Practice Test Geeks(CGA) Certified Gemologist Appraiser Practice Test
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Precious Metals & Market Valuation Flashcards

7 cards from real CGA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Precious Metals & Market Valuation flashcards as text

  1. Which acid solution is traditionally used to test gold karat by observing the reaction on a touchstone?

    Answer: Nitric acid at varying concentrations

    Gold testing acids are nitric acid solutions calibrated to specific concentrations that dissolve alloys below certain karats while leaving higher-karat gold unaffected.

  2. The 'bid-ask spread' in precious metals trading refers to:

    Answer: The difference between the buying price and selling price dealers quote

    The bid-ask spread is the margin between what a dealer will pay to buy metal (bid) and the higher price at which they will sell (ask).

  3. Sterling silver is defined as containing what minimum percentage of pure silver?

    Answer: 92.5%

    Sterling silver must contain at least 92.5% pure silver (fineness 925), with the remainder typically copper for added durability.

  4. An appraiser notices that a gold chain loses significant weight after acid etching reveals a base-metal core. This practice is known as:

    Answer: Filled construction or hollow fill fraud

    Fraudulent filled construction involves a base-metal core coated with gold to misrepresent weight and value; acid etching can expose this deception.

  5. When silver prices fall sharply, what typically happens to the appraisal value of an antique sterling flatware set with strong historical provenance?

    Answer: The collectible premium may offset most of the decline in melt value

    For antiques with significant collectible or historical value, the premium above melt value can cushion or offset declines in raw metal spot prices.

  6. What is 'aqua regia' and why is it significant to precious metal testing?

    Answer: A mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold and platinum

    Aqua regia (Latin: 'royal water') is a 3:1 mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids—the only common acid solution that dissolves noble metals like gold and platinum.

  7. A gold piece marked '10K GF' means the item is:

    Answer: Gold-filled with a 10K gold layer mechanically bonded to a base metal

    Gold-filled (GF) items have a layer of 10K gold mechanically bonded (pressure-welded) to a base metal core, representing a much thicker gold layer than plating.