Introduction to Gold Testing

[@leicalvr]

This is one of the best educational videos I have seen on KZbin. Thank you very much. You should consider doing video instructions for the manufacturers of other products as well.

[@cudaguy74]

Thank you very much Scott great instructions especially cleaning the stone, using magnet etc for plating and the color tones for silver Outstanding!!!

[@denisebates3915]

This is by far the best video I've ever seen! THANK YOU!! Will be ordering from you.

[@richarcher499]

Very thorough and informative, A+

[@Thc14Me]

Thank you, very informative.

[@web262]

very good an thorough video.

[@stanlouis458]

I bought a test kit and have a small gold nugget that I rubbed onto the stone. After putting the test solution, 10k to 22k the mark was still there but little specks of the gold was floating in the solutions. Isn't the solution supposed to dissolve the gold mark? As mention in your answers to a post about 'gold running' you said that the solution is supposed to dissolve any alloy. Is that to say that the solution does not remove the gold from the stone, only the alloy, leaving behind the original gold scratch mark? Really confused as to the answer you gave regarding Robert Tyrell's question. thanks in advance

[@FDJtool]

The testing solutions were meant to be used on finished jewelry because there are general guidelines about 10, 14 18k alloys and such. With a nugget, the content could be anything. That being said, the testing solutions will work the same way. They don't dissolve the gold, but the alloy metals mixed with the gold. The gold will flake off, but won't dissolve. So the more gold, the more prominent the mark will remain. Low karat marks have little gold and will dissolve away, but high karat marks will remain "brighter" if I can use that word.

[@roberttyrrell2250]

I refine gold at home.I have tested my gold. One batch I'm sure was higher than 23k as it did not even run under 22k solution. If the gold runs but does not dissolve, does that mean it still better than 22k?

[@FDJtool]

Not sure what yo mean by the gold "running", but the idea of the testing solutions is to dissolve any alloy away leaving the gold the the scratch mark behind. So if you still have a strong gold mark left behind after using the 22k solution, them that is a good sign. Always keep in mind that the scratch test is a surface test only and doesn't indicate what the whole piece may be.