I just bought a Sigma TODAY!!!! I'm looking forward to getting it into use! THIS VIDEO has been more informative than most others that I've seen. THANK YOU!!!
I bought mine few years ago and it's been a great investment. It gives me a peace of mind knowing my gold and silver is what it supposed to be. By the way try using the wand on your silver kit cat bar. You can check different areas on the bar for more accurate readings.
Hey, Nice to come and visit with you again. Another of your subs brought me back here once again. It is great to hear that kind voice of yours again my friend. I still use the CCT slide and of course the Specific gravity test for most of my purchases. Sophie sends her love, LOL. OOPS, I almost said your proper name. This old thing is getting old eh, LOL.
Most of my stuff has come from reputable dealers and some from reputable people on the silver forum but never buy from eBay or other auctions , it's too much of a risk for me. I do test using scales calipers it helps buying coins rather than bars as been more detailed harder to fake and keep to spec .
That small piece you need to use one of the small wands to get a accurate reading. The thick KitKat you need to use the bullion wand. Anything thicker than a 10 oz bar you need to use the bullion wand.
Have you tested this for Gold vs Gold-plated-tungsten? I heard it cannot detect Tungsten if its more than 0.4 mm deep to the gold (like tungsten gold plated maples)
@@BackyardBullion ok well thank you for the reply! I have heard that ultrasound may be the more reliable way. I use a density machine at work but the density is so close that it really isn’t 100% foolproof 100% of the time
This is why I stick to sovereign bullion coins. 1 oz, minted by any govt... I use my Sigma as the first test, then weight, then dimensions. Those three typically will flush out bad coins.
Sigma Metalytics also sells a more advanced model known as the Sigma Metalytics Precious Metals Verifier PRO which can measure the resistivity with deeper penetration as well as the density of the object. These are definite improvements over their original model of the Sigma Metalytics Precious Metals Verifier.
Try the 90% setting on the bar and see what that say's. I bought 1 before and found out later they had melted down 90% no date Merc dimes to make the piece.
I have wanted to get a Sigma since the day I first saw one. Fakes can get by even in the supply lines of well trusted suppliers. SGB sold me a 10 ozt used/pre-owned bar I was making shot from that had a copperish hue appear on the beads. As I had changed the bar they wouldn't replace it. It was 10 % copper that was later tested on 3 of these machines at a coin show. I have never been back to them since. Now I have a CCT slide the Ping and do a Specific Gravity/Weight test when I am in doubt. It is too bad destructive testing is the most accurate way of all the tests. Hallmarking should really be a universal thing. That would stop the Chinese knock off trade in it's tracks. Many good/honest folks get hurt through their own ignorance. Thanks a bunch old friend. Take care and a big hello/hug to your Mrs.
@@luchacefox259 Our Maples are another one along with Australian Roo's. I had a friend bring by his 800K inheritance to check out. A quick visual and a few specific gravity tests and what a bomb to have to tell anyone it was all fake.
Nice machine. Have thought of buying one myself. One should note its limitations though. It works by determining the electrical conductivity of the test piece - most people do not realize that. As you noticed there's a multitude of especially 90% silver options. How could that be? sure all must be equal - not so fast. Today precious metals are highly refined with only the tiniest trace of other metals. So for 90% silver 90,0% is silver and for all practical purposes 10,0% is copper and an ever so slightly amount of something else in such tiny amount that it's only worth bothering about if using it to make computerchips or similar. That something else is of high importance when it comes to condictivity. Change just 0,1% of the copper for other base metals and you still have your promised 90.0% silver but it's conductivity will be "much" different from modern highly refined metals. It all comes down to quantum mechanics. An alloy's physical properties are not liniear with it's contents. That goes for conductivity but also other properties such as malleablility, melting point and so on. So the test is not a definite answer but in combination with other tests, dimensions, weight, magnetics, ping it is a very strong tool. Just don't trust it to be able to figure out purity of an unknown piece - really it can't - there can be many alloys that match the expected electric conductivity for what alloy you ask it to test for - at least if not pure silver (pure silver is best conductor there is beside super conductors).
G’Day. Yeah about the KitKat bar. There maybe some air bubbles trapped inside. SB bullion had an issue with a Perth mint KILO Gold bar and sent it back and they cut it in half...air bubbles. Also try the bullion wand; it reaches down about 4mm. The XRF is more superficial.
Did you test with the wand or wands? Sometimes it makes a big difference beacuse of the texture and weight of the bars. The bullion wand specially for larger bullion bars penetrates deeper and you'd get a more accurate and reliable reading than ust place them on the machine. Just got this same Sigma machine btw and I love it. It's not perfect but it's pretty accurate and it gett the job done and if not 100% sure on any piece then as you say you can use the weight, magnet and diamensions tests also.
I had the exact same thoughts, came to the same conclucions and also bougtht one (Firm Zetberg). Maybe you could also show the way you use the wands for small stuff? (I think the bar could be pure silver but doesnt fit the circle of the tester, try the wand?)
The issue for me is it is selling around 1100 usd here in the usa... I am not sure if I am willing to throw that kind of money around. I was thinking to go to a local coin shop and see if they think my gold is real haha.
I think you have to cover the whole circle on the sensor to get a valid measurement. You can see that it gives some off reading earlier in the video where the coin goes off the circle but still covers the illuminated dot. If that is the case the measurements of your big bar and the small poured piece are not valid. You should use the wand do measure them instead. If you measure in a wrong way your results are useless.
I've seen bars like the Stirling silver bar for sale on eBay as well with no hale marks it's always put me off buying them my question is how easy would it be to sell that bar as it has not been hallmarked would you just have to sell it as scrap
You can usually tell just by looking at a bar if it is silver and just assume that it is probably melted coins or sterling since thats mostly whats out there to melt. Never buy a poured bar as .999 unless the seller is a refiner.
Before I watch. My Guesses. at .22 sec the 1926 peace dollar in the middle and the trade dollar. maybe the peace dollar next to the trade dollar. Note: clad coins will test as silver on the sigma. I have also had 2.5g and 5g fake Pamp bars test as real on it. you need to try the wand attachment on the bar, I bet the bar moves to the middle with the medium or small wand.
For myself on gold or silver bars no hallmark no buy ! occasionally allso like to buy sterling silver antiqe medals or medallions for my own collection again no hallmark no buy !. Good work, good video thanks BYB..
I also do not buy any poured silver that is not hallmarked any more. The odd piece from a reputable source in the US, maybe but otherwise its hallmarks all the way for me.
I’ve never understood keeping anything other than pure gold chain now that technology has given better options to hedge since 2008. Chain is easy to seperate, easy to travel with, easy to verify. Other than speculating for collectors is there a point to coins or bars?
If you think Bitcoin is a hedge your a fool. It could be taken from you in a nano second unlike coins and bars you are not in control of anything digital. Thats why people still like them. I like chains to but they are alot easier to fake than pre 1932 gold coins.
I'm with you on the chain but I was trying to pull a tree stump out with my tractor using a length of 1" solid gold chain and the chain just spread under load so I had to get some 90% gold from the garage to do the job.
Yes test on the 900 silver pre 1900 setting the .500 silver pre 47 coins will show up at the far right hand corner of the screen outside the brackets. Quite a few of the 1920 to 1927 coins show inside the brackets about 15 coins in every 100 coins tested so they are a higher grade of silver 🤑John
"An extra string in the bow"...? First time I've heard that one. I think the saying is much more along the lines of... "Another arrow in the quiver." But who the hell am I?
Great to finally.learn about these..I'm used to rambling at the end but this will well dispersed geekery lol Genunicity well be in my next email out from the office lol
I recently tested a gold bar I bought in 2014 from provident metals. It turned out to be fake. Test your stack! You don’t want to be thinking your stuff is good just because you bought it from some so called reputable dealer.
@@BackyardBullion It’s exactly the same as food ! If it has been processed, you don’t know what is in it and unless you have equipment like TheHealthRanger Mike Adams you never will ! How about just dealing with nuggets straight out of the ground !
Before watching, I'm going to guess that one of those peace dollars is China made. Also, something doesn't look quite right with that Sunshine round. And my last guess is that center piece with the indented piece in the middle. Too easy to fill that with lead.
@@BackyardBullion Peace of mind has value, too. In fact, the enjoyment of testing and seeing your metals are as-sold also has value. If you enjoy it then it was worth buying.
@@BackyardBullion I didn't mind watching the whole thing; it was a good video and thanks for sharing it. I would just like to say, though, that feedback is a gift.
I just bought a Sigma TODAY!!!! I'm looking forward to getting it into use! THIS VIDEO has been more informative than most others that I've seen. THANK YOU!!!
Awesome stuff!
I bought mine few years ago and it's been a great investment. It gives me a peace of mind knowing my gold and silver is what it supposed to be. By the way try using the wand on your silver kit cat bar. You can check different areas on the bar for more accurate readings.
Great to hear, thanks for the tips - I will go and test that bar with the wand again.
Hey, Nice to come and visit with you again. Another of your subs brought me back here once again. It is great to hear that kind voice of yours again my friend. I still use the CCT slide and of course the Specific gravity test for most of my purchases. Sophie sends her love, LOL. OOPS, I almost said your proper name. This old thing is getting old eh, LOL.
Most of my stuff has come from reputable dealers and some from reputable people on the silver forum but never buy from eBay or other auctions , it's too much of a risk for me. I do test using scales calipers it helps buying coins rather than bars as been more detailed harder to fake and keep to spec .
I agree that ebay is just a minefield, as is buying unhallmarked poured silver.
Find a reputable seller and you should be okay. And dont buy and weird silver or gold blobs.
I do buy from ebay or from bullion dealers with 99% or higher... pretty safe bet especially if its a common bar or coin
I ordered the Mini Pro and am waiting. I'm a little nervous about the gold coins I bought years ago being ok.
That small piece you need to use one of the small wands to get a accurate reading. The thick KitKat you need to use the bullion wand. Anything thicker than a 10 oz bar you need to use the bullion wand.
Have you tested this for Gold vs Gold-plated-tungsten? I heard it cannot detect Tungsten if its more than 0.4 mm deep to the gold (like tungsten gold plated maples)
I have not done that test, no.
@@BackyardBullion ok well thank you for the reply! I have heard that ultrasound may be the more reliable way. I use a density machine at work but the density is so close that it really isn’t 100% foolproof 100% of the time
This is why I stick to sovereign bullion coins. 1 oz, minted by any govt... I use my Sigma as the first test, then weight, then dimensions. Those three typically will flush out bad coins.
If true then that is a major flaw...
thanks for the shout out at 14:45. god bless u bro. didnt expect that lol. good product. a little pricy for me.
Price is OUCHY. But could pay for itself over time. Especially important if you deal with multiple sources without full accreditation.
Sigma Metalytics also sells a more advanced model known as the Sigma Metalytics Precious Metals Verifier PRO which can measure the resistivity with deeper penetration as well as the density of the object. These are definite improvements over their original model of the Sigma Metalytics Precious Metals Verifier.
Try the 90% setting on the bar and see what that say's. I bought 1 before and found out later they had melted down 90% no date Merc dimes to make the piece.
I have wanted to get a Sigma since the day I first saw one. Fakes can get by even in the supply lines of well trusted suppliers. SGB sold me a 10 ozt used/pre-owned bar I was making shot from that had a copperish hue appear on the beads. As I had changed the bar they wouldn't replace it. It was 10 % copper that was later tested on 3 of these machines at a coin show. I have never been back to them since. Now I have a CCT slide the Ping and do a Specific Gravity/Weight test when I am in doubt. It is too bad destructive testing is the most accurate way of all the tests. Hallmarking should really be a universal thing. That would stop the Chinese knock off trade in it's tracks. Many good/honest folks get hurt through their own ignorance. Thanks a bunch old friend. Take care and a big hello/hug to your Mrs.
Yeah, they are very good pieces of kit. Sadly it is too hard to get fake silver even from a dealer.
@@BackyardBullion I have a friend with all kinds of fake Suisse bars and Maples (Both in gold)
@@TomokosEnterprize F
@@TomokosEnterprize Credit Suisse fake bars are EEVVVVVRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYWHERE. Buy Pre 1932 coins they are impossible to make good fakes of.
@@luchacefox259 Our Maples are another one along with Australian Roo's. I had a friend bring by his 800K inheritance to check out. A quick visual and a few specific gravity tests and what a bomb to have to tell anyone it was all fake.
Nice machine. Have thought of buying one myself.
One should note its limitations though. It works by determining the electrical conductivity of the test piece - most people do not realize that.
As you noticed there's a multitude of especially 90% silver options. How could that be? sure all must be equal - not so fast. Today precious metals are highly refined with only the tiniest trace of other metals. So for 90% silver 90,0% is silver and for all practical purposes 10,0% is copper and an ever so slightly amount of something else in such tiny amount that it's only worth bothering about if using it to make computerchips or similar. That something else is of high importance when it comes to condictivity. Change just 0,1% of the copper for other base metals and you still have your promised 90.0% silver but it's conductivity will be "much" different from modern highly refined metals. It all comes down to quantum mechanics. An alloy's physical properties are not liniear with it's contents. That goes for conductivity but also other properties such as malleablility, melting point and so on.
So the test is not a definite answer but in combination with other tests, dimensions, weight, magnetics, ping it is a very strong tool. Just don't trust it to be able to figure out purity of an unknown piece - really it can't - there can be many alloys that match the expected electric conductivity for what alloy you ask it to test for - at least if not pure silver (pure silver is best conductor there is beside super conductors).
Great explanation! An XRF machine is the way to go, but at $18,000, too rich for my blood!
would the latest version of this machine be worth getting?
So is this bar 12:00 between 92.5% - 96% silver? The rest % would be made up of other contents?
Most likely copper.
G’Day. Yeah about the KitKat bar. There maybe some air bubbles trapped inside. SB bullion had an issue with a Perth mint KILO Gold bar and sent it back and they cut it in half...air bubbles. Also try the bullion wand; it reaches down about 4mm. The XRF is more superficial.
Did you test with the wand or wands? Sometimes it makes a big difference beacuse of the texture and weight of the bars. The bullion wand specially for larger bullion bars penetrates deeper and you'd get a more accurate and reliable reading than ust place them on the machine. Just got this same Sigma machine btw and I love it. It's not perfect but it's pretty accurate and it gett the job done and if not 100% sure on any piece then as you say you can use the weight, magnet and diamensions tests also.
I have a scale, micrometer calipers, the ping testing app and last week received my pocket pinger and stack stick
I had the exact same thoughts, came to the same conclucions and also bougtht one (Firm Zetberg).
Maybe you could also show the way you use the wands for small stuff? (I think the bar could be pure silver but doesnt fit the circle of the tester, try the wand?)
The issue for me is it is selling around 1100 usd here in the usa... I am not sure if I am willing to throw that kind of money around. I was thinking to go to a local coin shop and see if they think my gold is real haha.
Did you buy the 999 or 1049 euro model ? I don't really see the difference between the 2 types ...
I think you have to cover the whole circle on the sensor to get a valid measurement. You can see that it gives some off reading earlier in the video where the coin goes off the circle but still covers the illuminated dot. If that is the case the measurements of your big bar and the small poured piece are not valid. You should use the wand do measure them instead. If you measure in a wrong way your results are useless.
Those machines are awesome
Hi! Does it test silver rings? Thanks!
Best way to find out if it's real silver put an ice cube on it, and if it's real silver it'll melt the ice cube really fast
What’s the high level of stacking?
I've seen bars like the Stirling silver bar for sale on eBay as well with no hale marks it's always put me off buying them my question is how easy would it be to sell that bar as it has not been hallmarked would you just have to sell it as scrap
You can usually tell just by looking at a bar if it is silver and just assume that it is probably melted coins or sterling since thats mostly whats out there to melt. Never buy a poured bar as .999 unless the seller is a refiner.
Great video, can test 18ct and 9ct?
The curser looks different than mine, my curser is solid black
Yeah, i have seen both designs come out - I think it is just simply a slight difference in programing.
Before I watch. My Guesses. at .22 sec the 1926 peace dollar in the middle and the trade dollar. maybe the peace dollar next to the trade dollar. Note: clad coins will test as silver on the sigma. I have also had 2.5g and 5g fake Pamp bars test as real on it. you need to try the wand attachment on the bar, I bet the bar moves to the middle with the medium or small wand.
Sunshine mint, 26 peace dollar , and the trade dollar.
Good guesses, but only 1 out of 3!
Was waiting for you to buy one of these
They are good pieces of kit for sure!
Been wanting to get one myself for a while now. Unfortunately official website here in the USA has been sold out for months.
U been waiting for a few months for your!? Luky both my one beginning 2019 ...a bit cheaper than today prices!
I am getting mine this Friday!
Nice, glad to hear it!
what reading did you get on that atlantis mint bar?
Perfect 999
For myself on gold or silver bars no hallmark no buy ! occasionally allso like to buy sterling silver antiqe medals or medallions for my own collection again no hallmark no buy !. Good work, good video thanks BYB..
I also do not buy any poured silver that is not hallmarked any more. The odd piece from a reputable source in the US, maybe but otherwise its hallmarks all the way for me.
I’ve never understood keeping anything other than pure gold chain now that technology has given better options to hedge since 2008. Chain is easy to seperate, easy to travel with, easy to verify.
Other than speculating for collectors is there a point to coins or bars?
If you think Bitcoin is a hedge your a fool. It could be taken from you in a nano second unlike coins and bars you are not in control of anything digital. Thats why people still like them. I like chains to but they are alot easier to fake than pre 1932 gold coins.
I'm with you on the chain but I was trying to pull a tree stump out with my tractor using a length of 1" solid gold chain and the chain just spread under load so I had to get some 90% gold from the garage to do the job.
Going to offer a testing service?
Can do, if anyone wants it!
sometimes you need to use the wand for uneven bars like that big one.
Can you use these Sigma machines to test 50% junk silver?
I believe the lowest they can test is the 80% Canadian silver.
@@BackyardBullion Oh ok thanks for letting me know.
Yes test on the 900 silver pre 1900 setting the .500 silver pre 47 coins will show up at the far right hand corner of the screen outside the brackets. Quite a few of the 1920 to 1927 coins show inside the brackets about 15 coins in every 100 coins tested so they are a higher grade of silver 🤑John
On pieces small than the black ring on sigma machine. Use the wands.
got one myself ... try to use those wands to confirm that eBay poured bar ... good luck 👍
Thanks my friend, I will try!
@@BackyardBullion e-e-e-excellent
be handy to test unmarked gold / silver jewelry, cutlery and other items
Most probably are the Peace dollars.
But I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the Sigma
Thx! I love when u do longer videos!
Glad you like them!
"An extra string in the bow"...?
First time I've heard that one.
I think the saying is much more along the lines of...
"Another arrow in the quiver."
But who the hell am I?
You should not test a coin that is smaller than the circle on your sigma. Please use the small wand for this things,
OK - thanks for the tip.
Anybody got issue with 0.9999 gold britannias in ping app?
Not a fan of the ping ap, it's very inaccurate
Once you get below 90% silver, the identity of the other 10(+)% will start to have significant effects.
Yes indeed, it is very inaccurate.
If you ever get a a chance, try testing a 1955 Canadian silver dollar.
I've got the updated version.
Great to finally.learn about these..I'm used to rambling at the end but this will well dispersed geekery lol
Genunicity well be in my next email out from the office lol
GREAT VIDEO MAN, GOOD INFO FOR SURE...
Glad it was helpful!
I recently tested a gold bar I bought in 2014 from provident metals. It turned out to be fake. Test your stack! You don’t want to be thinking your stuff is good just because you bought it from some so called reputable dealer.
Great product!! 👍🏽🤩
I'll say the big silver round and gold bar and the small silver round sitting on the gold bar all these are front bottom are questionable
ONE IS THAT TRADE DOLLER?
Hi,
Love that machine.. Could you do a video of some trusted eBay selling pages that you would recommend.
Thank you
To be totally honest I don't trust or buy anything from eBay any more so I would not be able to help with any recommendations!
Ever tried a goldback been interested to see if it works or how many you need together to show gold
I would imagine that would not register.
Thanks for your video. Very interesting!
Glad you enjoyed it!
If it looks like wood, smells like wood and burns like wood, it’s probably wood ! Damn site cheaper than checking precious metals !
Well, yes there are a lot cheaper ways to test things for sure.
@@BackyardBullion It’s exactly the same as food ! If it has been processed, you don’t know what is in it and unless you have equipment like TheHealthRanger Mike Adams you never will ! How about just dealing with nuggets straight out of the ground !
I guessed all three correctly, do I get a brownie point?
Always my friend, always!
The higher silver/gold go, the more important it will be to have one
Sorry I missed the live stream!
No worries buddy!
I don't bother with trying to buy the US silver dollar coins anymore. There are way too many fakes of those running around for some reason.
Before watching, I'm going to guess that one of those peace dollars is China made. Also, something doesn't look quite right with that Sunshine round. And my last guess is that center piece with the indented piece in the middle. Too easy to fill that with lead.
Looks like I got them all wrong.
The Sigma Pro is even better
I buy grams of gold, only way I can afford gold. Silver I am able to buy 10 oz a month.
You need a pro bro! It has a add on just for bars 😛😛😛😛🤓🤓🤓
Bit too rich for my needs - but if you want to buy me one I won't complain :-)
SAVING FOR ONE EVEN THO I ONLY BUY FROM DEALERS
Its a good tool to have, but how good in terms of monetary investment only time will tell.
@@BackyardBullion Peace of mind has value, too. In fact, the enjoyment of testing and seeing your metals are as-sold also has value. If you enjoy it then it was worth buying.
👍👍
spent more time selling than testing
Literally didn't but hey, you do you Buddy, well done.
Algorithm
1st
Thanks my friend!
God. Get to the point ....
Maybe, have some patience?
@@BackyardBullion I didn't mind watching the whole thing; it was a good video and thanks for sharing it. I would just like to say, though, that feedback is a gift.
Nice 👌
Thank you! Cheers!