An instrument designed to differentiate precious materials from counterfeits using various scientific principles. For instance, one type assesses thermal conductivity to distinguish diamonds from cubic zirconia. Another relies on the density differences of gold compared to base metals to evaluate purity. These tools provide a means of verifying the authenticity and value of precious metals and gems.
Accurate identification of genuine articles is paramount for both consumers and professionals within the jewelry trade. Such devices provide assurance against fraud, informing purchasing decisions and facilitating fair market transactions. Historically, simple acid tests were used, but modern devices offer increased accuracy and minimize potential damage to the tested items, while providing quantitative results, often in the form of purity levels or probabilities.
