Dymond Electronic Touchstone ET18 User manual

Step G: Hold test gold in liquid for two seconds. Slowly count to yourself one
thousand one, one thousand two. The time it takes to say this to yourself is
approximately two seconds.
Step H: Test gold karat value will be displayed as the highest value lit. During the
two second test, 10K and 14 K readings will occur as soon as the gold enters the
liquid. 18K may take as long as 1 second to indicate.
Step I: Immediately after testing, use a paper towel or other disposable soft
absorbent item to clean the test area. Also absorb the liquid from the test well and
safely discard when finished testing or in five minutes, if doing multiple tests.
Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t leave liquid on gold after testing, it may tend to discolor the gold. This
can be removed with the eraser or by almost any jewelry brightening product.
Don’t use chemicals more than five minutes for proper results.
Don’t touch test gold or alligator clip lead to reference gold at bottom of test
well. If this happens, stop and remove liquid; carefully clean reference gold at
the bottom of the well with the eraser pencil provided, until reference gold is
bright and clean.
Don’t let alligator clip touch liquid.
Do occasionally clean reference gold at the bottom of the test well with eraser
pencil, especially if you suspect any test error.
Don’t leave liquid in test well. Do clean after each test or after five minutes.
Do clean test gold, if necessary, before testing. Unclean gold may result in
inaccurate readings. In any case, do clean gold before retesting in the same
area.
Do keep gold chains very tight (link to link) during testing. Use the fewest
number of links (one if possible) between the alligator clip lead and the gold
link to be immersed into the liquid.
There may be dirt or contamination between links that would require intensive
cleaning (i.e. ultrasonic) before testing.
Some chains, especially certain European manufactured chains have a thin
non-metallic coating that must be removed before testing that area. The eraser
pencil may be used to remove this coating.
When testing chains, remember that the solder often used at the link is of a
lower karat than the rest of the chain. Therefore, avoid testing in that area.
Do make sure good contact is achieved between the test gold and the alligator
clip lead. If the object to be tested is too large to fit in the clip lead, simply
hold the clip lead tightly against the test gold during test.
Do always clean the test gold surface with eraser or suitable cleaner before any
repeat testing.
Do replace the electrolyte and the activator kit every 18 months.
INSTRUCTIONS
ET18 & ET18-9
Electronic Touchstone ™
Gold Tester
Congratulations on your selection of the R S Mizar ET18 Electronic Touchstone Gold
Tester. You will be pleased with the world’s fastest and easiest to use gold tester.
With minimal care you will have years of accurate and maintenance free service.
Before testing, read the entire instructions, bottle labels, and the following:
The “Activator” is a peroxide similar to peroxides used in the home but stronger. If
contaminated (i.e. drops dispensed and then drawn back into bottle) peroxide will
gradually release oxygen under pressure.
If contamination such as described above, or any other contamination occurs, you
must then safely dispose of Activator.
Do not keep contaminated Activator bottle. Replacement bottles of activator are
available at a nominal charge through your distributor and your dealer. ET18-9 has 9
Karat instead of 10 Karat range.
Width –2.65” Height – 3.75” Depth – 0.87” Weight – 4 0z
US Patents 5080766, 5128016 Other U.S. and International Patent rights pending
Operating Instructions
Step A: Turn power switch up for yellow or green gold and down for white or pink
gold. The NOT GOLD indicator should be lit.
Step B: Dispense exactly one drop of ET18 activator into test well.
Step C: Dispense exactly 3 drops of ET18 electrolyte into test well. Never reverse
the order of activator and electrolyte or inaccurate reading may be obtained.
Step D: If required, carefully clean gold with the eraser at area to be immersed in test
well. Always clean gold before retesting in the same area.
Step E: Attach alligator clip lead to the test gold.
Step F: Carefully immerse into liquid in well without touching reference gold at
bottom of well and without touching the alligator clip to the liquid (note clip must be
thoroughly cleaned and dried after any accidental immersion.)

Cleaning the Test Well
The most important step to consistently have accurate results using your gold tester,
is the cleaning of the, ”Well & Clip”. The eraser stick has been removed from the
unit. In its’ place is a standard “Q-Tip”, which is to be used for the cleaning of the
well. Do your test as normal, when the test is complete or changing chemical
solution use one end of the Q-Tip to absorb the chemical, then use the other end to
remove any remaining residue. Dispose of the Q-Tip when complete. Never leave
any chemical solution in the well when not testing. If any chemical happens to
come in contact with the clip, clean immediately with a clean paper towel.
Warranty
Dymond, Inc. provides that each ET18 gold tester system to be free from defects in
material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This
warranty becomes void by:
(1) Unauthorized repair, misuse, modification, alteration, tampering, or
breaking any factory seal.
(2) Accidental damage, neglect, or improper use.
Batteries and chemicals are not included in the warranty.
Dymond, Inc. shall not be held legally liable or responsible for any error in
determining the gold content of any object using the ET18 gold tester.
Electrolyte Kit
Replacement of the ET18 Electrolyte and Activator kit can be obtained from your
dealer or distributor. Operating temperature is 65ºF to 90ºF.
For technical assistance, please call:
Dymond, Inc.
3307 Industrial 25th Street
Fort Pierce, FL 34946.
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Testing for Gold Plate
Introduction:
Probably most of the gold plated items referred to as “costume jewelry” or “fashion
jewelry” contain gold at the surface which is no thicker than eight millionths of an
inch. Such a gold plate is referred to as gold flash. A large percentage of gold flash
is sufficiently thin and or porous (microscopically) that the ET18 gold tester will read
through the plate and indicate “NOT GOLD”. A thicker plate will read as karat gold
unless a portion of the surface being tested is erased with the eraser pencil or filed to
expose the metal underneath. The eraser should be used as first choice since it is
easier to use and non-destructive. However, the eraser will not work on thick gold
plate.
General description of procedure
To determine that an item is gold plated, the user of the ET18 gold tester must take at
least two different readings, one reading of a surface which has not been erased or
filed. The reading of the erased or filed surface will be lower if the metal underneath
is not gold. To be sure the metal underneath is not palladium, see the section on
testing for palladium. The sufficient area of non-gold is exposed to the liquid but the
unerased or unfilled gold plate exposed to the liquid does have some effect on the
reading; that is why point 2 of the following section under precautions is important.
When testing for heavy gold plate, it may be necessary to use a fast drying lacquer or
material such as a clear fingernail polish. The area to be tested must be coated with
the lacquer and allowed to dry. Next make a file mark in the center of the coating
deep enough to expose the base metal. Then test the exposed base metal with the
ET18 gold tester. Do not allow the liquid to touch any part of the gold that has not
been coated.
Testing for palladium
Both palladium and platinum will indicate karat gold if tested. Platinum jewelry is
usually traded at a higher price than gold jewelry, so platinum is seldom marketed as
gold. Palladium, however, is one-quarter to one-third the price of pure gold, so it
should be noted that pure palladium may read as medium karat gold. Palladium
prong settings are sometimes soldered into diamond solitaire white gold rings. If
palladium is suspected, it is easily distinguished from gold as nitric acid will quickly
turn palladium dark. Gold is not affected in this way.
Low Battery
If the NOT GOLD light does not come on or goes off during testing, the battery must
be replaced. Replace the battery by removing the rubber feet on the rear of the case.
Then remove the four screws under the feet. Open the case and replace the 9V
battery. Be careful not to pinch any wire when replacing the rear cover.