Transcript
Page 1: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

Separate Gold-Plated from GoldSeparate Gold-Plated from Gold

SILVER AND GOLD EXCHANGE LLC silverandgoldexchange.com

SILVER AND GOLD EXCHANGE LLC silverandgoldexchange.com

Cash for Gold?Cash for Gold?

Page 2: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

You have gathered your scrap gold and You have gathered your scrap gold and are ready to turn it into cash, but not are ready to turn it into cash, but not

quite sure what it would be worth.quite sure what it would be worth.

Page 3: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

You shouldn’t gamble the real worth of your gold treasure You shouldn’t gamble the real worth of your gold treasure if you’re uncertain if it’s the real deal or gold-plated.if you’re uncertain if it’s the real deal or gold-plated.

If you aren’t planning to find a gold professional to If you aren’t planning to find a gold professional to appraise your scrap gold, there are a few ‘do it yourself’ appraise your scrap gold, there are a few ‘do it yourself’ ways you can use to help decipher real gold from gold-ways you can use to help decipher real gold from gold-

plated.plated.

Page 4: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

Check for any would-be official markings that either Check for any would-be official markings that either reveal the karat (10k, 12k ) or the fineness of the item (1-reveal the karat (10k, 12k ) or the fineness of the item (1-

999). These markings are rather small and a 999). These markings are rather small and a magnifying glass will come in handy. magnifying glass will come in handy.

Sounds easy but this method isn’t very reliable since Sounds easy but this method isn’t very reliable since counterfeits can have similar markings. You might want to counterfeits can have similar markings. You might want to

conduct further testing.conduct further testing.

Gold MarkingsGold Markings

Page 5: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

Check for any would-be official markings that either Check for any would-be official markings that either reveal the karat (10k, 12k ) or the fineness of the item (1-reveal the karat (10k, 12k ) or the fineness of the item (1-

999). These markings are rather small and a 999). These markings are rather small and a magnifying glass will come in handy. magnifying glass will come in handy.

Sounds easy but this method isn’t very reliable since Sounds easy but this method isn’t very reliable since counterfeits can have similar markings. You might want to counterfeits can have similar markings. You might want to

conduct further testing.conduct further testing.

Gold MarkingsGold Markings

Page 6: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

Be on the look out for any changes in appearance Be on the look out for any changes in appearance especially in color. especially in color.

Pure gold, no matter how often it is used and regardless Pure gold, no matter how often it is used and regardless of how much friction it encounters, should not of how much friction it encounters, should not

change color. change color.

If you an underlying second color, the item is most If you an underlying second color, the item is most likely to be a gold-plate and not pure gold.likely to be a gold-plate and not pure gold.

Gold AppearanceGold Appearance

Page 7: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

Make a very ‘microscopic’ scratch on the gold item’s Make a very ‘microscopic’ scratch on the gold item’s surface. Apply a small amount of nitric acid on the surface. Apply a small amount of nitric acid on the

scratched area (make sure you wear protective gloves). scratched area (make sure you wear protective gloves).

If you don’t detect any reaction, you have pure gold in If you don’t detect any reaction, you have pure gold in your hands. However, should the surface change to your hands. However, should the surface change to

green, it is gold-plating. green, it is gold-plating.

Do not forget to clean up your gold afterwards with Do not forget to clean up your gold afterwards with water as nitric acid can cause corrosion.water as nitric acid can cause corrosion.

Gold Acid TestGold Acid Test

Page 8: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

Pure gold is denser than most metals. Pure gold is denser than most metals.

You can therefore weigh your items by using a scale. You can therefore weigh your items by using a scale. Put water into a small glass container with calibrationsPut water into a small glass container with calibrations

(in millimeters). (in millimeters).

Precisely mark readings before and after immersion Precisely mark readings before and after immersion of item to obtain the weight difference. Standard of item to obtain the weight difference. Standard g/ml ratio for gold is 19 g/ml; with density being g/ml ratio for gold is 19 g/ml; with density being

calculated as mass/volume displaced.calculated as mass/volume displaced.

Determine WeightDetermine Weight

Page 9: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

run the gold item across the ceramic to see if it run the gold item across the ceramic to see if it leaves a black mark. leaves a black mark.

If no black mark is left, then probably your item If no black mark is left, then probably your item isn’t pure gold. The problem using this type of isn’t pure gold. The problem using this type of testing is that it can easily scratch your gold.testing is that it can easily scratch your gold.

Using An Unglazed CeramicUsing An Unglazed Ceramic

Page 10: Cash for Gold? Separate Gold-Plated from Gold

All the above gold detection processes All the above gold detection processes have their own setbacks, therefore it is have their own setbacks, therefore it is highly advisable to seek the advice of a highly advisable to seek the advice of a

professional for appropriate gold professional for appropriate gold appraisalappraisal

SILVER AND GOLD EXCHANGE LLC silverandgoldexchange.com

SILVER AND GOLD EXCHANGE LLC silverandgoldexchange.com


Recommended