How do you test and weigh?

[kidcalvin76]

Have been an avid thrifter and garage sale fiend for many years now but am just now realizing the potential of my favorite hobby thanks to this forum. I want to start looking for gold and silver but am wondering how to decide whether something is worth the money or not. I have heard folks reference acid tests and weighing. Do you do that in the store? If so how? Would love any advice you could give. Thanks in advance.

 

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[theekman]

Could bring a pocket scale and acid. Acid may get you in trouble if you someone sees you test something without asking. If i was having a garage sale i wouldn't want you to damage my product before u buy it. After a while you can begin to know give or take a few grams how much a necklace, bracelet, or what have you weighs. And wether or not you are taking a good risk or not.

 

[Omega]

Lol, usually I can snag 10-15g of 14-18k gold for $5-$10 bucks at a garage sale. When someone sees my add, or has one of my cards, I pay more (14-16 a gram of 14k). If I am paying by the gram, I weigh it on a little scale, and will file and acid test it. Haven't been ripped yet

 

[Joe777Cool]

Lol, usually I can snag 10-15g of 14-18k gold for $5-$10 bucks at a garage sale. When someone sees my add, or has one of my cards, I pay more (14-16 a gram of 14k). If I am paying by the gram, I weigh it on a little scale, and will file and acid test it. Haven't been ripped yet

$14-16 per gram? wow....pawn shops and we buy gold places around my area pay well more than that

 

[cyberdan]

I have a little tackle box I keep in my car when I go yard sailing. Inside is a Tri Electronics GT 3000 gold tester, a gram scale, fine files, strong magnifying glass and lots of jewelry that looks real good but is costume. (those that test costume eventually get thrown in a box and go to ebay)

The GT3000 is very accurate to a half karat and I have learned how to test for silver by the inventor of the GT.

I have tried acid. it is slow and messy and it is ACID! most yard sale sellers would not like you pulling out jars of acid. But they do like the electronic tester, especially the guys.

 

[tamaco]

There are many factors i think that come into play. For me (a hobbyist trying to make a couple extra bucks), I have gotten some experience with the metal purity hallmarks, the feel of gold, and a general feel of weights (for example, small stud earrings probably weigh <1g whereas a gold chain may weigh anywhere from 3g+ (except the really thin chains)). Also, do a quick inspect of the item for any gold plating wearing or peeling away (there is lots of fake hallmarked gold).

Since it's garage sales, the prices are usually really low anyways $1 - $3, so the risk is low. I have had way more success at garage sales than thrift stores in finding gold for reasonable prices. I usually ask myself too, if the item ended up being fake, would i be upset that i lost $xx instead of getting $xx? I've probably missed out on some good stuff, but it happens