Buying old gold is profitable, but one low-purity or plated piece can wipe out the margin on many good ones. The answer is a simple routine at the counter: check, test, weigh and record, every time, before you pay. Here is a routine that works.
Why test before you pay and before you melt
Once old pieces are melted together, you cannot tell which one was below the stated karat. The loss is already in the crucible. Testing each piece first protects every deal and gives the customer a clear, fair price.
A five-step counter routine
1. Look and check the hallmark
Look for the BIS mark, the purity grade (for example 22K916) and the six-character HUID. Check the HUID in the BIS CARE app with the customer. Since June 2026, BIS also records photographs and the weight of hallmarked gold pieces, so you can compare the record with the piece in front of you. Our guide on how to check gold purity explains the hallmark in detail.
2. Test the metal on an XRF machine
Even hallmarked pieces may have been repaired. Place the piece in the XRF chamber and read the gold percentage and the other metals. It takes under a minute and leaves no mark, so you can test in front of the customer.
3. Watch for plated and filled pieces
XRF reads the surface. A thick layer of gold over a different metal can read high. Warning signs: a piece that feels too light or too heavy for its size, worn edges showing another colour, or a reading that does not match the hallmark. For coins and bars, a conductivity tester reads deeper below the surface.
4. Weigh it
Weigh on a calibrated scale and note any stones or non-gold parts that need deducting.
5. Record and show the result
Write down the reading, the weight and the price for each piece, and show the customer. A written record makes the deal transparent and protects you later.
Which machines help at the counter
| Machine | What it does at the counter |
|---|---|
| Signet-PC XRF | Reads the alloy of each piece in under a minute, with no mark |
| Signet FSDD XRF | Published accuracy of ±0.10% on gold, for high-value buying |
| Gold coin conductivity tester | Checks coins and bars below the surface |
| Portable gold testing machine | Quick karat check, also for visits outside the shop |
For prices and what each machine includes, see our gold testing machine price guide.
Common counter mistakes
- Paying on the hallmark alone, without testing.
- Testing only one piece from a mixed lot.
- Melting before testing.
- Not recording results, which leads to disputes later.
Where to see and buy it
These are the Semsons Tech machines for this job. The store links let you book online; the other links open the full specifications or a quotation request.
| Machine and where to buy | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Signet-PC XRF gold analyzer Buy or book on our store Full specifications | Benchtop XRF with a Si-PIN detector as standard Installation and operator training included ₹6,45,000 incl. GST; book for ₹50,000 |
| Gold coin conductivity tester Buy or book on our store | Checks the metal below the surface of coins and bars Reads through capsules up to about 3 mm ₹1,35,000 incl. GST |
See how fast a counter test can be. Book a demonstration of our gold testing machines, or call +91 98216 12340.