JFD>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.
JFD>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,
What kind of chain are you holding John, a LOG chain.  If you can _feel_
the difference in 14k and 14kgf in typical jewelry quantities, I bow to
your expertise. I have held a few solid gold objects in the 30 odd years
that I've been making jewelry and I surely can't tell the difference
unless I pull out my acid bottles or possibly when I begin to solder it.
I've known lots of jewelers and metal smiths in those years... several of
them were college level instructors... and none of them could either,
with any degree of accuracy.
JFD>Gold is also a soft metal, or so I'm told.
In its pure form (24k), it is too "soft" to be of any practical use in
jewelry making. Thats why it is alloyed with other "harder" metals
before use.  However, don't confuse softness and malleability...
"hardness" is a product of annealing and any metal can be hardened or
softened to a considerable degree.
JFD>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.
JFD>While this is true (and how Archemedies kept his head) you can still
   >take an educated guess, As did his king.
Stop by my booth sometimes... I've got some real bargains for you.
JFD>By the way, Do you know how to test specefic gravity of a chain.....
Most jewelers assay gold with acid.  There are also electronic devices
available that test the density of the metal... I'm not sure of the
electronic principle applied.  I use the acid method since I haven't
seen fit to invest $500 for the little electronic gadget. I've had my
test needles, rubbing stone, and acid bottles for several years. I have
seen specific gravity testing in the class room.
JFD>Fill a measuring beaker part full with water, Record the water level
JFD>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)
Take one of your steel chains, one of your gold chains, a glass of
water, bathroom scales, and a calculator.  Perform the above test and
get back with us. BTW.... be careful...just one drop of water left out
of the calculation can have some pretty significant affects on which
chain you throw away.
JFD>I thought you had said that he was telling people it was "Gold Filled"
You had it backwards.  It IS gold filled.... he is telling people it is
14k.
JFD>I did not realise the signs did not have the word "Filled" on them.
If they had, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
JFD>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.
The problem doesn't involve white metal, aluminum, gold plate or any
other obviously low quality item.  There are many subtle and some not so
subtle ways to differentiate these items and karat gold.  Those same
tests don't apply when determining the difference in 14k and 14/20kgf.
At any rate, most consumers are not as astute as you evidently are.
   >  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)
To be pertinent to the discussion, you'd have to check 14k against
14/20kgf.  My nemesis isn't hawking steel.
JFD>Oh well... The only jewelry I wear is:
JFD>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.
Curiously enough, the only jewelry I wear is my wedding band.
JFD>But I think anyone who advertises 14K gold should be delivering 14K gold
(Continued to next message)
---
 * QMPro 1.02 42-7029 * (A)bort, (R)etry, (S)mack the @#$&*~ thing!
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
1:135/5.0)
---------------