The Equipment We Test With
XRF Testing
A safe X-ray makes every metal give off its own energy signature. The analyser reads them and reports exactly what your item is made of — without damaging it.
Example reading
18ct Yellow Gold
Au 75.1%
Ag 12.4%
Cu 12.5%
The benefits
BenefitWhat it means
-
No damage
Nothing is scratched, filed or marked.
-
Only takes seconds
Each piece is tested at the table, in front of you.
-
Exact results
How much gold or silver is really there.
-
You see the results
The screen faces you as it reads.
-
No hallmark needed
It reads the metal itself, marked or not.
Our XRF vs the alternatives
What we use
XRF analyser
Reads the metal itself. Exact composition, nothing touched.
Leaves a mark
Acid testing
A file scratch, then acid on the streak. An estimate, and metal is removed.
Guesswork
By eye
A loupe and the hallmark. Nothing at all if the piece is unmarked.
Gemstone Testing
An X-ray reads metal, not stones. Diamonds and coloured stones are tested and graded separately — so you are paid for those too.
Example grading
0.71ct brilliant
Cut Excellent
Colour G
Clarity VS1
The benefits
BenefitWhat it means
-
Real or imitation
A tester separates diamond from cubic zirconia and moissanite.
-
Priced separately
You are paid for the stones, not only the metal around them.
-
Nothing is unset
Stones stay in their mounts while we work.
-
Graded under a loupe
Cut, colour and clarity, by an eye trained on thousands.
-
Papers add value
Bring GIA or AGS certificates and they count towards the offer.
Our testing vs the alternatives
What we use
Tested and graded
Diamond tester, loupe and gauge. Every stone judged on its own merit.
Stones ignored
Melt weight only
The mount is weighed and the stones are written off as worthless.
Guesswork
A glance
No tester, so nothing separates a real diamond from a good imitation.