RT>The problem lies in the fact that only with scientific tests can 14/20
RT>be differentiated from 14k.  Even knowledgeable customers can't tell the
RT>difference by holding, feeling, or smelling it unless they apply an acid
RT>test or submit it for specific gravity weighing.
Or expierence.  Often the base metal is very low density, Both gold and
silver are very HEAVY metals,  Thus if you've ever held a solid gold
chain, the gold filled may (Depending on the base metal) be far lighter,
Gold is also a soft metal, or so I'm told.
RT>It would be humanly impossible to tell the difference in "solid" 14k
RT>gold, gold filled, and gold plate merely by weighing it.  You'd need
RT>specific gravity testing.
While this is true (and how Archemedies kept his head) you can still
take an educated guess, As did his king.
Also it depends on the thickness of the "Shell"  (What your specific
gravity testing would show.
By the way, Do you know how to test specefic gravity of a chain.....
Fill a measuring beaker part full with water, Record the water level
Drop in the "Gold" to be tested.  Record the level,  Subtract level 1
from level 2, This is the volume of the gold.  Weigh, divide, viola.
(Or in the case mentioned above  "Eureka, I've found it, The way to keep
head and shoulders together"  (He was very strongly motovated)
RT>Hmmm... either I lost you or you lost me here .  The only sign on his
RT>display says, "14K GOLD".  If pressed, I'm sure he could produce at
I thought you had said that he was telling people it was "Gold Filled"
I did not realise the signs did not have the word "Filled" on them.
Sorry.
But when I pick up a gold chain, And it feels more like "White Metal" or
Aluminum than (Read that it is lighter than the same chain made out of
steel) I don't think that is solid gold.  I do have an assortment of
known stainless steel chains to check against (I sometiems make things
that hang on them so I have to have some in stock)
Oh well... The only jewelry I wear is:
1: Watch (Functional jewlery)
2: Braclet containing medic alert tag (Silver plate, what's left of the
   plating, also functional jewery)
3: Necklace, Stainless, with a second Medical Alert tag in case the one
   on my wrist gets lost.
I've no need for Gold just now.
But I think anyone who advertises 14K gold should be delivering 14K gold
 * SLMR 2.1a * I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!
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