Regarding diamond and gold testers !

[SVerma]

Are the diamond testers such as presidium multi tester iii, of any use ? And how about their performance?
Is any one using Aurackle gold tester AGT-1 or AGT -2 , how is its performance to gold plated and gold filled items? Are Aurackle testers better than Tri Electronics GXL 24 Pro?

Is any one using these testers or of any other brand , pls let me know your reviews, they will be valuable, as i am planning to buy these.

 

[denverappraiser]

What's your objective? That is to say, are you in, or wishing to get in, the diamond and gold buying business, appraisal busines, pawn business or something similar, or is this just for your own interest?

I like presidium equipment a lot. They're a little pricey but I do recommend them and use several myself, including the multi-tester.

Gold testing is a bit more problematic and there are a lot of players. The Gemoro entry is fairly new but well regarded. It has the advantage of being completely non-descructive, easy to use, avoids funky chemicals and is relatively cheap. The downside is I wouldn't trust it to more than a few percent on the results, and it has problems with palladium. That said, if I didn't already have a competitive tool that I've used for years and am happy with. If I was going into the business fresh, the AGT2 is the one I would buy (BTW, Gemoro makes a competitor to the multi-tester that looks pretty sweet. I don't remember the name but I'm sure it's on their website).

 

[John P]

(BTW, Gemoro makes a competitor to the multi-tester that looks pretty sweet. I don't remember the name but I'm sure it's on their website).

They call it the Pro D II. It sells for less than the Presidium. It looks great and one version comes with a charging stand. I was going to buy one at this year's JCK show... But the rep couldn't get it to work consistently whereas the Presidium MT sitting next to it did fine again and again. I tried to love it, but as much as I enjoy attractive sales reps and a company based in my hometown I couldn't justify veering away from Presidium (Sorry hot Gemoro lady).

 

[SVerma]

Thanks for the reply Mr Denver !

What's your objective? .................
I have recently completed my Graduate Diamonds from GIA, was selected for GIA scholarship. Earlier in 2004 i had done Diploma in Gem Identification(coloured stones) from Gem & Jewellry Export Promotion Council. Since i used my coloured stones course in my career so now i am trying to recall what i learnt. During 2004-2012 i worked for Rosy blue as store manager, then an export manager in a gem stone cutting machine manufacturing organisation and presently i am searching avenues in diamond & diamond jewellry export and local sales for my own company. I have also applied for being a government valuer/appraiser.
Wholesale diamond industry is not as organised in India as it is in other parts of world and often we come across at diamond parcels through brokers that come from diamond cutting factories in Surat.
I am looking upto to set up a small testing lab for myself so that it can make me buy real or true gemstones as well as jewellry.


I like presidium equipment a lot. They're a little pricey .............

I checked the reviews of this tester on net and found that 80% of users prefer Presidium but there are few who say that there tester are giving false results may be they are not taking care of working conditions and testing procedures fully. Igem has a youtube video that reviews all testers available in market. But i do not rely on its review, though its quiet informational, as Igem are also resellers of all these testers.


Gold testing is a bit more problematic and there are a lot of players. ....

Of all the instant gold testers i think only Gemoro and Trielectronics have the most advanced and professional testers. I have read that AGt-1 & 2 can identify gold filled and gold plated both. And to confirm this i have written mails to Gemoro twice, but no reply from there side. While Trielectronics can identify gold plated that too upto certain depth of gold layer.

That said, if I didn't already have a competitive tool that I've used for years and am happy with. .....

So according to you which tester is better, whose results can be relied on while buying jewellry pieces ? And one which can identify gold filled and gold plated jewellry thus avoiding fraud.

I have also Checked Presidium PRIM II refractometer and found it quiet interesting. Apart from this what all other equipment's/tools that may be required for buying jewellry and gemstones wisely ? S.G. Liquid and Polariscope are also on my list.

 

[SVerma]

They call it the Pro D II. It sells for less than the Presidium. It looks great and one version comes with a charging stand. I was going to buy one at this year's JCK show... But the rep couldn't get it to work consistently whereas the Presidium MT sitting next to it did fine again and again. I tried to love it, but as much as I enjoy attractive sales reps and a company based in my hometown I couldn't justify veering away from Presidium (Sorry hot Gemoro lady).

Thanks Mr Pollard. I checked Pro D II, even though price value ratio is this tester is very good. But the situation is same veering away from Presidium is not easy. Moreover after presidium i think the next big market share is of Mizar but the worst part is that it has a fixed probe.

 

[denverappraiser]

I rely very little on my diamond tester. My first diamond testing tool is a loupe and that answers the yes/no question the vast majority of the time. An important thing the tester brings to the table is a satisfying beep. Customers tend to trust a machine more than human judgment and they like to watch you do a test with a decisive yes/no sort of result. It’s a PR thing but easily 95% of the time when I bring the thing out, I already know the answer (although I usually haven’t told the client yet). For me it’s less a way of testing if something is a diamond as it’s a way of demonstrating this to a client.

Having the right tools is important in any trade but the most important thing in being a good gemologist is inside your head. The trap that people get into is that they start to rely on the equipment as a crutch rather than using it as a tool. The tool manufacturers aggravate this problem and are getting rich off of it. If they can convince you that the tool will do the work for you, they can sell you a specialized tool for every application. They can sell supplies, they can sell repairs and they can sell upgrades. These aren’t fundamentally problems and it’s important as a gemologist to stay on top of them, but they’re not a panacea. The brand of tester is not the key issue.

In answer to your question, if I were starting out I would probably buy the Gemoro gold tester and the Presidium diamond tester. I would go for the 'top of the line' that's currently available from both companies and then I wouldn’t rely 100% on either one of them.

 

[SVerma]

Thanks!
The discussion was quiet valuable, and i totally agree with your point of view.

I am new to this group and was wondering, how to get the batches like Appraiser, etc. I checked all links in the forum and could not find the answer.