Using a jeweler to prove an item is real gold?

[FreeLitres]

I'm trying to sell a 9 ct gold item at the moment but I don't have a sales receipt to prove value/authenticity. The item is hallmarked etc.

Would a jeweler be able to perform a test to prove the chain is real gold in front of the prospective buyer? If so, how much would the jeweler charge? Would they issue some kind of certificate?

Anyone done anything similar?

[Astacus]

is it not hall marked?

[FreeLitres]

Yes it is hallmarked but the buyer wants reassurance that its genuine.

[Zad]

They should be able to test it quickly and easily. Basically (there are variations) they apply a tiny dab of liquid; if it reacts then it isn't gold, otherwise its at least 9ct. Then they use a stronger acid to distinguish 18ct, than another for 24ct. You can get these kits off Ebay nowadays for a few quid.

All they can reasonably do is test the surface in one area. This won't guarantee the entire item, or the possibility that its thickly plated. They should be willing to state that they have tested it in the usual way, and what carat purity it is.

[Buster73]

FreeLitres said:

Yes it is hallmarked but the buyer wants reassurance that its genuine.

Sell it to someone with half a brain instead .

The hallmark is the proof.

[anonymous-user]

Damn, is Google broken again?

[FreeLitres]

Jimboka said:

Damn, is Google broken again?

Google just gives me links for gold testing kits or full valuations from some jewelers.

I still don't know if they can just do a test to prove its real and how much that might cost.

[Smitters]

Science is your friend.

http://www.propertiesofmatter.si.edu/archimedes.ht...

That, and very accurate measurement.

Just sell it to someone who trusts you, and the hallmark.

[P-Jay]

Buster73 said:

FreeLitres said:

Yes it is hallmarked but the buyer wants reassurance that its genuine.

Sell it to someone with half a brain instead .

The hallmark is the proof.

Got to be one of the easiest things to fake though hasn't it - I really don't believe there's a guy in China thinking "I've sold a quarter of a million fake mobile phones all bearing the word 'Nokia' but I'm not messing with Hallmarks though, oh no - that's only going to get me into trouble"

[Oakey]

P-Jay said:

Got to be one of the easiest things to fake though hasn't it - I really don't believe there's a guy in China thinking "I've sold a quarter of a million fake mobile phones all bearing the word 'Nokia' but I'm not messing with Hallmarks though, oh no - that's only going to get me into trouble"

The difference there being the fake Nokias are probably just made on the same production line as the real ones, just after the official Nokia shift knocks off for the day