Quickly, safely and accurately buy and appraise gold and platinum with confidence.
The Auracle AGT-1 is a breakthrough in gold testing due to its speed, accuracy and simplicity. Unlike other testers whose accuracy is dependent upon complicated testing instructions, preparation procedures, cleaning or refrigeration, the Auracle indicates karat value within a second by simply touching the test object with the probe. There are no messy solutions or acids that can stain your clothes or hands or worse, damage the object you’re testing.
The Auracle is lightweight and portable to any venue. It tests all types of gold from 6K to 24K and platinum. Inexpensive to maintain, the replaceable probe lasts up to six months of testing.
You can’t make a mistake with an AURACLE AGT-1.
- World’s most user-friendly, best performing handheld electronic gold tester with unmatched accuracy – PATENTED
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- Tests all colors of gold from 6K to 24K.
- Tests platinum.
- Follow easy steps to identify non-gold, gold plate and gold filled
as NA
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- Immediate test results – no waiting between tests
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- Simply touch pen probe to gold and LED indicates karat
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- Pen probe provides approximately 5,000 tests with proper care
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- No messy gel. No staining chemicals. No dangerous acid.
- Compact and portable - 9V alkaline battery powered
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- Pen probe, battery and easy to follow instructions included.
See Owner's Manual included with unit for comprehensive instructions. You may also view Operational Instructions Video by clicking the "video" tab above.
Tester Start-Up
Warm-Up Time: For best results, allow a 2 minute warm-up time PRIOR to performing the initial calibration of the tester. If using the optional AC adapter, after the AGT1 has warmed up and been calibrated, you may keep the unit turned on with no fear of damaging the electronics and this will allow you to avoid the need for ongoing war up time delays.
Excess Solution: Fresh pen probes may be slightly overfilled when first used and excess solution could come out during the testing process. Simply dab the pen probe tip on a dry paper towel a few times to remedy this.
Test Pen Probe: Prior to calibrating, touch and hold the pen probe tip to the gold testing area. If the LED's do not climb from right to left there may be a problem with the pen probe. If there is a problem, replace the pen and repeat the start-up process.
Calibration Requirement: Failure to use plumb 14K yellow gold to calibrate the AGT1 may illuminate the REPLACE PROBE light and consequently impact the accuracy of the tester. Always file the calibration gold and touch the pen probe to the filed spot. The 14K yellow gold calibration piece must be large enough so that the pen probe tip and solution inside it does not make contact with the testing plate or it will not calibrate properly. The recommended minimum size for the calibration piece is 10mm round. An approved GemOro 14K yellow gold calibration piece is available as an accessory.
Replace Probe Light: Sometimes the REPLACE PROBE light will illuminate when the AGT1 is first turned on and if this occurs, simply calibrate the AGT1 and this will remedy the problem. If not, it is an indication that the pen probe is spent or defective and needs to be replaced.
Testing Metal
Pen Probe to Gold Contact Pressure: It is sufficient to merely make contact with the metal and NOT necessary to apply much pressure.
Quickly Touch Gold and then Remove Pen Probe: When testing gold, once the LED has stabilized and settled on a specific karat, remove the pen probe. If you hold the pen probe on the gold for more than a couple of seconds after it has settled on a karat it can then climb to a higher karat, especially in the higher karat ranges above 18K.
Only Touch Pen Probe Tip to Gold: When testing, only touch the pen probe tip to the metal in question. You may obtain a different karat reading if the side of the pen probe is touched.
Metal Must Be Clean and Dry: If the surface of the metal is wet or has visible dirt that could create a barrier between the pen probe and the metal, you should clean and dry the surface prior to testing for best results. Generally speaking most surface dirt will not interfere with the AGT1's ability to test properly.
Platinum Indication: While platinum will typically register at the LED's labeled PT, oftentimes it will register next to it at the far right end of the spectrum. This is a normal reading for platinum, especially if the platinum has not been filed first before testing.
Always File Gold Before Testing: When buying unknown metals, always file it first to avoid being fooled. Remember, the AGT1 is a surface tester. For best results, and to avoid being fooled by plating, etc. it is critical that you first file down to the underlying metal in every sample being tested, and then test this area. Be aware that stainless steel will sometimes react as karat gold or platinum if not filed first.
Periodic Pen Probe Tip Cleaning: If the REPLACE PROBE light illuminates or if the pen probe tip appears dirty or encrusted with a white residue, clean the pen probe tip by gently wiping it with a dry paper towel. It is normal for the pen probe tip to appear dirty after being used and for it to take on a slight gray color. Avoid testing pieces known to be gold plated to minimize buildup of contaminants on the tip and to prolong useful life of the pen probe tip.
Periodic Re-Calibration: Always use plumb 14K Yellow gold to calibrate the AGT1 and make sure you file the area of the calibration piece prior to performing this function and touch the pen probe tip to the filed area. Testing gold and gold-filled or base metals will cause slight chemical changes in the pen probe. To adjust for this chemical change, the calibration process is needed. To ensure accurate readings, recalibrate the unit from time to time and clean the pen probe tip by wiping with a dry paper towel each time prior to recalibrating.
Effects of Alloys: When alloyed with gold, Copper and Nickel will drive readings downwards while Palladium, Platinum and Silver will drive readings upwards.
The GemOro Auracle WILL NOT WORK if you do not follow these easy steps:
STEP 1: 2-MINUTE WARM UP
- After the batteries are installed and the pen probe is plugged into the unit, turn on the Auracle and allow a 2-minute warm up period PRIOR to calibrating. If a proper warm up time is not given it will not test accurately.
STEP 2: CALIBRATION PROCESS
- Always CALIBRATE the Auracle each time it is turned on and periodically while in use.
- Use ONLY .583 to .585 14K YELLOW GOLD to calibrate. A non-plated/non-flashed piece of 14K yellow gold is the best thing to use.
- FILE a small area on the 14K yellow gold calibration piece and rest it on the testing plate with the filed area facing up.
- Lightly hold the pen probe tip to the filed area on the calibration piece until the reading settles.
- Press the CALIBRATION button once and hold it down until the green light labeled CALIBRATED lights up, and the green light in the center of the 14K range simultaneously lights up. This may require 3-5 calibration times before the calibration locks in. If the center light in the 14K doesn’t light up, it is not calibrated and will not test correctly throughout its range.
- Quickly remove the pen probe from the calibration piece.
STEP 3: RE-CHECK READINESS
- Touch the pen probe tip to the gold again to make sure that your calibration piece now tests correctly in the center of the 14K range. The Auracle is now calibrated and ready to use.
- If it does not test correctly when re-checking, dab the pen tip clean on a dry paper towel and repeat step 2. Trying an alternate piece of 14K yellow gold may also fix the problem.
STEP 4: TESTING METALS
- To test metal, first file a small area on the metal and rest it on the testing plate with the filed area facing up.
- Hold the pen probe tip to the filed area on the metal until the reading settles. Once it settles, check the reading and quickly remove the pen probe from the metal. Remember to recalibrate the Auracle periodically while in use.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE:
REPLACE PROBE LIGHT ON?
Recalibration will typically fix this. Make sure the pen probe felt tip is clean by wiping it with a dry paper towel and then follow the calibration step on #2 of the Quick Start Guide or as listed in the Owner’s Manual.
REGULAR CLEANING
The pen probe contains a special saline solution that is safe, non-acidic, and non-toxic. Remove salt crystal build-up by dabbing and wiping the pen probe felt tip with a clean, dry paper towel. Using a warm, moist paper towel wipe off any salt crystal build-up from the calibration piece and the Auracle testing plate area only. Dry both thoroughly.
FILE ALL METAL BEFORE TESTING
Gold, platinum, gold-plated, gold-filled and tungsten MUST BE FILED before testing to produce accurate results. This is a surface tester and the tester will read gold plated as solid gold if not filed first.
2-MINUTE WARM UP AND CALIBRATION
Each time the Auracle is turned ON allow a minimum 2-MINUTE WARM UP PERIOD PRIOR TO CALIBRATING. The Auracle must always be calibrated before use. It is also necessary to recalibrate periodically while in use to ensure consistent accuracy.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the green LED does not light up in the center of the 14K range, this indicates that the calibration was not successful and the Auracle will not provide accurate test results. If repeated attempts are unsuccessful, it is likely your calibration piece may have a flashing on it or something that makes the reading inconsistent so an alternate calibration piece should be tried. It could also indicate an Auracle circuit board failure or that the pen probe needs to be replaced.
OTHER PRECIOUS METALS:
Tungsten: Be aware that if tungsten isn’t filed first it may test as platinum, but if filed it will test as NA. ALWAYS FILE FIRST!
Rhodium: Be aware that rhodium will react as platinum on the Auracle. It is rarely used as solid finished jewelry, but instead is commonly used as a plating material to make white gold appear whiter. If 14K is plated with rhodium and filed it will test accurately or possibly as a higher karat than marked since it is taking an average reading of the two metals. ALWAYS FILE IT FIRST! If white gold tests higher than marked, it is probably rhodium plated.
Palladium: Be aware that palladium will react as platinum on the Auracle. In the case of palladium being mixed with white gold, testing it will slowly drive the reading up to a higher karat. ALWAYS FILE IT FIRST! If you see a slow rising of the karat to a higher level than marked, it is probably mixed with palladium.
White Gold with High Nickel Content: White gold with high nickel content may test as a lower karat than marked. While it could be under karat gold, it is likely the karat marked.
READ THE COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE AURACLE! |
GemOro Auracle Gold & Platinum Tester
