What can an independent gold assay tell a wedding jewellery buyer?
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Direct answer
An assay can assess gold content, but what it establishes depends on the method, sampling and condition of the item tested.
Ask the laboratory to explain limitations, whether plating or mixed construction affects the result and whether testing removes material. Obtain a report identifying the piece and method rather than accepting a verbal reading alone. Some techniques chiefly assess the surface and may not represent an entire complex item. Testing is a professional task, not a reason to experiment with acids on jewellery at home.
Sources used
Methods for Determining Gold Content of Jewelry Metals
Gemological Institute of America
Primary comparison of testing methods and limitations. Historical technical study, not certification of a buyer's individual piece.Source checked:
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