Understanding Acid Tests for Brass and Gold: Why No Reaction?

Question
Hi Les,  I am curious about brass items.  I can tell with the scrap test with acid that brass is not gold but when I filed it and then added a drop of acid there was no reaction.  Is this normal?   Thanks, Jim

Answer
jim
yah, the acid will take some time to eat through the plating or other gold items, Im assuming you "filled" it with gold? it will not react with a plating process it thinks its gold,  that is why you must file into the item you are testing, there is also a gold tester which uses much more friendly acid on its tip and safer, from Kassoy Bros. NY
the basic tester is 200.00 fancier ones are 500.00
les