On Thu, 25 Dec 2003 22:40:41 +1100, A.Gent wrote:


"Ian Stirling" wrote in message
...
A.Gent wrote:


"Roy's Junk" wrote in message
...
I go to a lot of auctions where a lot of junk is sold. I frequently
get jewelry and other items that contain gold and silver. Some will
be marked as to content but sometimes things appear to be gold or
snip
Another method to consider is the calculation of specific gravity.

This is by means definitive - it won't, for example, help much with
pieces
designed to deceive, such as lead-filled, or if there are stones
attached -
but it is a really good starting point.

Lead is a bit lighter than gold IIRC.
There are a few things heavier, most very expensive.
Tungsten and uranium are about the only things cheapish and
similarly dense, mercury too.

I've included a table of most interesting/relevant alloys at
http://mendosus.com/sg.html
Lead is a *lot* lighter than gold. Equals roughly 10K gold.
A pound of lead is heavier than a pound of gold. Just think about it.
--
Neil
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