Scratch Testing of Gold, Platinum & Silver

[@zaheersiddiqui7707]

Thanks for this nice video. Can we test rhodium for this method?

[@shorinternational3841]

In jewelry, rhodium is only used to plate the jewelry (primarily diamond mounted heads). However, if you want to determine whether an ingot is platinum or rhodium, a scratch line of rhodium will dissolve in sulfuric acid but platinum will not.

[@gabrielkawa432]

Thanks for making this video. Man, so does this mean pawn shops are scamming people? I was told that if it's green it's fake and not worth anything yet there are so many different colors the correspond to varying purity levels

[@blaniardmarshall8924]

Green is probably indicating copper. The test solutions are cheap. And if you only need a rough estimate of purity, you can use them without the test needles. Shor carries these products, but you can also get them through Amazon.

[@gabrielkawa432]

@@blaniardmarshall8924 Thanks

[@joho2341]

What would be the reaction if I tested platinum with the silver acid?

[@shorinternational3841]

The silver test acid is potassium dichromate and 70% strength nitric acid. Neither will react to platinum. However, palladium (a platinum group metal) will slowly dissolve and the scratch will disappear.

[@joho2341]

Wow I didnt expect a response so quickly, thanks for the knowledge

[@TheDailyDigestion]

Thank you so much!!!😍🎉🧘‍♂️🙏🏻😊👍❤️🐇🐈🎊🦋😘🥗

[@sayedalisafishah6666]

How we make difrent carat solutions?

[@shorinternational3841]

Sorry, you question is not clear. Please rephrase and provide more detail.

[@sayedalisafishah6666]

@@shorinternational3841 there are difrent kind of gold such as 14,18,20,21,22 ct very kind has own testing solution can i make these solutions at home? and how can i make these solutions?

[@shorinternational3841]

@@sayedalisafishah6666 Sorry, we don't have access to that information.

[@romeocadiz7129]

Where to buy here in philippines test kit

[@shorinternational3841]

You should be able to purchase something similar from your local jeweler's supply. If not, you can purchase test kits from Shor. Here's a link: www.ishor.com/precious-metal-test-kits-complete

[@maribelbascongada3412]

Where to buy scratch kit test?

[@shorinternational3841]

You can purchase from Shor (www.ishor.com/precious-metal-test-kits-complete) or pretty much, from any jeweler's supply company.

[@danielx40]

Never scratch your gold jewelry on a sanding stone. This method is more than stupid. It’ll scar your piece.

[@shorinternational3841]

A touchstone is not a sanding stone. It is much smoother, more like an Arkansas stone. This technique is time tested, over 4000 years old. The touchstone was first used during the Harappah period of the Indus Valley Civilization ca. 2600-1900 BC. Rubbing your jewelry against the stone will, of course, leave a very slight mark. This is easily and quickly removed with a light buffing. However, most people don't care about the mark because they are either buying or selling the jewelry and are only concerned with the precious metal content.

[@danielx40]

@@shorinternational3841 thank you for the explanation. I had bad experience with it. Once brought a solid gold Rolex Datejust to a jeweler, and the lady casually but forcefully scratched the corner of the lug to a touchstone. The corner was left with a visible flat area. After polish, the lug no longer retains its factory corner radius. My dealings with gold are limited to the watches, where scratching the piece on a Arkansas stone is unthinkable. Nonetheless, this tutorial is amazing. I would do it with other gold pieces.

[@shorinternational3841]

@@danielx40 Excellent point, Daniel. For something like a Rolex, they should not have even tested it. The gold content is already well documented and testing was unnecessary. Additionally, even if testing was desired, they should have used an electronic tester. That kind of tester may leave a slight discoloration on the metal, but the discoloration is easily removed with an ordinary pencil eraser.

[@danielx40]

@@shorinternational3841 Got it. Thank you for the information on electronic testers. Will look it up in the future.