Kee Gold Tester - anyone interested?

[werewolf]

Hello !

I occasionally buy scrap/used jewelry if it has a good price and I'm looking for a device that tests it accurately and fast. I've done some research and I've come to the conclusion that for jewelry the Kee Gold Tester is the best considering a budget of a few hundred dollars. Buying from the website that sells the Sigma in the US gets pretty expensive due to shipping and VAT. I've found this product with a better deal  and cheaper shipping here:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/electronic-Kee-Gold-Tester-with-Pen_50039500710.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.0.0.5c286a5cqLWKfH .

I know there is this option in the UK too: https://www.quicktest.co.uk/acatalog/Kee-test-KEE.html#SID=404 , but it's pretty expensive. 

It says 100+ for 225$, but sometime earlier today I saw 20+ gives you the same discount....Anyway, I'm sure that for a larger order, the price would be good.

So..If we can get a group order together we might negotiate a good discount. 

However, if we decide to go forward with this, it would go as follows:

1. The import must be done in an EU country, we'll see who has the lowest tax - I'm almost completely sure that in Romania we would pay only 19% VAT on it. And worst case scenario maybe an import tax if the order is large of maximum 5%.

2. We would ship the items individually to each of the members of the group - for example, from Romania to Uk, cost would be about 12-14 GBP.

So, anyone interested in this ?

If anyone knows a dealer in the EU that sells this with a decent price please advise. 

Videos about the machine itself and how it works:

https://buysigmametalytics.com/products/kee-gold-tester-model-m-509gm

https://buysigmametalytics.com/p/kee-gold-tester-videos

[Prophecy]

I'm down

[Prophecy]

@GoldenPhil This seems up your street.

[GoldenPhil]

Cheers. 

In principle I will certainly say yes. But please check back with me before pulling the trigger.

 

[sovereignsteve]

8 hours ago, werewolf said:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/electronic-Kee-Gold-Tester-with-Pen_50039500710.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.0.0.5c286a5cqLWKfH .

I know there is this option in the UK too: https://www.quicktest.co.uk/acatalog/Kee-test-KEE.html#SID=404 , but it's pretty expensive. 

It uses replaceable probes so it is safe to assume they wear out. Can we assume there will always be a supply of replacement tips? and at what cost? How long do they last?

It also says in the blurb that the sample needs to be filed first to remove any possible plating and surface contamination. OK for junk jewellery but coins? 😟

[Prophecy]

 

[Prophecy]

Defo wouldn't use on a coin, Sigma for that. 

[werewolf]

9 hours ago, sovereignsteve said:

It uses replaceable probes so it is safe to assume they wear out. Can we assume there will always be a supply of replacement tips? and at what cost? How long do they last?

It also says in the blurb that the sample needs to be filed first to remove any possible plating and surface contamination. OK for junk jewellery but coins? 😟

Yes. The biggest (and only one I think) downside to this machine is that the pen does wear out after a number of uses. It is 50 GBP for easy replacement in the UK. https://www.quicktest.co.uk/acatalog/Replacement-probe-for-Kee-gold-tester-Probe_kee.html#SID=406 .  And 50-60 USD in USA.

FEATURES

- Tests gold from 8K to 24K (that includes 9ct, the scale is marked "10K" because it's American)
· Simple analogue meter, good reliability
· Simply touch pen probe to the item (must be filed first) result is shown in two or three seconds
· Easy calibration with a sample of 18ct (you cannot use the tester without this) + a sample of 22ct gold if you want to test 20ct to 24ct accurately
· Replaceable pen probe provides up to 1000 tests (in practice 3 to 4 months of heavy use)
· Powered by one AA battery (will last many months providing you remember to turn it off after use)
 

The Kee is not intended for use on coins, it is for jewelry. For coins, we have the Sigma thread 🙂

Filing used jewelry is not really something very destructive. It's about buying used gold items so those items will most definitely have other wear marks worse than a file mark for testing with the Kee.

 

[GoldenPhil]

Watching the video it seems to be quite annoying to use. Not so sure now. Maybe not for me. 

[werewolf]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kee-Gold-and-Platinum-Tester-Upgraded-Model-M-509GM-Includes-Carrying-Case-/112856331882?&epid=12031733801&hash=item1a46c2f66a:g:i5AAAOSwkRhZWppE&autorefresh=true

It's on ebay too, we can make the offer here for those that are interested. I've made a low-ball of 225 for 1 piece, it was declined 🙂.

[werewolf]

4 minutes ago, GoldenPhil said:

Watching the video it seems to be quite annoying to use. Not so sure now. Maybe not for me. 

Not nearly as annoying and messy as an acid test  🙂. I had almost mistaken 18 k gold for 14 or fake using acid. And the acid test requires even more damage on the item due to rubbing on the stone or leaving stains on it if applied directly (depending on method). Don't get me wrong, price vs reliability acid is king (especially when you build experience using it) , but still..I find the Kee more elegant. 

[GoldenPhil]

Maybe. I guess it depends how low we can get the price. 

[Prophecy]

I know a lot of jewellery and pawn shops in the states have one