Two antique 9ct piece failed acid test-shall I be worried?

Hi all,

so I bought two of my antique 9ct gold chains-one newly arrived-to two different pawnbrokers, they acid tested them and told be they're not solid gold. ( I think they directly applied the acid on the chain as I can see blackening on links).

Both of them were bought from ebay sellers specialized in second hand jewelry for years and have thousands of good reviews. I've reached one and she said she was shocked as she has it tested three times-once XRF-and it's all solid gold.

So, who shall I trust? The two pawnbrokers that acid tested them, and the sellers claimed them to be real gold? Anyway, I will visit another jeweler with XRF tomorrow and see what they think, just want to see if anyone had same experience?

 

Best wait and see what they say.
If the chains aren't solid gold, be sure to take photos of the results as evidence.

 

time to get yourself a gold testing kit.......
good ones are not expensive......and the prevailing wisdom here is that they work.... and then...you can trust yourself !!

 

just found it strange that both went wrong at same time I've treasured one for a while, it's a beautiful long guard chain

 

Isn't 10ct the lowest you can go on acid tests? Because 9ct isn't considered "gold." So perhaps at 9 the acid reflects "not gold."

XRF is the way to go, if you can. It can pretty accurately see if something is suspected as plate too.

 

9ct was pretty common in uk, and they did use the acid for 9ct I think, but the tested area indeed turns brown. So I wonder if that's common for antique 9ct gold, as the purity may not be exactly 37.5%?

 

I know 9 is common and was used. I have some. I also have an acid kit that stops at 10k. What I don't know is the pawnbroker's method so given there are 3 people testing, and one used XRF, I'd look for where methods might "fail." Lies are also possible of course. Hopefully your jeweler with an XRF will settle it!

 

they directly applied the acid to the scratched I think, and it turns brown. But yes XRF should be more accurate

 

if they put the acid on the chain..... then a return may be questioned , as the item has been altered... imo..

 

well if it's indeed gold I'll live with that damage, but if it's not gold that damage doesn't really matter since it's value is much more lower than real gold regardless of that little darkening on one link, I think?

 

Yes it does turn black or brown, I checked an acid test kit and that's what they said, so still hope of being real gold there?

 

No, a seller is allowed to refuse a return if the item has been altered.

 

Btw anyone recommending KEE tester? They're above 300 quids but seems reliable, all you need is a deep scratch, just like acid

 

er really? But selling a fake gold is like a scam... and the damage is the necessary price to be paid?

 

You don't need to scratch with acid, you just need a testing stone.
Don't use anything that will damage your jewellery. It is a great pity if something has lived that long without people cutting chunks out of it and it will lower the value. Collectors don't buy damaged jewellery.

 

yeah but that won't work if it's rolled gold or thickly plated right?

 

I have 8, 9 and 10 ct acids in my kit, got them on eboo.