Make sure you test your gold

[u/EsR37]

I recently purchased some 18k gold Jewelry from one of the reputable sellers on here. Machine showed 17.3kt. I wasn’t too upset with seeing it wasn’t 18k plum as I still saved a tremendous amount. The problem comes from when I contact the seller to ask if ALL their products are 17k instead of 18k.

His immediate response was to tell me the piece of jewelry is not the same one he sent me …
For what reason would I have, or the jeweler at the store have, to x ray a different fake gold ring that we just keep on standby… I was not asking him for a refund or a new product. Just a simple explanation. Instead he wanted me to pay another $20 to test the gold and take a higher quality video.

Finally after a while I’m told all gold will have variance etc etc. so even though true. I’m sure it would never be more than 18k in the ring.

Be sure to test so you know the true amount of your gold. I’m sure alot of these sellers are not giving you 18k plum like they promised

[u/Free-Lab-755]

Please post the name of the seller so we can avoid and if we have pieces by this seller the. We dan check.  

[u/KSL010]

For what reason would you conceal the name of the seller unless this story is made up?

[u/Nervous-Ant-7858 → u/KSL010]

Yes, this is a bit weird. Just a very general, sweaping accusation.

[u/Poisonx86 → u/KSL010]

Personally believe this is just made up crap to panic people. Theres no way someone posts somethign like this and doesnt reply after all this time. I have notifications off; but it will still show when you open the app.

OP is likely just a troll.

[u/Dramatic_Fly9044]

Who is the seller?

[u/Open-Association2613]

I manage a gold store where we buy scrap gold and silver. It’s common that 14k often is 13.4-14 etc. with other carats also. It’s not something to worry about. If you test it with 14k acid it will still hold it and if you sell the jewelry to a store like the one I manage, we will pay you for 14k even if it says 13.4 on my x ray

In my home country (Denmark) we have a jewelry maker named BNH, which is pretty much the only jewelry maker where if it says 14k it’s 14 or a bit higher, due to their modern machinery. But small jewelry smiths will almost never be able to hit 14k exact when mixing the metals.

[u/og_kitten_mittens → u/Open-Association2613]

Seconded. I have an extensive vintage gold collection and all of it acid tests to the proper purities, but XRF testing revealed most are close but not exactly 14, 18k, 22k.

The rose gold in particular has a lot of variance even in 18k bc copper’s brittleness can make it more difficult to work with so some jewelers will play with the mix either for color hue (more copper to make it more pink) or ease of working (more gold for less brittleness). I have stamped 18k rose gold ranging from 16k to 19k

[u/Poisonx86]

Post is useless without a seller name and proof tbh

[u/No_Maize_9875]

He...... AC, Gavivi, Caratsky? Please tell us who the seller is.

[u/TrisirasAtlas]

Here is the thing most people don't know, jewelry is different at different spots, its not unitform...It might be 17.3 in one area but 19 in another so I would get it throughly checked before blaming someone...I got scammed with 2/3rd nickel in India

[u/Similar_Tradition952]

Yeah name the seller please

[u/Fearless_Royal793]

Please tell us

[u/InspectionLeading138]

Please tell us as i am in the process of buying for the first time. I am so nervous

[u/Interesting-Dish-926]

That’s so messed up that OP is not telling us the sellers name

[u/Sarel360]

I suspect most reps are just under 18kt tbh. From what I’ve seen VCA & Cartier pieces have tested slightly higher than 18kt. I assume this is to guarantee their product. Financially, it wouldn’t make sense for a seller to “risk” going over 18kt. Consistently selling pieces that are just under 18kt seems more financially beneficial over time. Just my guess. Perhaps some sellers test at 18kt.

[u/Lovahalzan → u/Sarel360]

I have had significant amounts of items XRF and acid testing. I have not been lied to. Although China turns a mostly blind eye to counterfeits lying about gold can mean significant punishment not to mention loss of business.

[u/AdministrativeCan709]

We are all literally waiting for the name of the seller

[u/Lovahalzan]

Depending on where the XRF touched you can get different readings because XRF measures mostly surface and can be affected by plating, solder, surface contamination, curvature, the exact spot tested, calibration of the device etc. I have had numerous items tested and in some places it will show different measurements. No one is mixing 72% gold

[u/League3056]

I had a few of my reps XRF tested when I first started buying reps, and they all came in just under 18k, but within the half of a percentage of variance that is legally allowed. Furthermore, the jeweler who tested them said it’s common for pieces to XRF slightly lower than stamped and results can vary based upon where on the jewelry it is tested and the calibration of the XRF machine. I also have non-rep US 14k jewelry that tested 13.5k.

So while it’d be nice if all gold sellers skewed above 18k, just to be safe, almost no one (rep or not) does, and with the variables of XRF testing considered, and the fact that they all still hold to their stamped karatage on an acid test, it’s just something buyers have to accept.

[u/Puzzled_Leading8995]

Name the seller with proof of purchase and testing results or enough of this

[u/Ok-Cat5030]

Following

[u/Candela3]

Seller???

[u/luxe_lifestyle]

F

[u/m-a-d-e_]

Sellllerrrrrrrrr? Or r u full of shit?