Summary

In stock and available for immediate UK dispatch (unlike other suppliers, we don't take your money then order it from overseas!). Includes pen-probe.

Making it with a simple analogue meter seems to have solved the problems found with 'computerised' electronic gold testers. This is definitely the most reliable electronic tester we have seen.

The price does not include a sample of 18ct and 22ct. If you deal in jewellery you will have these - if not, you will need the 18ct sample for testing general jewellery; plus the 22ct sample if you want to test above 18ct accurately.

Guarantee: 1 year

Detail

Size 90 X 170 X 50mm (3.5 X 7 X 2 inches)
No acids involved, the probe contains a harmless salt solution.
Tests gold from 8ct to 24ct (the scale is marked "K" instead of "ct" because it's American)
The pen-probe provides up to 3000 tests.
Simple analogue meter, good reliability
Simply touch pen probe to the item, result is shown in 2 or 3 seconds, very fast
Includes extra contact leads for large items that will not fit on the test-plate.
Easy calibration with a sample of 18ct ( a sample of 22ct gold if you want to test above 18ct accurately) - not included in the price of the tester
As with every tester (whether you spend £15.00 or £12,000.00) it only tests the surface. This means you must file the surface with a fine needle-file (supplied with each tester) in a place where it won't show, to remove any surface plating.

INCLUDED:

Battery
Diamond-impregnated file
Very clear illustrated instruction booklet written by QUICKTEST
An extra set of leads for testing very large items that will not fit on the test-plate (though we have never known anyone who has needed to use these).

White Metals

SUMMARY

The KEE tester works best on yellow gold. On white gold It will (providing the item is filed thoroughly) tell you if it is gold but will not necessarily give an accurate carat reading; it will also (providing the item is filed thoroughly) tell you if it is platinum.

DETAIL

Silver reads as not gold.

Steel or tungsten can read as high-carat or as platinum if it is not filed first; once filed it should read not gold.

White gold with a high nickel content will give a reading that is too low; white gold containing Palladium, or with a high silver content, will give a reading that is too high.

Pure Palladium will read somewhere between 18ct an 24ct (be suspicious, 22ct gold an only be yellow).

Rhodium is used as a plating to improve the colour of the gold. If you don’t file it, it will test as platinum; if you file it slightly, the tester will pick up both rhodium and gold and the reading will be too high; if you file it thoroughly, the test will be more accurate.

Extras

Also included, the following free gifts (these don't come as 'standard'):

Carrying pouch
Mini hallmark chart
Gold-polishing cloth

and you will have the option of selecting a free gift! (online orders only).

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

A pen-probe is included, if you want a spare, select it from "Optional Extras".

To test 9ct to 22ct you will need a sample of 18ct yellow gold (it must be exactly 18ct). This is to 'match' the electronics in the tester to the carat (technical term: calibrate). You cannot use the tester without this.

If you want to test 20ct to 24ct accurately you will also need a sample of exactly 22ct.

You can use anything with a UK hallmark or you can add one (or both) calibration samples to your order, click on View Optional Extras.

UK traders will already have hallmarked items, which is why we don't include the calibration samples in the price of the tester.

Reliability

The tester is guaranteed for one year.

the level of returns is 2%, of which half turn out not be faulty at all (used-up probe, flat battery, out of calibration).
we do find that many are faulty when we receive them from the supplier in the USA. We return these to the supplier, we do not sell them. Unlike other companies, we open and test every one thoroughly That's why we have such a low level or returns; that's why we have such good feedback.

Pen-probe

A pen-probe is included with your purchase, if you want a spare, click on View Optional Extras. A pen-probe is guaranteed for one month.

The pen-probe is like a felt pen, if you don't replace the cap firmly it dries out. The manufacturers say it will give "up to a few thousand tests" (which could mean any number less than this). They also say it should be replaced after a year (a year from the date on its sticker).

Comments from customers:

The KEE tests on average about 40 items a day and the probe lasts about 6 months, 5000 tests. The solution in the probe outlasts the tip which becomes soiled from testing scrap. We replace the probe when reliability drifts and more regular calibration is required with our 18ct control sample.
We get around 3 months and test around 10 times a day, often 15 times a day. Overall we think they last well.

Our probe only lasted 3 months, we are very disappointed.

It's variable, some probes last approximately 12- 18 months each (about 2000 tests) and some 9 - 12 months (about 1000 tests).
The probes seem to last us at least a year, I would say that it was at least 200 individual tests, and perhaps even up to 400 tests over that period.

Sometimes a probe lasts a few months but sometimes only a few weeks.

Conclusion:

Generally, a pen-probe lasts between 3 and 18 months but it can be as long as 2 years or as short as 6 weeks - the guaranteed is one month from the date of purchase.

Although the manufacturers recommend you change it after a year, if it's still working, it's fine. Providing you are still able to calibrated the tester, you will get accurate results.

The date on the sticker on the pen-probe is so that we know which batch it comes from and so that you have an idea when it's getting to be a year old. Irrespective of the date on the sticker, the guarantee is one month from the date you purchased it.

Disclaimer

All testers must be used in conjunction with the user's skill, knowledge and experience. Under no circumstances shall QUICKTEST be liable for direct or indirect loss sustained in connection with any item. Nothing is 100% accurate, you must understand the limitations of any tester you buy. Full support given for items you buy from QUICKTEST.