undercuts and brings them to the surface. Then, the steam cleaner removes them. Please note; jewelry cleaners are for fine jewelry (gold, silver, precious stones) and not costume jewelry (rhinestones, plated, plastic)."

You can get a factory made steam cleaner for $99.99 from: http://www.jeweljet.com/
But I like DIY home made things. There are several brands out there and they all vary widely in price. Here's an example: http://www.kassoy.com/clean001.htm


Of importance to Canadians who order products from the U.S.A.:
If your thinking of ordering something like the "Gold, Silver, and Platinum Test Kit" from the link I posted, or any other item that is $20.00 and up, (after exchange rate and taxes), you might want to order the individual products separately, or in portions small enough that you don't have to pay the duty and end up having to pay a broker's fee that could be as high as $50.00 extra.

A quote, saying not to "break up" an order:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d8-2-2/d8-2-2-e.html
"6. In order for mail items valued at CAN$20 or less to receive the benefit of the Postal Imports Remission Order, or the benefit of non-taxable status under section 7 of Schedule VII of the Excise Tax Act, the total shipment must be subject to a single transaction. It is not acceptable to divide an order into several packages so that each individual mail item has a value of under CAN$20."

Man these Canadian politicians are real jerks. According to them, as a person who lives in a small town without mail delivery, having a P.O. Box means I don't even qualify for the $20 duty free exemption. Quote from:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/postal/ind_duty_free-e.html
"Some items do not qualify for the $20 CAN exemption:
* tobacco
* books
* periodicals
* magazines
* alcoholic beverages
* goods ordered through a Canadian post office box or intermediary"


Ordering Gold Platinum Silver Test Kits from Canadian Companies:
I just looked and found that the same Gold Test Kit is available from a Canadian Company, but its $99.95 Canadian.
See: http://www.lacywest.com/02test.htm

Or, you can order the Wooden Test Box, with five compartments $14.95, the Testing Needles - Set of 4 for $29.95, the 14K 18K and 22K Test Acid's for $16.00 total, (plus $9.45 extra for the silver and platinum test acid's). From what I see, the acid's are the most reasonable price. The total being $60.35 Canadian, with the extra silver and platinum test acid's Then you would still have to order the Economy Test Stone for use with Test Acid's from the U.S. for $3.00 plus postage.

Another site that has the same kit for $79.95 Canadian:
http://lacytools.ca/catalog/index.php/cPath/406
(Could be the same company, but they have a very extensve line of products.)

And of course there eBay Canada where a gold test kit with box is selling at a "But it now" price of $23.26, with other kits ranging in price up to about $55.00 Canadian.

This post is getting too long so I'll leave it at that and let you decide for yourself what to do.

Have a nice day!

F.

 

[Nullers]

Functional,

Thanks so much for posting all the links, I've been wondering about test kits and you just saved me a ton of research!!

N

 

[Functional]

Functional,

Thanks so much for posting all the links, I've been wondering about test kits and you just saved me a ton of research!!

N

Glad theres someone who finds the links useful. I fugured that since I had an interest in this stuff, someone else likely would too.

F.