It goes without saying that an accurate scale is the only kind you want in order to track your use of metals and help determine pricing of finished products. This is especially pertinent when weighing smaller items and quantities, or gemstones (remember that one carat is equal to exactly 0.2g, or 200mg).
All digital scales will suffer loss of precision over time, as they take the odd knock being hauled in and out of cupboards and drawers, with general daily use, and environmental factors like too much heat from direct sunlight. Constant weight can also affect the accuracy of readings, so ensure that you’re not stacking objects onto your scale in storage.
Scheduling regular recalibrations is the best way to prolong the scale’s usefulness and overall reliability, as well as to monitor progressive faultiness that may indicate a replacement is needed. The frequency of use will help you determine how often recalibration should be done, and a quick check is to simply place a reference weight onto the scale platform and see if your reading matches the weight’s mass.
You might find tips online about using a range of common household items to calibrate your digital scale, but beware. Water is one such suggestion, but you can’t accurately gauge the weight of the container you’re going to fill by using a scale that needs recalibration in the first place. Without this starting figure, adding the corresponding volume of water to it will result in an incorrect setting, and all proceeding measurements taken will be based off this inaccurate benchmark. Currency coins are another commonly touted item, but the true weight of these fluctuates as they get damaged with use and as residue builds up over time. It’s really best to stick with a professional set of calibration weights for this.
Calibrating your digital jewellery scale in 2 easy steps:
- Prepare the area and have your calibration weight/s handy
Make sure you’ve got a firm, flat and level surface to place the scale on, and that your readings will not be affected by strong drafts – which can be caused by open windows or an air conditioner – or vibrations. While you’re recalibrating, ask your colleagues not to walk past your station if you have a springy wooden floor, and make sure not to bump the desk or counter the scale is sitting on. High humidity can also cause discrepancies. All these tips should also be applied when you’re using your scale on a daily basis.
- Turn on your scale and activate its calibration mode
This will be different from product to product, but if it’s not obvious by the keys and you’ve lost the manual, a quick Google of the make and model will set you right. Place the calibration weight on the scale platform and follow the steps your scale requires to adjust the value on the display until it matches the calibration weight, and to set its new zero point.
You can check that your scale has properly recalibrated by repeating the test with a calibration weight again. If your scale is still showing an incorrect reading of the known mass of your calibration weight after going through the above steps, it’s probably time to buy a new scale.
Regular recalibration only takes a few minutes, and can save you costly errors. In short, make it a habit, and use professional weights!
