Cleaning the Test Well
The most important step to consistently have accurate results using your gold tester,
is the cleaning of the,
”Well & Clip”
. The eraser stick has been removed from the
unit. In its’ place is a standard
“Q-Tip”,
which is to be used for the cleaning of the
well. Do your test as normal, when the test is complete or changing chemical
solution use one end of the Q-Tip to absorb the chemical, then use the other end to
remove any remaining residue. Dispose of the Q-Tip when complete. Never leave
any chemical solution in the well when not testing. If any chemical happens to
come in contact with the clip, clean immediately with a clean paper towel.
Warranty
Dymond, Inc. provides that each ET18 gold tester system to be free from defects in
material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This
warranty becomes void by:
(1)
Unauthorized repair, misuse, modification, alteration, tampering, or
breaking any factory seal.
(2)
Accidental damage, neglect, or improper use.
Batteries and chemicals are not included in the warranty.
Dymond, Inc. shall not be held legally liable or responsible for any error in
determining the gold content of any object using the ET18 gold tester.
Electrolyte Kit
Replacement of the ET18 Electrolyte and Activator kit can be obtained from your
dealer or distributor. Operating temperature is 65ºF to 90ºF.
For technical assistance, please call:
Dymond, Inc.
3307 Industrial 25
th
Street
Fort Pierce, FL 34946.
Phone (772) 429-0045
Fax (772) 429-0170
Testing for Gold Plate
Introduction:
Probably most of the gold plated items referred to as “costume jewelry” or “fashion
jewelry” contain gold at the surface which is no thicker than eight millionths of an
inch. Such a gold plate is referred to as gold flash. A large percentage of gold flash
is sufficiently thin and or porous (microscopically) that the ET18 gold tester will read
through the plate and indicate “NOT GOLD”. A thicker plate will read as karat gold
unless a portion of the surface being tested is erased with the eraser pencil or filed to
expose the metal underneath. The eraser should be used as first choice since it is
easier to use and non-destructive. However, the eraser will not work on thick gold
plate.
General description of procedure
To determine that an item is gold plated, the user of the ET18 gold tester must take at
least two different readings, one reading of a surface which has not been erased or
filed. The reading of the erased or filed surface will be lower if the metal underneath
is not gold. To be sure the metal underneath is not palladium, see the section on
testing for palladium. The sufficient area of non-gold is exposed to the liquid but the
unerased or unfilled gold plate exposed to the liquid does have some effect on the
reading; that is why point 2 of the following section under precautions is important.
When testing for heavy gold plate, it may be necessary to use a fast drying lacquer or
material such as a clear fingernail polish. The area to be tested must be coated with
the lacquer and allowed to dry. Next make a file mark in the center of the coating
deep enough to expose the base metal. Then test the exposed base metal with the
ET18 gold tester. Do not allow the liquid to touch any part of the gold that has not
been coated.
Testing for palladium
Both palladium and platinum will indicate karat gold if tested. Platinum jewelry is
usually traded at a higher price than gold jewelry, so platinum is seldom marketed as
gold. Palladium, however, is one-quarter to one-third the price of pure gold, so it
should be noted that pure palladium may read as medium karat gold. Palladium
prong settings are sometimes soldered into diamond solitaire white gold rings. If
palladium is suspected, it is easily distinguished from gold as nitric acid will quickly
turn palladium dark. Gold is not affected in this way.
Low Battery
If the NOT GOLD light does not come on or goes off during testing, the battery must
be replaced. Replace the battery by removing the rubber feet on the rear of the case.
Then remove the four screws under the feet. Open the case and replace the 9V
battery. Be careful not to pinch any wire when replacing the rear cover.