posted on July 15, 2001 07:55:02 PM
I've got some antique (from the late 1890's) stickpins. They're gold in color but I don't know if they're "real" gold, gold-filled or something else. I'd like to know exactly before I list them. Is there an easy and reliable "do it yourself test" for gold or will I have to pony up some bucks to a jeweler to do a test? Thanks for any help...
posted on July 15, 2001 09:17:57 PM
On the old pieces there may or may not be a stamp or they might not be accurate. There is no easy at home test, you would have to take it to a jeweler to get an acit test. I wish I could tell you there was but there is none, also do not count on the electronic testers as they get fooled to many times and give a wrong reading.
posted on July 16, 2001 04:03:31 AM
blueyes29 -- Gordons32 is correct. All you need is acids and a touchstone. If you periodically get jewelry it is a good (cheap) investment. I pay approx. 2.00-3.00 per bottle for my acids.
Be wary of very heavy plated items. This is very typical of Victorian jewelry. The "rubbing" seldom gets down past the layer of gold. With a stickpin you will want to "hone" the tip of the pin on the touchstone to be sure you get past the plate (if ideed it is plated)
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[ edited by geminspector on Jul 16, 2001 04:05 AM ]
