Best Electronic Gold Tester Reviews: Gold, gold, gold… It is a very precious element found deep inside the Earth. It is slightly reddish-golden, bright and delicate yet dense, and feels premium when in its most genuine form. For everyday use, pure gold is too soft to be worn. Therefore, it is alloyed with other base metals like copper, silver, nickel zinc, etc. This gives gold the needed durability. As a standard measure of its purity, ‘Karat’ (k) is the recognized symbol. Best gold testers can help you ensure its quality.
24k gold is the most expensive one being 99.9 percent pure. Mostly, it is not used for making jewelry and 22k gold is used for the same. It has 22 parts gold and the other two are base metals making it a lot harder. 18k, on the other hand, is 75% gold and 25% other metals. This is more appropriate for bejeweling diamonds and other stones. Gold is oh-so-valuable, thus, testing for its purity comes along. No matter the reason, gold testing techniques have been around for ages.
However, with the advancement of technology, such methods have increased. Today, we have electronic/ digital gold tester pens and instruments that prove valuable and help evaluate certified gold. So, here we’ll take a look at the best gold testers for sale on Amazon. I’ll tell you how the most accurate gold testers work, what are the advantages, and also share the best gold tester reviews for 2024.
Table of Contents
Comparison of Best Electronic Gold Tester from Amazon: Updated 2024
Ranking | Product | Our Rating | Check Price |
1. | Kee Electronic Gold Tester Review | 7.5/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
2. | Professional Gold/Silver Estate Precious Electronic Gold Tester Review | 9.2/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
3. | GemOro 2015 Replacement Pen Probe Electronic Gold Tester Review | 8.8/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
4. | AuRACLE Model AGT-1 Electronic Gold Tester Review | 7.0/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
5. | RS Mizar M24 Mizar Gold Tester Review | 7.0/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
6. | Et18 RS Mizar Electronic Gold Tester Review | 6.6/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
7. | N52 Neodymium Jewelry Test Magnet Review | 8.6/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
8. | Tri Electronics GT-EXPRESS Mini Digital Gold Tester Review | 6/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
9. | Gold, Silver, And Platinum Electronic Tester Review | 5.5/10 | VIEW ON AMAZON |
What Are Electronic Gold Testers?
Acid tests are quite popular when it comes to gold testing. The best gold testing kits are brought to use for observing the resultant reactions. The scratch or touchstone test is another method of identifying the varying colors of the gold to find the genuine one. Since the advent of electronic gold testers, things have become easier. Nitric and hydrochloric acids are potentially dangerous to work with. One needs proper expertise as well as safety gear such as gloves and glasses. These aren’t travel-friendly, especially while shipping or by air. An electronic gold tester, however, differs in design and implementation. It is hassle-free and doesn’t involve any hazards. Although these too use some sort of gel or custom-made liquid. But, the level of risk is significantly reduced.
Tri Electronics and GemOro are popular US brands that manufacture such gold testers. These are less risky than household chemicals or other testing methods that have been around for some time now. Their testing units are compact along with being pretty affordable.
Such brands bring to you professional-grade instruments that can test a larger number of items daily. Mostly there are two types of gold testers available in the market – ones that can test up to 18k of gold purity whereas the others can test up to 24k gold. The former is a less expensive variant and the latter remains to be on the costlier side. 18K testers are generally less sensitive as compared to other advanced models. Therefore, there also are more chances for mistakes. So, testing coins, for example, would require a 24K electronic gold tester than any other to omit errors and give out precise readings. Such unconventional models are more sensitive as well as accurate. Let me now tell you how electronic gold testers work …
How Do Electronic Gold Testers Work?
The best gold testers out there help you gain some vital information. Gold, platinum as well as other such precious metals are measured to determine whether they are genuine or not. Based on an element’s electrical conductivity, authenticity can be obtained with a digital gold tester.
In professional terms, an electronic gold tester measures the decay of electrical current passing through it. You clean the piece in such a way that one spot remains on the testing board and the other side remains on the top so the sensor can test. A probe pen has some kind of non-toxic gel that releases onto the sample that is being tested. The battery current then passes through it to finally give the exact reading – in other words, the Karat reading. There’s no destruction or any kind of marking left while testing and the process is environment-friendly as well as safe even if you have kids around as opposed to acid testing.
Advantages Of Having A Gold Tester…
Counterfeiting is a serious scam for both jewelers as well as customers. However, an electronic gold tester can help you prevent the risk of that too without having to destroy the item. These devices are an innovative solution to ensure high-quality and precise testing of gold, platinum, silver, and other such metals. So basically, an electronic gold tester is a licensed as well as quality-controlled compact device that helps you test the genuineness of gold. It unconventionally helps test the purity of gold – no use of acids, filing or scratching. You can simply touch and test. (Check out the best gold tester reviews to choose the right device for yourself).
Gold testers for sale are lightweight and travel-friendly. The apparatus comes with a testing pen. LED indication bars, LCDs, or needles tell you the exact values in terms of karat along with other vital information. Once you put in the batteries and the device turns on, you will then have to calibrate the same before testing the final pieces. When the preliminary steps are taken care of, start testing without any trouble. You need no expertise in carrying out the test. Just go through the manuals and the device will show accurate results.
Best Electronic Gold Testers Reviews from Amazon: Updated 2024
1. Kee Gold Tester Review-Most Reliable Gold Testers
The Kee Gold Tester is a portable instrument that’s battery-operated, user-friendly as well as very practical. To your surprise, this compact and easy-to-use device tests 8k, 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k as well as 24k gold along with platinum. It’s a reliable tool that safely allows you to test any metal. With a 6-month manufacturer warranty, the Kee Gold Tester comes along with an 18k test sample. It’s a sophisticated machine without any messy gels or liquid. You also get the batteries in the package. However, there are a few cables that you require to adequately run the device.
Certain gold testers for sale can also be a bit complicated to use. However, this one is easy, efficient as well as accurate. Being professional-grade, the equipment can still be used by beginners – just follow the instructions manual and you are good to go. Chemical-free testing makes sure your items remain spot-free. Plus it adds to your safety. Just calibrate the unit before using it for proper testing and you will get reliable as well as near-perfect results. The Kee Gold Tester lasts for more than 170 hours on a single AA battery.
- 10K to 24K.
- Battery-operated.
- Easy calibration.
- Accurate readings.
- Portable.
- High-quality.
- The price is a little high.
2. Professional Gold/ Silver Estate Precious Metals Kit Review-Best Gold Tester Kit
To help you purchase premium quality and one of the best gold testing kits, I bring to you the Professional Gold/ Silver Estate Precious Metals Kit by PuriTEST.
It tests for 10k – 22k gold along with silver as well as platinum. It’s even designed to digitally test the counterfeit diamond. You can refer to the full-fledged graph provided in the kit to ensure you are testing diamonds the right way. It comes includes different types of non-toxic solutions that are applied for testing various metals.
The kit is useful for both beginners as well as professionals. You can easily test and weigh your samples. The electronic device emits audible sounds and also shows LED indicators for precise readings. There’s an LCD too. It’s a great kit that will provide surprising and accurate revelations. The results come out quickly and the process goes about hassle-free. Not to forget, the unit comes with a lifetime warranty period. Overall, it’s a value-for-money item with absolutely no negative comments/ reviews on Amazon.
- Perfect even for diamond testing.
- Affordable.
- Instructions are well explained.
- Easy to use.
- 2 test stones were included.
- Comes with 6 solution bottles.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Includes solutions for testing(acid testing).
3. GemOro 2015 Replacement Pen Probe Blue Gold and Platinum Testers Review
This is certified as well as an approved OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement pen by GemOro (2015 model). It perfectly works with AGT1, AGT2 as well as AGT Blue testers.
The tip contains a saline solution to test the purity of elements like gold and platinum. If you leave it without the cap, the tip may form some minute crystals which you can rub off easily with tissue paper and re-use the pen probe without any hassle. Therefore, it is always suggested to immediately put on the cap after using the pen for testing so it doesn’t dry off and provide accurate results.
Amongst the best gold tester reviews, I’ve also included this pen since it’s a necessary accessory that comes along with a digital gold tester. So, once the pen that comes along with your particular purchase gets old/ dry/ incompetent, you have to buy a new one, and here’s a budget-friendly option for you. It works pretty well on all kinds of samples and is a perfect replacement.
- Does around 5000 tests.
- Portable.
- Sturdy.
- Efficient.
- Touch and test.
- Affordable.
- Dries up fast.
4. AuRACLE Model AGT-1 Electronic Gold Tester Review-Top Gold Testers
The AuRACLE Model AGT-1 Electronic Gold Tester from GemOro is certified and one of the best-performing handheld electronic testers. It boasts unmatched accuracy, is easy to use, tests platinum as well as 6K to 24K gold, and provides you with immediate test results.
You don’t require any gels or toxic fluids to test the authenticity of samples. The measures are indicated through the LED panel and you get a probe Pen for easy detection. It’s a compact device that’s battery-powered (batteries come included) and you also receive an easy-to-follow instructions manual. The pen leads to no spotting on the sample and it’s amongst the best gold testers for sale on Amazon. Not only is the tester suitable for beginners but it’s also highly recommendable for professionals.
- 6K to 24K.
- User-friendly.
- Detailed evaluation.
- Dynamic features.
- Durable.
- LED display.
- A bit difficult to configure.
5. RS Mizar M24 Mizar Gold Tester Review
The RS Mizar M24 Mizar Gold Tester is a non-destructive testing model to determine the authenticity of not just gold but also platinum. You can test 9k to 24k gold in just a few seconds.
The setup is easy, configuration happens in a breeze and it remains protected with the auto shut feature. Low battery indication helps you a lot more. Although it’s a professional tester and not too suitable for beginners, newbies need to be a little more careful with it.
It has mixed reviews despite all the positives. The results don’t come out with 100% accuracy but are somewhat close. Some people believe that the predecessors of M24 have performed well in comparison to this one. But, the current model is no less. It is portable, battery-operated well, and cable or liquid-free. It’s comparatively less expensive, very simple and is one of the best amongst all its models.
- 9k to 24k.
- Easy to use.
- Quick results.
- Automatic shut-off.
- Low battery indicator.
- Not for beginners.
6. Et18 RS Mizar Electronic Gold Tester Review- Best Gold Testers On The Market
The Et18 RS Mizar Electronic Gold Tester determines gold values from 10k to 18k. It’s a pro-quality product available at a much more affordable price. The results are displayed on the LCD screen in just 2 seconds.
It is a much safer option that detects all colors of platinum as well as gold. It is simple to use and comes with a 1-year warranty. You can even check for white, red as well as green gold to obtain better results. It’s portable as well as accurate however it still requires chemical reagents. Considering all the positives, the item is somewhat flawed and has shown false readings too. The consistency is questionable but for some people, its low cost makes up for the negatives.
- LCD.
- Results come out in 2 seconds.
- Consistent.
- Portable.
- 10K to 18K testing.
- Affordable.
- Measures based on color.
7. N52 Neodymium Jewelry Test Magnet Review
The N52 Neodymium Pocket Key Chain/ Ring Gold and Silver Jewelry Test Magnet are compact and affordable. Being an Amazon Choice product, this test magnet by Highlandhawker is ideal for antique-related works, brokers as well as metal recyclers. It’s a US-made product that can help you identify and sort out gold as well as silver jewelry pieces along with brass, steel, and bronze.
The magnet is powerful enough to grab it all. The keychain style makes it comfortable and handy. It also comes with a rubber top that protects the magnet when not in use. This ensures that the magnetic force is strong enough for a longer time. You can easily sort the real precious metals from the plated or fake ones. But, you certainly need to make sure where you are keeping or storing the magnet since it can damage the nearby electronic devices due to a strong field.
- Powerful magnet.
- Travel-friendly.
- Affordable.
- Sorts precious from non-precious metals.
- Rubber cover for the magnet.
- Would require further testing.
8. Tri Electronics GT-EXPRESS Mini Digital Gold Tester Review
If you’re searching for a basic and compact-size gold tester that has some advanced features, try this one. The Tri-Electronics GT-EXPRESS Mini Digital Gold Tester tests 10k-18k gold and provides quick results. It’s a relatively new addition to the market but comes at an affordable price without any hazardous liquids or gels.
The only disadvantage that I feel is that it doesn’t show the exact Karat measurement and just the range. For instance, if you have a 10k piece, LEDs would indicate the sample to be in the range of 10k to 13k.
The Tri-Electronics GT-EXPRESS Mini Digital Gold Tester comes at an affordable price with a 1-year warranty. Also, it’s one of the most accurate gold testers for sale on Amazon. Not only that, the instrument is sturdy and for both professional as well as non-commercial use.
- Compact and basic.
- Affordable.
- Accurate.
- Non-toxic liquid.
- Shows a range and not exact Karat.
- Not too durable.
9. Gold, Silver, and Platinum Tester by TRI Electronics Review
Tri Electronics is a well-acclaimed organization known for manufacturing top-rated and high-quality digital gold testers for sale. They have a series of testers ranging from commercial, and non-commercial to budget-friendly and expensive models.
This one, in particular, is on the expensive side but is multipurpose. You can test gold samples from 6k onwards along with items that are 80-100% silver as well as 90-100% platinum. The package comes all-inclusive of the tester itself along with a carrying case, instructions manual, batteries, filer, eraser, cable connectors, silver testing solution, and a few other necessary items. The unit comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty which is great. And it can test both filled as well as gold plates to give you precise measurements.
- 6k-24k Testing.
- 1000+ Tests.
- Tests gold, platinum, and silver.
- Battery-operated.
- Comes with a carry case.
- 2-year warranty.
- Priced is a little high.
How To Use Electronic Gold Testers?
Gold testers are incredibly easy and quick to use. It’s a mess-free process and most of the testers display measurements in karats or gold colors. Not just gold, these kinds of gold testers for sale are efficient enough to even test silver, platinum, and other such metals. You can follow the instructions manual that comes along. But, if that’s not your thing, here I’ll simplify the steps. So, how to use electronic gold testers?
This Is How: You Can Use Electronic Gold Testers
Put in the required batteries for the unit to power on or you can also separately purchase and use an AC adapter. Switch on the battery setting when using that or switch to the adapter setting when the cord is plugged in. Quite easy to start with. (Keep in mind that I am referring to models like the GemOroAuRACLE for this explanation).
Next up, plug in the testing probe and run the calibrated device to maintain accuracy each time you want to test a metal in the future. Switch on the equipment, get a sample piece of gold (preferably or at least 14k), and place it on the testing pad. Remove the cap of the testing probe or pen, touch it to the item (not too hard, not soft), and wait for the light indicator on the LED bar to start ascending. Once it starts to move upwards, wait until it gets to a steady point somewhere in the middle. When the light blinks steadily, press the ‘Calibration’ button and hold on for a few seconds till you see a green light that indicates the machine is ready to test.
After calibrating, the final step now is to test any other piece of gold which is the procedure you carried out during the calibration process. However, now you can test for samples that you don’t know about. You also get a filer with some models to file the piece a little and get a cleaner surface for testing. However, it’s practically not recommended to do so with high-value pieces or jewelry since you may damage or heavily scratch the piece. But, it is totally up to you if there’s something you might want to test that way.
Anyway, just clean the piece yourself with tissue paper or just a regular paper eraser. Put it on the testing pad, take out your gold tester pen, touch the piece with it, and watch out for the LED indication to see how much karat gold it is.
An Example…
The above procedure is for testing gold items. So now for instance, if you have a platinum ring, the LED blinks on the PT (platinum) section of the same LED panel. A digital gold tester like the AuRACLE model by GemOre glows up the NA indication light if you test metals like silver, steel, or iron. NA means the metal isn’t gold. A metal like gold isn’t too light and feels dense when picked up as compared to other base metals. Put your common sense to the test and check for markings and other things. If you’re suspicious of an item, examine it further.
Once you are done testing with your electronic gold tester pen, make sure to put back the cap so it doesn’t dry up. Wipe off the tip of the device if you feel they are dirty – just use a paper towel and you are good to go. Some probe pens offer up to 5000 tests and once you’re done with that, you can easily purchase a new one.
In short, the conductor fluid of the probe pen reaches the gold item and applies the charge to indicate whether it’s gold (10K, 14K, 18K, etc.) or not. Check out our best gold tester reviews to find out which one to go for!
Things To Consider Before Buying Best Electronic Gold Testers: Buying Guide
The best gold testers are accurate enough to authenticate a metal. You just need to use the equipment with the utmost precision. The procedure of testing differs from one product to another and each of them works according to how well they are calibrated. Most of us are familiar with the Kee Gold tester, GemOro pen, and the AuRACLE model. These are the topmost market rulers and they work fine after following the instructions. Digital gold testers are of professional quality and are also user-friendly. However, there are certain things to consider before buying the best electronic gold testers. Here I bring to you the best buying guide for the most accurate gold testers.
Factors To Consider:
Well if you plan on selling or purchasing gold items, it’s always convenient to have an electronic gold tester. And to make sure you have the right device, there are just a few things to consider and always keep in mind to save time, money, and energy.
Any gold tester that you are planning on purchasing must have at least a 9% accuracy rate. Low-cost testers are appealing but they’re not always a worthy choice. However, consider your particular requirement – investing in something inexpensive and budget-friendly can still be considered. So, the accuracy rate, price, as well as your personal need, governs what device you must go for.
Other Actors To Keep In Mind Are The Following:
- Durability
- Ease of use
- Quick evaluation
- Number of tests the device can make
- Accompanied accessories
- Levels of Karats
- What other elements can it test
- Battery operated or needs cables
- Small size or hefty
- Travel-friendly or not
- Unique features
- Guarantee/ warranty conditions
- How visible are the results
- Gel/ acids or pen probe required
- Professional or home use
Electronic testers, in my opinion, are pretty convenient. You just need to figure out which model is suitable for you and that’s it. In case you want to which are the topmost ones out there, check out the section on the best electronic god testers available on Amazon. It’s an updated and detailed list of testers that rank the highest in 2024. You can also comment below if you need help or have any queries.
Some Quick Facts About Gold…
To get the most out of your electronic gold tester, it’s important for you to also know some essential facts about gold. Gold is extremely ductile – an ounce of it can be stretched into a 50-mile-long gold wire. It can also be beaten into around 300 sq. ft. thin sheets with just an ounce. The element is chemically inert and is found stuck in the rocks inside the earth’s crust.
Gold has a multipurpose usage, therefore, it always remains in high demand. It is also a bit too expensive because of being scarce in quantity. It requires not just effort but expertise along with a lot of money to dig it up from beneath the surface (mining cost) of the earth. So, to ensure that the best gold testing kits come up with the right results, you must also know a bit more about the element.
- Unlike platinum, gold melts at a relatively lower temperature.
- It doesn’t tarnish and is a stable element, unlike silver.
- Gold can better conduct electricity and its resilience makes it suitable for industrial applications too.
- Gold is easy to work with for jewelers and has no reaction coming in contact with the skin.
- It can be hammered into translucent sheets or drawn into wires as thin as human hair (can be even thinner).
- It remains unaffected even by the harshest of chemicals or acids.
- Gold isn’t that easy to counterfeit or destroy. Only aqua regia (a combination of different acids) can dissolve gold.
- High-purity gold has no taste as well as an odor.
Frequently Asked Questions For Best Electronic Gold Tester: FAQs
Q1. How much does a gold tester cost?
Prices of the best gold testers may vary depending upon several aspects along with the product’s specifications. A digital gold tester can cost you as low as $30 or as high as $300. Factors such as affordability, usage, availability, special features, brand name, rating, convenience, and accompanying accessories, etc. affect the price bracket. But, to get more information on the best gold testing kits available on Amazon or offline, you can check out the section on the best gold tester reviews. These will help you gain a better insight into the same. High-tech metal detectors are pretty advanced as well as expensive. However, if you are a beginner and just need a tester for hobby purposes, you can pick one at a reasonable cost. I would not recommend you invest much in it.
Q2. Are electronic gold testers accurate?
Talking of accuracy, yes, the best gold detectors are very much accurate. These are also trustworthy as well as appropriate options in comparison with the traditional methods. The correctness of digital gold testers pretty much depends on how well you use them. And, these offer quick evaluation i.e. results show up in just a few seconds.
To test whether the element is genuine gold or not, a few common methods are in use. Looking for Hallmark is the first and foremost way of identifying the authenticity of gold. However, nitric acid, liquid foundation, magnetization, heaviness as well and other professional testing methods too are reliable. But electronic gold testing, on the other hand, is unquestionably less dangerous, inexpensive, thorough, cost-effective, and energy-efficient along with being super convenient. To find the most accurate gold testers, check out the best gold tester reviews and make an informed purchase.
Q3. Are electronic gold testers reliable?
Not many people are aware of the electronic gold testing techniques, however, these are mess-free as well as non-toxic. If not 100%, these provide you with 99% accuracy in results. Electronic gold testers for sale on Amazon are very accurate and designed for both professional and home use. These are fast and safe along with being portable, unlike traditional acid tests. Even industry experts attest to this method of testing and claim it to be more dependable. You can check out the best gold tester reviews to know more about how digital gold testers work along with other relevant info.
Final Words for Best Electronic Gold Tester:
The authenticity of gold is laid down based on the Karat system. However, due to the malpractices of some professionals, gold is mixed with other base metals in an inappropriate ratio and sold at a higher price. Counterfeiting is a massive problem and digital gold testers are often the best way to check that out. These offer an advantage over traditional testing systems that rely on acids and toxic gels. However, such solutions may corrode or damage the metal in one way or the other.
So, the best and most accurate gold testers for sale offer precise readings as well as absolute safety. You can find a model according to your needs. Do check out the best gold tester reviews to gain a better insight into which products suit you best. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or need more information regarding any of the products.