8
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 marked as Gold. Palladium, however, is one-quarter to one-third the
price of pure Gold, so it should be noted that pure Palladium might 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.
Table of Standards
Karat
Decimal
Gold
%
Gold
Parts per
1000th
18k
.750
75.0
750
14k
.583
58.3
583
12k
.500
50.0
500
10k
.417
41.7
417
8k
.333
33.3
333
