Gauge, Metalworking

Object number2014.93.16 a,b

Date1926-1991

MediumMetal/Gold

Credit LineGift of Kenneth R. Bauer

DescriptionGold tester consisting of ring of gold testing needles and gold testing stone. This gold testing method is known as the Touchstone Method for testing purity in karat gold.DimensionsPart a (when closed): Width 1.125, Length 2.5, Depth 0.25;
Part b: Height 0.5, Width 1.5, Length 1.063.
Inscriptions(a)
Each needle has inscribed text near base with corresponding karat of gold of the tip: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.

The "20" needle also has inscribed text "STANDARD".

(b)
Next to some of the testing marks are small numbers indicating the karat value.
Historical NotesPart of a collection of jeweler's tools that belonged to donor Kenneth R. Bauer's father Ed Bauer. Ed Bauer was born in 1910 and lived in Brentwood and Mount Oliver boroughs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ed began working for the I. Eiseman and Sons Jewelers at age 16 in 1926. The company was located in the Fulton building but eventually moved to the Clark building. Bauer bought the company in 1936 with a Mr. Mutschler, and they ran it together until 1966 under the name Bauer & Mutschler Jewelry Manufacturing Company. That year Bauer bought out Mutschler and renamed the company F. J. Bauer Company and ran it until 1975. That year the donor bought the company and owned it until 1992. Bauer contracted with local jewelry retail businesses and repaired the jewelry that could not be fixed in-house. Ed Bauer continued to work for the company until 1991.

Previous owner Ed Bauer (born 1910)

Related institution F. J. Bauer Company

Related institution I. Eiseman and Sons Jewelers

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