When testing for gold content, you will need a testing stone, testing needles and testing acids. Being able to test gold for content allows for accuracy when determining what karat designation your gold actually is. The process of testing gold for karat content is relatively easy and can be done in a matter of minutes.

Testing Your Gold

When you are ready to test your item, you will need to have your testing stone and the various testing needles along with acids. You can usually test for 10-, 14-, 18- and 22-karat content. Take your sample, and put a small scratch on the testing stone. Take one of the testing needles that you believe is closest to your sample, and scratch the needle next to the sample scratch. For example, if you believe your sample is 14 karat, you will want to use the 14-karat needle and the 14-karat testing acid as well. Take the acid and place a very small drop on the sample scratch. If the sample scratch test reacts the same as the needle test, you have a positive result for that karat test. If your test sample scratch reacts sooner than your needle mark, your sample scratch has a lower gold content. If the needle scratch reacts sooner than the sample scratch, your sample test has a higher karat content. Repeat this test until the sample and needle test are the same. For each test that you do, the needle and acid have to match. For example, if you use a 10-karat needle, you will have to use the 10-karat acid as well. The testing of items for gold content is not a difficult test, but an individual should practice this process so that he or she can become comfortable with the variations in testing procedures.

Source:

National Jewelers Supplies

Resource:

Utilisegold