Testing gold at the pawn counter: acid, electronic testers and XRF compared
Short answer: a hallmark is a claim, not proof. Pawnbrokers usually confirm it with an acid test, an electronic tester or an XRF analyser. Each one answers a slightly different question, and plated items can fool the faster methods.
Acid test
The item is rubbed on a test stone and the streak is treated with acids for different karats. Gold of at least that karat resists the acid; lower alloys dissolve. It is cheap and widely used. Its limits: it needs practice, it leaves a small mark if done on the item itself, and it tests only the surface that was rubbed.
Electronic gold tester
A probe measures an electrical property of the metal and the device estimates the karat. It is quick and does not damage the item. Its limits: readings can be affected by plating, by dirt or by the contact with the item, and results are an estimate to be confirmed when the value is high.
XRF analyser
X-ray fluorescence measures the elements in the metal without touching or damaging it and reports the composition. It is the most informative of the three and the most expensive to buy. Its limit: it reads the surface, so a thick plating over a different core can still mislead it; heavy or suspicious items may need a cut or a second method.
Which to use
| Method | Damage | Speed | Main weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acid | Small mark | Minutes | Surface only, needs practice |
| Electronic | None | Seconds | Plating and contact affect it |
| XRF | None | Seconds | Surface only, high cost |
Weigh only the gold
Whatever the method, the value comes from the gold weight. Stones, steel springs and other metals are not part of it.
How PawnMeter helps
After testing, the clerk enters the gold weight and the confirmed karat. PawnMeter calculates the metal value from the official reference price of the day and applies the shop's own percentage.
PawnMeter: Type the item. PawnMeter shows the resale price and a suggested loan, calculated only from what comparable items really sold for. When there is not enough data, it says so instead of guessing.
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