Digital authenticators may seem like an easy way to verify gold and platinum, but their results often fall short of expert testing.
It’s natural to wonder whether the jewelry we own is the real deal. Whether it’s gifted to us or purchased by us, we want to know if the pieces we take care of are authentic and not just cheaply manufactured or counterfeits.
There are tools available to help jewelry owners figure it out. One of them is the Gemoro Auracle Pro. Some of this testing kit’s best features include a 20% improvement in accuracy compared to older tools, the ability to test gold of varying colors and purities, ranging from 8k to 24k, and the capability to test platinum.
How to Use the Gemoro Auracle Pro
One initial drawback of the Gemoro Auracle Pro is that it’s a must to have an 18k gold sample to calibrate it before use. This is a step to ensure that the kit, with all its parts, is working as intended. If you have platinum jewelry or gold that’s a different karat, you’ll have to source or borrow an 18k gold sample from elsewhere.
Overall, the kit is straightforward to use and contains a plate (a.k.a. the digital testing scale) and plug, jewelry file, a pen (sometimes called a probe), and user manual. It is possible to use this tool at home; however, it does require some caution. The purpose of the file is to scratch off a small surface area of jewelry, potentially to remove some coating or residue on the outer layer to test it. It’s entirely possible to file off too much of the jewelry, causing visible damage. If you are not sure if you can do this properly, it’s best to ask a jeweler and/ or professional jewelry appraiser to perform this.
After filing the jewelry, it should be placed on the plate. You then take the pen and touch it to the filed surface, and in a matter of seconds, the monitor on the kit should tell you your gold’s karat or if it is indeed platinum.
First Impressions and Test Results
Upon testing the Gemoro Auracle Pro for the first time, straight out of the box, the kit yielded inconsistent and incorrect results. The kit did not provide accurate readings of several pieces of gold jewelry, stating that the pieces were of a lower or higher karat than what is correct. In one test, it even stated that one certified platinum piece was 24k gold.
Gauging from this brief testing kit demonstration, the Gemoro Auracle Pro does not beat the in-person services of an expert appraiser. It has many limitations, considering that it may not even be able to differentiate between gold and platinum, let alone provide accurate findings of gold purity. Its results do not provide a good basis for determining the authenticity of jewelry. It is not a recommended purchase.
Better Alternatives for Jewelry Testing
For better testing, the acid test remains the best alternative. Consult with an expert about this. There are acid testing kits that are also commercially available, however, the acid used for the procedure is hazardous. And, if sold by a non-verified source, it may be diluted with other substances, thus increasing the risk of you getting inaccurate results.
The Best Way to Authenticate Jewelry
In summary, set an appointment with a legitimate jeweler who understands testing, has the right resources and knowledge, and won’t fool you. This remains to be the best way to get peace of mind about the authenticity of your beloved jewelry.
