The White (9ct) Bottle

Name: in the Troytest this is known as 'White Fluid', in the Quicktest set it is known as the "9ct bottle". It is the same fluid.

Appearance: the bottle is labelled WHITE FLUID (9ct), the fluid is clear.

Purpose: to tell if a metal is not gold, or if it is 9ct, or if it is better than 9ct. If it is better than 9ct it won't tell you what it is, you must move on to the 14-24ct bottle.

The Amber (silver) Bottle

Name: in the Troytest sets this is known as 'Amber Fluid', in Quicktest set it is known as the 'silver bottle', it is the same fluid.

Appearance: the bottle is labelled AMBER FLUID (silver), the top of the lid has a red dot, the colour of the fluid is amber.

Purpose: to tell if a white metal is silver, typically .925, though there's a slight reaction on .800

The Blue (14-24ct ) Bottle

Name: In the Troytest sets this is known as 'Blue Fluid'. In the Quicktest set this is known as the "14ct to 22ct bottle" or the "High carat bottle". It is the same fluid.

Appearance: the bottle is labelled BLUE FLUID (14-24ct), the top of the lid has a blue dot, the fluid varies from light yellow to deep yellow.

Purpose: tests for 14 to 24ct. It is also used in combination with the GREEN fluid to distinguish WHITE gold from steel and platinum.

Tip: this fluid is to test from 14 to 24ct having first used the 9ct fluid to test for 9ct / non-gold.

The Green (platinum) Bottle

Name: Green fluid (Troytest sets only)

Appearance: the bottle is labelled GREEN FLUID, the top of the lid has a green dot, the fluid is clear.

Purpose: to distinguish 18ct WHITE gold from stainless steel, the implication being that if it is neither, it MIGHT be platinum (unlike the other tests, this is not a 'positive' test). Most people call this the 'Platinum' bottle. At the same time (whilst distinguishing white gold from steel or platinum) it will tell you if the metal is 14ct or 18ct. HOWEVER, all these tests must be done in conjunction with the BLUE fluid, this (Green) bottle cannot be used on its own. None of this is necessary for testing yellow metals, this is only to distinguish WHITE gold from steel or platinum.

TIP: if the metal is magnetic or if, when you file the item, you can feel that the metal is hard (as hard as the steel file) - it cannot possibly be gold or silver or platinum, there is no need to use acid. (But being magnetic does not mean it's steel, some steel is not magnetic).

The Clear (high-zinc 9ct) Bottle

Name: Clear Fluid or Base Fluid (Troytest sets only)

Appearance: the bottle is labelled CLEAR FLUID (8-9ct), the top of the bottle cap has a brown dot, the fluid is clear.

Purpose: to distinguish a particular 9ct alloy that contains a high level of zinc from 'standard' 9ct, and at the same time to give an indication of very low-grade gold such as 8ct.

Tip: this is not an easy fluid to use and should not be used in place of the standard 9ct bottle. Also, since the high-zinc alloy is quite recent, all items should be hallmarked, so test the hallmark link, check that the remainder of the item has the same reaction, if in doubt check against a piece of copper, only if there is still doubt need you use this bottle.