The gold acid test proliferated in the second half of the 19th century during the time when California Gold Rush was the talk of the day. Gold prospectors, as well as gold dealers had to be able to differentiate gold apart from base metals then.

Theoretically, gold acid test is any form of a chemical qualitative test that makes use of a strong acid like nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and potassium dichromate in order to distinguish gold from base metals. It is because unlike other metals, gold doesn’t react to most acids (except to a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid called “aqua regia”).

Using the gold acid test in determining a gold piece’s purity or Karat can be done in any of the following ways: Acid testing kits, Touchstone testing and Electronic gold test.

Acid Testing Kit

An Acid testing kit contains a color reference chart and bottles of different acid formulas that react in various ways depending on the gold properties they come into contact with. By placing a drop on the item using the formula corresponding to the lowest karat first, then observing its chemical reaction, and comparing it against the color reference chart, the purity and the karat of the gold are determined.

Touchstone Testing

For touchstone testing, the gold sample and a known-gold item are rubbed against the stone leaving gold samples behind. Using drops of acids designed for different karats, the purity and the karat are identified.

Electronic Gold Test

Employing the use of an electronic box, gold is tested by putting a test solution or acid unto the test plate then submerging the gold item into the testing solution. The result is then analyzed by the gold reference test plate.

Given those gold acid test practices, deciding which method to perform is simply a matter of choice. Also, always exercise caution when dealing with acids as they are extremely corrosive and toxic.

The Silver Acid Test is done by using a silver acid test kit. These test kits are readily available in the market. Try your local jewelry shops or try searching for it online, we’re sure you’ll find a reputable source easily.

The composition of a silver acid test kit is mostly nitric acid. As such, you must prepare yourself for the possible result especially when it turns out that your item isn’t really silver, as this could badly damage your item.

How to test your silver piece using the Silver Acid Test

First and foremost, you have to make a scratch on an inconspicuous spot of your jewelry using a file or a needle (you may also want to purchase it together with the silver acid test kit). Then, using the dropper found in your silver acid test kit, place a drop of the acid on the scratch you created. Within a few seconds, you’ll be able to observe the changes on the area you tested. The color that appears will indicate the silver content of your item. More often than not, the silver acid test kit comes with a color chart which could aid in your interpretation. Be informed though, that the color that results from the test is not a definite guide, as different silver acid test solutions could have different chemical reactions which in turn could lead to different outcomes in terms of color.

Tips in relation to the Silver Acid Test

• Even without the drop of acid, you might be able to tell whether the ‘silver’ piece you are testing is made of pure silver. A slight scratch or nick can already reveal what lies underneath. If it’s not silver, then you have the right to doubt.
• If your item turns out to be solid silver, you can easily buff back the filing spot you have created to its original state.
• The chemical reaction from the silver acid test usually shows in just about 30 seconds.
• Make sure that your silver acid test kit is fresh; there would be no chemical reaction at all whether if your item is truly silver or not if you’re using a stale silver acid test kit.
• As with other chemicals, make sure to observe proper precautions as the silver acid test kit contains chemicals which are harmful to your body.

Kennedy silver half dollars are one of the most popular coins to collect ever since its inception. Bearing the late president John F. Kennedy’s left side image on its obverse side, this fifty cent coin was first released in 1964. Noticeably, this was less than a year after Kennedy was assassinated and is probably the reason why many people wanted to collect and keep the commemorative coin. Through the years, the Kennedy silver half dollars never circulated very well as most people chose to hoard these half dollar coins.

Originally, the Kennedy silver half dollars have a 90% silver composition and is 30.60 mm in diameter. Later on, due to increase in silver prices and decrease in the silver stock of the Treasury, this was reduced to 40% and later settled into copper just like the other coins. Kennedy silver half dollars used to weigh 12.50 grams when they were still composed of 90% silver. Meanwhile, the copper-nickel version of the half dollar weighs 11.34 grams. With a closer look on Kennedy’s image, one can see a very detailed rendering of his hairlines. On the reverse side of the coin, the Kennedy silver half dollar has the modified presidential seal on it. However, for the special bicentennial edition, the reverse side of the coin has a design of the Independence Hall.

A favorite among coin collectors, there were special Kennedy silver half dollars that were struck by the Mint just to cater to the people fond of the coin. Truly, the Kennedy silver half dollar proved itself as a collector item must have.

Having been around since 1902, the Engelhard Corporation enjoys a distinctly excellent reputation when it comes to precious metals products like silver, gold, platinum, etc. Charles Engelhard Sr. founded the company which was later continued on by his son, Charles Engelhard Jr. Its logo of a capital letter E on a globe is a well-known logo among silver collectors, buyers and sellers as well as investors. The same logo or the name Engelhard can be found as marks on the Engelhard silver bullion bars.

Every single Engelhard silver bullion bar is serial numbered, ensuring that every piece is unique on its own.

The weight of the bar can also be found on the bar itself marked in troy ounces. There are commercial and art bars among the various types of Engelhard silver bullion bars. Some of the 1-oz Engelhard silver bullion bars also have other obverse logos like the maple leaf and the Statue of Liberty aside from the usual E and globe logo. The Engelhard silver bullion can be found in 1, 10 and 100-oz sizes. Approximately, the poured Engelhard 100-oz bar is 6.86 in weight and 6-1/4″ X 3-1/8″ X 1″ in dimension.

The Engelhard silver bullion bars are extremely valuable as they are considered rare. In addition, silver and gold are inflation evaders. Some of us feel protected against inflation when owning these precious possessions. Though the Engelhard Corp. manufactured .999 silver (also called three nines silver) in the 1970s amidst great demand, the 1980s demand for silver bars decreased. Because of this, the last time Engelhard released the Engelhard silver bullion bars was in the late 1980s.

Of the different karat (purity) of gold, the purest form is known as the 24-karat or 24k. This means that the gold purity is 99.9%. The next level of purity is 22k, meaning only 2 parts are alloy which has been added to be able to shape the gold. But even with parts of certain alloy, this type of gold is still a bit soft. The alloys or metals that are used to combine with gold are much lower in value so as not to affect the price of the gold in the jewelry. The lowest purity of gold that can be made into jewelries is 8k, particularly used in children’s jewelries.

In the United Kingdom as well as in the United States, it is required by law to put a hallmark in all gold jewelries that is being sold in the market. A hallmark is simply the different karat (purity) of gold that’s in particular jewelry for the customer’s information. There are however types of jewelries which are too small to put or inscribe a hallmark.

For those who are not very familiar with Gorham Sterling Silver or who are curious about these valuable pieces, here’s some information to get you started. Gorham silver is a well-known American flatware producer. The company goes from way back in 1831 when it was founded by Jabez Gorham and continued to flourish under the founder’s son John Gorham. Among the famous pieces of Gorham Sterling Silver is the set Mary Todd Lincoln bought which was used as silverware and flatware in the White House during the mid-1800s. Another popular Gorham sterling silver is the Century Vase that contained more than 2,000 ounces of sterling silver made in 1875. Of course, discussion about Gorham sterling silver should include the Chantilly pattern, designed by famous Gorham designer William Codman in 1895.

Perhaps aside from the beautiful and elegant designs, what makes Gorham Sterling Silver products even more fascinating are the marks and date codes of the Gorham pieces. Collectors and enthusiasts alike look for the Gorham sterling silver and examine their dates. Gorham Sterling Silver pieces are marked based on the year they are manufactured. The earlier pieces contain marks of the name of the founder and his partner (Gorham and Webster), founder and son (Gorham and son), and another partner (Gorham and Thurber). Later on, symbols similar but do not bear the same meanings as English silver were used like anchor, lion and the letter G. Starting in the 1940s, geometric shapes (square for 1940s, pentagon for ‘50s and so on) were also used to determine the decade the silver were produced.

Sterling silver is particularly valuable as it contains 925/1000 silver. If you own a Gorham sterling silver, you surely are fortunate to have high quality and rare pieces in your possession.

The Chinese Panda gold coins are fascinating.  On the obverse side, the coin features the year of production and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. On its reverse is the famous panda bear.  Since the Chinese Panda gold coins’ design changes every year, the coins come in different weights.  However, what they have in common is that all coins have twenty-four-karat gold or pure gold.

When buying Chinese Panda gold coins online decide if you want the full-ounce coins or the 1/20-ounce coins. The former is more expensive. The other designs of the Chinese Panda gold coins are rarer than others. The reason behind this is that the People’s Republic of China is not minting the same number of Chinese Panda gold coins every year. For example in 1982, only 13,532 one-ounce coins were minted. As compared to 2010, where about 300,000 pieces of Chinese Panda gold coins were minted.

When it comes to beauty, the Chinese Panda gold coins are second to none. These coins are even set in certain kinds of jewelries. For instance, if you will purchase your Chinese Panda gold coins, you can set one coin piece in a necklace pendant or charm. Buying the coins set in jewelries are more luxurious than buying a piece with no setting.

As additional information, the 2010 Chinese Panda gold coins will mark the 28th different design since the series begun in 1982. Hopefully, you were able to get yourself one of these historical coins.

Are you an avid coin collector? Maybe you are familiar with the Peace silver dollar coins. The Peace silver dollar coins are limited edition coins. From 1921 to 1935 the Peace silver dollar coins were minted and circulated in the United States. It started as a high relief coin. High relief coin means that the edge of the coin was made thicker than its interior. By 1922, the Peace silver dollar coins’ design proved to be unreasonable and impractical for minting.

Characteristically, the Peace Dollar features the Lady Liberty as the obverse image. The year is found at the bottom part of the Peace silver dollar coins. If you will look closely, you will see the phrase “In God We Trvst.” The letter V replaced the letter U in trust. The reverse image features the perched eagle.  Again, if you will look closely, you will read the phrases “United States of America” and “E Pluribus Unum” above it. At the bottom is the phrase “One Dollar”. Then at the very bottom is the word “Peace.” The mint mark is found at the back. D stands for Denver. S stands for San Francisco. The Peace silver dollar coins on the other hand, which were minted in Philadelphia, have no evident mint mark.

Just a basic trivia, Anthony De Francisci, an Italian sculptor designed the Peace silver dollar coins. Teresa Cafarelli, his wife served as his muse or the model for the Peace silver dollar coins. The circulation of Peace silver dollar coins ended in 1935. If you are to start a collection of Peace silver dollar coin, you will need to research prices and find reliable dealers over the internet. Keep in mind that the price of Peace silver dollar coins will be based on its general condition, rarity and grade.

Coin collecting is considered a very luxurious hobby. Since time immemorial, only kings and queens are capable of having such expensive hobby. But time has changed. Now, even those belonging in middle class families can now afford to collect and to invest in coins. One of the most popular choices among coin collectors and investors is the Morgan Silver Dollar Coins.

Morgan Silver Dollar Coins circulate from 1878 to 1904 and then again in 1921. The Morgan Silver Dollar Coins derived its name from its designer, George T. Morgan.Collecting Morgan 
Silver Dollar Coins is now easy. There are so many coin dealers online where one can get cheap but quality coins. Moreover, investing in Morgan Silver Dollar Coins is more practical than having a share of stock. Likewise, Morgan Silver Dollar Coins are more ideal to give to a young child as a heritage. Can you imagine giving your school age grandchild or a recent high school graduate a single share of stock? They may be too young for that kind of investment. But with coins, age is not a factor. A young child can hold onto a coin for safe keeping. Just explain to him that the coin is precious. It can be used as future investment. In troubled economic times, where there is a notable rise in the spot price of gold and silver, one can easily sell his Morgan Silver Dollar Coins. 

Rare coins like the Morgan Silver Dollar Coins can sell for thousands of dollars. If you have decided to invest in Morgan Silver Dollar Coins, do yourself a favor and research for the coin’s approximate market value. You can acquire this piece of information from a reputable dealer, a coin book or a decent numismatic web site. For more valuable coins, search for a trustworthy coin dealer or broker online or in your local area.

Today, collecting coins is not just a hobby but a great way to invest for the future. The South African Krugerrand Coins are one of the most sought after and well invested gold coins in history. This is mainly because of its purity and probably because of the controversies behind it. It was minted in 1967 and each coin weighs about an ounce and ninety one percent of it is pure gold while the rest is of copper. The “head side” of the South African Krugerrand Coin or the obverse side is the image of Paul Kruger the first President of the South African Republic. The “tail side” or the reverse side is the image of the South African Antelope or the Springbok which is one of the national symbols of South Africa. The Krugerrand coins got its name from Kruger, who, as you already know, was South African Republic first president and Rand which is South Africa’s form of currency.

The South African Krugerrand Coins were first introduced in 1970 as a means to market the South African gold and the coins are for investment purposes. The most popular is the South African Krugerrand Coins that weighs 1 oz. It is affordable and very easy and convenient to carry. Because of its popularity the government minted other variations which are half-ounce and quarter of an ounce South African Krugerrand coins. They even minted what is known as the “proof” Krugerrands with the main purpose of making these coins as collector’s item.  However, the coins were band in 1985 because of some sensitive issues about the South African form of government at that time.

The South African Krugerrand Coins were considered as trend setters for other gold coins. Soon after it was minted, Canada with its Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, Australia with its Australian Nugget and the US with its Gold Eagle followed suit. The South African Krugerrand coins became the model, so to speak of the Gold Eagles.

This wonderfully designed coin is one of the most popular and widely collected coins in the history of the United States. This is can be partly attributed to its great design and accessibility to the public. The obverse side (head) is an image of the Walking Liberty designed in 1916 by Adolph Weinman that was used in the Silver Half dollar and was circulated until 1947.

The reverse side (tail) is a wonderful depiction of the US American Silver Eagle coins which is an original design by John Mercanti. Each coin contains one troy ounce of pure silver. Because of its popularity it is now being sold all over the United States carried by different online and conventional stores. If you are an avid collector of coins and other precious metals the US American Silver Eagle coins are carefully crafted. It is uncirculated and coins are originally taken from mint tubes with gloved hands and carefully placed inside protected coin sleeves or gift boxes for utmost enjoyment in receiving this coin. The latest minted American Eagle Silver coin was in 2006 to 2008 at West Point bearing the “W” mark which is also being printed this year, 2011. The first time this coin was actually minted was in October of 1986 in San Francisco, California.

The sad thing about the popularity of the US American Silver Eagle coins is that there are sellers and dealers who are over charging not only the price of the coin but the shipping as well. If you haven’t purchased the US American Silver Eagle coins and are planning to just make sure you buy it from a reputable silver and gold exchange or store. If you are ordering US American Silver Eagle coins online, then buy only from well known online market to avoid being over charged or overpriced.

The British Crown Coin is formerly known as the crown of the double rose. It was launched as part of the monetary reform during the time of King Henry VIII in 1526. At that moment in time, it has a value of five shillings. Moreover, the coins were first minted in twenty two karat crown gold. However, by the time Henry VIII’s daughter Mary I reined in England, no British crowns were minted. Not until the reign of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I did the coins went back into circulation.

As mentioned earlier, the British Crown Coin is a popular piece among coin collectors. But what is the reason for its popularity and why should people invest in this type of coin. To answer the questions, following are the top reasons why people must invest in the UK or British Crown Coins:

Be Part Of The History

Many collectors are seeking British Crowns because it offers not only monetary value but history as well. If you have these coins in your collection, you have stories to tell your kids and your kids’ children. You will be an instant historian and story teller as well.

The Demand For Gold And Silver Today Is High

Selecting a British Crown or as others call it, Henry VIII coin will provide high returns. As the demand in the global market rises, these coins will certainly continue to increase its value and worth. This is an important consideration for those who will eventually be selling gold.

Protection Against Inflation Impact

Just like any gold coins, UK or British Crown coins are used by investors to hedge against inflation. Stocks on the other hand are unpredicted especially in these trying times. It is more risky than investing in gold coins or bullion.

Transporting The Coins Are Easy And Light
The British Crown coins are good investment vehicles because it can be transported and stored easily. No need for a big space around the house or if you have a safe, they can be secured without difficulty.

Good Artwork
If you are the type who appreciates beauty then this coin is perfect for you to invest on. It’s beautiful and intricate artwork are enjoyable to look at and to be shared with others.

Marketable – High Degree Of Liquidity

The World Wide Web is an excellent venue for retailers and interested buyers to promote and to market their items. With the high demand for gold coins, it is easy to market these precious markets to prospective buyers and coin collectors.

The UK or British Crown Coins is a great investment vehicle because it is very high in demand and the coins are very marketable especially in this modern age. If interested in the Crowns find a reputable coin collector or broker to buy the items. Take hedge when buying online as there are many fraud coin marketers who prey on first time buyers. Be wise and surely you’ll end up with excellent returns.

Know Your Reasons For Investing Gold

Referring to where the economy is presently at, inflation has greatly affected the lives of many. There are people who are investing in gold in order to protect their wealth from inflation. While some are investing gold because the demand is currently high and expectantly the return of investments is excellent as well. As investors, you should think of how much money you are willing to invest and the time you are prepared to invest as well. If you are working part time, you need to work extra effort in order to meet your goals.

Understand The Two Ways Of Investing In Gold

If interested to invest in gold, you can do it either directly or indirectly. The direct method means you buy gold coins or gold bullion. In other words, you physically own a certain amount of this precious metal. An indirect purchase on the other hand, means certifications, accounts or gold-exchange traded funds. The latter are usually tied to the present gold price. On the other hand, beginners are advised to start investing in gold coins or gold bullion. As gold coins and bullion are easy to acquire and they offer minimum risk. After purchasing your gold coins and bars, you will receive you items in the mail. If you plan to buy in bulk, consider gold bars because they are cheaper in large quantities. However, they can be heavy and very inconvenient when transporting.

Buy Gold When The Need Arises

Not like stocks, timing is not an issue when investing in gold. Buy gold when you need it. Gold as an investment vary from one investor to another. It has nothing to do with the economy, but it is reliant with the overall wealth of the investors. Another tip is to buy gold when the prices are low.

Avoid Gold Futures

For sure many will entice you to invest in gold futures. However, if you are a beginner, you will find this very complicated. Gold futures for beginners can only backfire. Leave it to the seasoned investors.

Keep Track Of Gold Prices In The World Market

If you are serious in investing in gold, be familiar with the gold prices in the global market. Begin investing when there is news that the price plummets in the range of 10% to 12%. This time around, gold trade is at its peak. Never buy gold when market is at its highest.?? You can then get the most cash for gold when the market is on an upswing.

Find Reputable Gold Brokers In Your Area

Start right and invest in the right people or gold firms. Beginners ought to look for professional gold firm that can help them steer away from any untoward situations and thus save more time and money. Furthermore, a reputable gold broker or gold firm can be trusted to make wise choices in selecting the best gold product mix. So before trusting people read their portfolio.?? When selling, the Silver and Gold Exchange would be your best bet for cash for gold.

Many are enticed to invest in gold because of various reasons. Determine your individual reasons and set your goals and priorities. Do not be easily persuaded by attractive advertisements and promotions. Follow the tips mentioned above and you will never go wrong. Good luck.

Even if they say that the recession is long over, there are still a number of major corporations and small businesses that are folding. With that said, experts are suggesting that people invest in something that is profitable and with high appraisal value like gold. On the other hand, many are still clueless about the gold industry and why gold is a good investment in today’s failing economy. Let’s find out why. Following are the top reasons why gold are a good venture.

Gold Can Protect Your Wealth From Inflation

Inflation occurs when the prices of goods and products are on the rise and the purchasing capability of the consumers are down. If your stocks and wealth are in the currency, all your assets and possessions can go down with the currency. However, it is a different story if we are talking about gold. With the history of gold, it is stable enough to be a good hedge against inflation.

Gold is Marketable.
 You can sell gold.

According to experts, gold is more profitable than stocks. Gold is easy to buy and sell. Thanks to the advancement of the internet, gold can now be advertised and promoted online. Furthermore, social media is very popular today. It serves as a profitable means for retailers and buyers to bargain and haggle. In the present economic state, gold is easy to liquidate as well. People can simply sell different forms of gold. Gold coins and bars are very popular among gold collectors and investors because of their standardized weight and purity. Aside from using the internet, gold can also be marketed in your local pawnshops, antique stores and certain gold parties.

 The best place to sell gold is, of course, the Silver and Gold Exchange.

Demand For Gold Is High

Another reason why gold is very popular among investors is that the demand for this precious metal is relatively high. Most probably, the increasing demand for gold is not met because of the limited supply of this precious metal that is why the global price of gold is high.

Returns Are Excellent

Since the demand for gold is high, the earnings from this investment vehicle is excellent. Over the last few years, the price of gold has increased dramatically and investors have seen superb returns for gold and silver investments.

Gold As Jewelry Business

Even in times of recession, fashion jewelries never went out of style. People are still demanding for new designs and choices. Aside from that, the gold jewelry business served as a profitable industry for stay at home moms and dads. They can effortlessly market and sell their items in the comfort of their own homes. All they need is a reliable internet connection to upload photos of their new items.

Limited Supply Of Gold

Unlike other products and commodities where manufacturers can easily procure their raw materials, gold has a limited supply only. Similarly, gold and silver bullion are limited. Expect the price to go up when the amount of gold recovered are small.

Historical Value Of Coins

Gold coins have different stories to tell. If you are interested in this business, you will certainly meet people who can tell fascinating stories about these coins. If you want to be part of the history, invest in these precious metals and for sure you have a new story to tell your children and grand kids.

When investing, be wise and choose something that is worthy of your money and time. Research and ask around. Gold has been on earth millions of years and it is a valuable commodity. Don’t waste your money on stocks and start investing in gold today!

Some choose to sell scrap gold locally, such as to pawn shops or at gold parties hosted at a hotel.  Seldom will you get anywhere near what your items are worth when you choose to sell scrap gold in this manner.  You are far better off to sell scrap gold to a mail-in or online dealer, provided you take the time to find a reputable one and compare prices to make sure you get the best price every time you sell scrap gold.

Some people feel that it will take too long to sell scrap gold to a mail-in service.  While it is true that some dealers do not get in much of a hurry to send you your money, most will have your payment to you in less than ten days.  And since some of them will make payment to your Paypal account when you sell scrap gold to them, you can get your money even faster.  Browse the sites and see what each dealer is willing to guarantee in terms of both price and speed of payment before you decide who to sell scrap gold to.  If it is an open-ended time frame, you might want to find another dealer.

Most online and mail-in services pay for all shipping when you sell scrap gold to them.  Some of them can email you the shipping label so that you can send your items sooner.  Others may need to physically mail you a wrapper and label, and this will delay your efforts to sell scrap gold.  If you need to sell scrap gold quickly, look for one that can provide you with a printable shipping label you can use on your own box.

When looking to sell scrap gold online, be sure and check the site carefully for a list of just what the dealer buys.  As a rule, most dealers are not interested in gold plated or gold filled items, so it is a waste of your time to try to sell scrap gold that is filled or plated.  Also, some dealers do not buy gemstones at all, while others only buy diamonds in excess of one carat.  Most prefer that you remove the stones before you send in a package to sell scrap gold.  How they handle the stones varies, depending on who you choose to sell scrap gold to.  Some will trash them, while a few others will return them to you.  Since many will not notify you in advance of what the disposition will be once they have received them, it is important that you determine this before you sell scrap gold to them.

Anyone who wishes needs to know where and how to sell scrap gold should just the Silver and Gold Exchange.  They are Better Business Bureau Accredited, and have never had a single complaint filed against them.  They offer live pricing, with amounts updated continuously throughout market hours, and can even provide you with a scale to weigh your items before you send them.  Shipping is paid, with a label emailed to you so you can send your items faster.  They also have an extensive educational sectional that will tell you everything you need to know about how to sell scrap gold.  Furthermore, they will notify you of how much they can pay for your items as soon as they are assessed, and if you do not want to accept they will pay shipping to send the items back to you.

However you arrive, we hope you read our Silver and Gold Exchange Reviews where you’ll see we have neer had a single complaint. We hope you’ll also read our Silver and Gold Exchange CONSUMER ALERTS. You’ll learn how to avoid a scam.

So fortunately, all the following links lead to the same website… the Silver and Gold Exchange!

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