Though Tempe Pawn And Gold is a very busy gold buyer and a pawn shop in Tempe but we can’t forget our readers who area always asking questions regarding the purity tests for gold and silver. Today we decided to come up with a blog posts which could satisfy our those readers who want to know how exactly gold and silver are tested for purity.
While it is not that hard for seasoned buyers to actually figure out if they are holding the pure gold and silver in their hands, some people like me who have had some tenuous experiences in the beginning do recall the saying every time we engage in the trade of precious metals. “All that glitters is not gold”.
The very basic and elementary test in place to determine the purity of Precious metals including gold and silver is the verification of the HALLMARK. The hallmark depending on the type of the jewelry or piece of the precious metal can either be obvious to the naked eye or in most cases can be viewed with the magnifying glass. Often these HALLMARKS are induced or marked at the base or side line of the GOLD or SILVER. The Hallmarks are the certificates by the smelter or the goldsmith to ensure the purity of the composition used accordingly with the density of the precious metal. For example, if a HALLMARK reads 91.6 it means gold purity of 91.6% or there is a composition of 916 points of gold present in every 1000 points of the item under test. 1000 would stand for 24 KARAT Gold and 750 equate 18 KARAT GOLD purity.
If there is any doubt in the above test, or if there is a large amount of silver and gold articles for you to verify, there is an even better way to quickly analyze the purity levels for the precious metals. A device commonly used by most goldsmiths and gold buyers alike known as CARATOMETER. Although not favored by many other standards this device gives you the actual weight of the precious metals in minute details such as grams.
Another device other than the CARATOMETER, employed to ascertain the value and purity of gold and silver is ELECTRONIC TESTER. These devices are more common and frequently used by the goldsmiths. Compared to guesswork and carat meter, these electronic testers are more reliable but can cost a big buck. Also it is not advised to use some low quality electric testers to discern the value of the gold and silver as the findings are going to faulty more than likely.
If all above fails to satisfy the urge to value the gold and silver, there is yet another method which is typically old school but a remarkable test nonetheless. Without damaging or tampering your valuables, this density displacement test can give the desired results. However, the steps involved are very acute and thus require attention. It is possible that a step is missed or is not performed as required. So there is a chance that the test itself is revised for a few times in order to come to a satisfactory conclusion.
Density displacement is done for gold at 19.3 grams/cubic centimeter and for silver at 10.49 grams/cubic centimeter. If the result for any metal falls short under the defined density levels, it means the product under observation is more likely tampered with some other low weight alloy to fake it. If it exceeds than you are in the green zone. A close range is always the certain idea that you have the perfect element in your possession.
Finally, in order to be one hundred percent sure that you have the actual and real gold or silver with you, you can either try to have your jewelry verified by a goldsmith for a nominal charge. What they will do is to perform a test known as FIRE ARRAY. This test is the only guaranteed test that actually determines the exact purity value of both gold and silver. In Fire Array, a part of the jewelry or metal is cut in between and than is exposed to acid test which results the findings. But be aware, this test is only possible for a certified jeweler or a goldsmith and is subject to some charges as mentioned earlier.