On Thu, 13 May 2004 18:03:26 +0200, "Steve Lusardi"
wrote:

There is a simple way to determine the percentage of gold on a comparison
basis. Typically 10K is 25%,14K is 50%, 18K 75%, 22K 90% gold and the rest
is alloying materials mostly of which is copper. The blend of these
alloying elements vary nation to nation. Depending on a person's skin's
acid content, corrosion can take place. The test you can do is simple. You
will need an Arkansas stone, test samples and a small bottle of sulfuric
acid. Ideally, you should have a test sample of each known carat weight. Rub
each sample, creating a line on the stone, then take your unknown sample and
rub a line with that. With a glass rod, collect a drop of acid and deposit
the acid on the test lines on the stone. You will then see the lines fade as
the acid eats the alloying elements. The 22K sample will hardly change, the
10K sample will virtually dissapear. By comparing your unknown sample, you
can readily determine the gold content. Please note that the rubbing of the
samples on the Arkansas stone will not damage the samples.
Steve

This is the most common test in pawn shops btw.

Gunner

"A vote for Kerry is a de facto vote for bin Laden."
Strider