A popular method of relative accuracy for testing gold requires a set of testing needles with different tips of exact karat, a test stone and acids prepared for testing various karats.
For silver and base metals, use silver testing solutions.
The KASSOY GT301P Gold Test Kit contains the following:
- 3 plastic squeeze bottles containing test acids (1 each for 10kt, 14 kt, and 18kt)
- 1 set of test needles (10kt, 14 kt, 18 kt, and 22 kt)
- 1 test stone
- 1 storage box with dividers
- Instructions
Squeeze bottles of acid for testing silver and both 22 kt gold and platinum are also available.
TO FIND THE KARAT
Rub a piece of the item to be tested on the stone and leave a visible deposit. Choose the needle nearest to the karat value you asssume the gold to be and rub it on the test stone, leaving a visible doeposit next to the first one. Apply a drop of the acid approximating the karatage to each mark at the same time.
- If the two marks react to the acid at the same time, then the test sample is of similar karatage to the needle.
- If the test sample mark reacts sooner than the needle mark, then the test sample is of lower karatage.
- If the needle mark reacts sonner than the test sample mark, then the test sample is of higher karatage.
You should use a higher karat acid if there is little or no reaction to the acid. By repeated trials, the karat of the gold piece can be determined to a close approximation.
TESTING SILVER and OTHER METALS
File a deep notch in the time to be tested and aply a drop of silver testing solution in the notch. Different metal reac with the colors listed:
- Brass - Dark Brown
- Fine Silver - Bright Red
- Copper - Brown
- Silver 925 - Dark Red
- Nickel - Blue
- Silver 800 - Brown
- Paladium - None
- Silver 500 - Green
- Gold - None
- Lead - Yellow
- Tin - Yellow
TESTING ACIDS ARE DANGEROUS
AVOID BREATHING THE FUMES OR MAKING SKIN CONTACT
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