How to Buy a Gold & Silver Testing Kit

There are several things you need to buy to build a good gold and silver testing kit. This article looks at and coordinates with my previous 3 articles relating to how to find almost free gold and silver. A modest investment can bring in significant returns as you become more and more experienced at using these tools to find precious metals at prices you can make a profit on. The kit should contain the following:

1) A strong magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe
2) Acids and a touch stone for testing gold content
3) A gold tipped needle set for testing acid accuracy
4) An accurate scale
5) Assorted tools for removing stones from gold and silver jewelry
6) A fairly strong magnet

Magnifying Glass or Jeweler Loupe

This is a very important piece of equipment. Not only does it reveal the markings on gold and silver which tell you if it is a genuine piece of precious metal, but it also allow you to see physical traits such as plating which helps you determine whether the item you are holding is solid gold or silver or just plated and therefore worth very little.

The best magnifiers are 10 power (10X) jeweler's loupes which fold and can be easily carried in your pocket. An inexpensive two lens doublet generally cost from $5 to $25. There is no need to spent $25 for this item. They are available in coin and stamp collectors stores and jewelry supply houses. You can save money by buying the same item on eBay.

A triplet loupe contains 3 lenses and is more expensive. I have a Nikon triplet loupe which cost over $50. These are only need if you buy gems and want a greater depth of field, color correction, and better clarity. You will not need this for gold or silver. Beware of foreign triplets from China as they often are not triplets at all but one thick lens with none of the attributes of a triplet.

Acids & a Touch Stone for Testing Gold Content

If you take an item and rub it on a touch stone producing a line of the metal you are testing, you can then apply a drop of acid to see if the item is gold and what karat gold it is. If the line with the acid drop fades then it is not the karat gold of the testing acid. Try a lower karat testing acid and if the line stays intact without fading then that is the true karat of the gold. 18K gold is almost twice as valuable for the same weight as 10K gold and therefore worth almost twice as much.

Be careful since acids are corrosive and can give you a nice burn. Wash and skin that has come into contact immediately. Carry some baking soda in a little plastic jewelry bag on case there is no water around. It will neutralize acid if used in sufficient quantity.

A three acid 10K, 14K and 18K kit with a small touch stone costs about $12 to $18 on eBay. Some models come in wooden boxes and may contain silver testing acid and 22K acid as well. These will cost usually $35 to $55.

Gold Tipped Needles for Testing Acid Accuracy

These are somewhat important unless you buy new acids on a frequent basis. Acids exposed to air tend to become inaccurate in time. The needles are tipped with different karat gold and let you know when you acids are not testing correctly. Otherwise buy a complete set of new acids once a month if you do not want to buy the needles.

An Accurate Scale

If you buy gold and not silver one scale will be fine. It should measure to an accuracy of 0.1 gram and generally have a maximum capacity of 100 to 200 grams. It should be portable and run on batteries. It should have a mode button which allows you to measure in grams, pennyweights, and troy ounces (optional).

These can be purchased on eBay for as little as $15 to $25 dollars plus shipping. A scale that is good for both gold and silver is a semi portable electric postal scale. They can weigh large silver plates and bowls. The accuracy is only to 1 gram but generally this is good enough even for gold. Do not buy a diamond scale as they are extremely expensive and have a small maximum weight.

Tools for Removing Stones From Gold & Silver Jewelry

A good wire cutter, a small steel hammer and needle nose pliers are generally the only tools you will need. Stones should be removed from jewelry to determine the actual weights.

A Fairly Strong Magnet

Gold and silver are non-magnetic. The exception is that on chains the snap contains a small steel spring. Do not worry about this as long as the rest of the chain is non magnetic. Items marked sterling are often magnetic. This may be due to a nickel platting to prevent tarnishing. However, most gold buyer will not buy these magnetic sterling items. Old speaker magnets make fine testing magnets and are often free. You can also purchase super magnets at a reasonable price on eBay.

Once you assemble this kit and read my three article on finding almost free fold and silver, you are ready to make finds that will amaze you and your friends. I wish you good treasure hunting!