I wonder if anyone can recommend me some basic measurement tools so that I can be prepared when joining the crowd. Currently, I do have a digital scale, which I use frequently for personal shipping with USPS. This is the scale I use: http://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-POSTAL-SHIPPING-KITCHEN-ADAPTOR/dp/B001T8W8HU/. And I wonder if this scale is good enough for measuring PM. But I don't have any precise ruler with me other than the most basic one (precise to millimeter). Any recommendation on that? I also see some people would use acid kit. But I guess I won't go that far, because I'll be interested in the bullion coins not scraps, and I fear using acid might damage or taint the PM, although I am not entirely sure. Thanks!
I don't know what you are planning to buy, but a scale that measures down to .1 gram resolution should be enough. PMs also aren't magnetic, so a strong magnet to see if they stick wouldn't be a bad choice. Lastly, if you are getting bullion grade silver (junk silver) tapping the coin lightly should produce a nice ring that lasts for a few seconds. This is all I do to check and believe I've been fairly successful in determining fakes. I bought Franklin halves today, and the dealer had this fat half dollar in there that looked real, but made a thud sound when I tapped it. He said it was a magician's coin. I was like, "OK, but I want silver. I'm not doing coin tricks."
Nitric Acid is used to test Gold..if it is any other metal it will simply dissolve. Gold is impervious to Acids...as a good test get an old electronic Green board. You can find these in most any electronic device..gold is used quite often as connectors for excellent conductivity and corrosion resistant. You can buy Nitric Acid at Home depot. Follow the usage direction completely. Wear eye protection and breathing aparatus. RickieB
Thinkin' of pannin' for gold? Forget all that stuff and just buy bullion coins from reputable folks.....
Nitric acid?? hmmmh how does it work? do i drop it and then it will show if its gold? Can you explain?? I am getting nitric acid tmro
Get youself a glass bowl and pour a little into it, about the size of a half dollar. Get some tweezers and submerge your test piece in the acid being careful to place it in the acid and not drop it and splash yourself. I would ask the clerk at the store for a MSDS on the product in case you have an accident and need specific information...always protect yourself . Wear an apron or Lab Coat if you have one.... Gold will not dissolve, other metals will. Do not discard the used acid down a drain..pour it into a glass bottle and take it to a disposal site that has a pH neutralization system. Do not leave your tweezers in the acid. ** ACID is dangerous and can cause severe burns** use at your own risk! http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/N3660.htm It would be good if you understood Molarity (Moles) as in concentration. If you have no experience with this type of product, do not use it. RickieB
yup exactly what all the other forums have claimed so you say I can get nitric acid from homedepot? How about OSH or a general hardware store? would I need a license to purchase it??
License not needed to purchase..but you need a good head on your shoulders to use it correctly. Not trying to be condescending, just suggesting that you know what you are doing. Hate to see you loose an eye, or injest this stuff..it is quite dangerous. Among other uses's it is crucial in making of fertilizers and explosives...dont get any funny ideas..you really need to know what your doing. RickieB
Have you seen the Fisch testers? Simple and effective, though kind of expensive for a piece of plastic. They have a slot through which the authentic coin will just fit, providing you a go/no go on the size, and are counterweighted so that you can put the coin at one end and see if it's heavy enough.
I am well aware. I worked in construction for my dad back while I was in HS. Dealt with muriatic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid etc. you name msot acids and we dealt with it. And yes I know of its uses which is why I am just double checking that I dont need a license to purchase... Also if i wanted to consfirm somehting is gold, couldnt I just cut the link in half and check visually? I mean I know what gold looks like, its largely plated on most objects and I have been using this method with no problems so far. Other than that I have the gold testing mahcine where you place the gold and it tells you what Karat it is... But i do need something very simple and quick I can use without lugging that expensive machinery around. In all purposes I use at my store, so I would have to purchase a second unti, which makes this nitric acid testing seem like a golden nugget :kewl:
