Best Legal for Trade Jewelry Scale: NTEP Class II Gold and Jewelry Scales
Short answer: a legal for trade jewelry scale is one with an NTEP Certificate of Conformance in accuracy Class II, the class used for precious metals and gems, placed in service under your state rules. Our picks: the A&D EK-1200i (1200 g x 0.1 g, Class II) for gold buyers and pawn counters, the A&D FX-120iN (122 g, e = 0.01 g) for small jewelry and gems, and the A&D FX-3000iN (3200 g x 0.01 g) for bullion and large lots.
If you buy or sell gold, silver, platinum or gems by weight, the scale on your counter is a commercial weighing device. It needs to be NTEP certified for that use and placed in service, and it has to stay accurate. MNM Scales is an authorized A&D dealer and one of the largest scale distributors in the country, with over 30 years in business, and jewelers, gold buyers, pawn shops and coin dealers buy their legal-for-trade scales from us every day. This guide explains what to look for, then gives our picks by capacity. For the background on certification, read what NTEP means.
What makes a jewelry scale legal for trade
- NTEP Certificate of Conformance (CC): the exact model is listed on an NTEP CC. Look for “NTEP” or an “N” model (for example FX-120iN versus FX-120i).
- Accuracy Class II: NIST Handbook 44 uses Class II for precious metals and gem weighing. Every scale in our picks below is Class II. The same Class II balances are popular at dispensary counters; see our best scale for cannabis dispensaries guide.
- The certified division (e): this is the step you can legally charge by. On the FX-120iN it is 0.01 g even though the display shows 0.001 g; on the EK-1200i it is 0.1 g. NIST Handbook 44 recommends a minimum load of 20 e on Class II scales with e from 0.001 g to 0.05 g, and 50 e when e is 0.1 g or more: that is 0.2 g at e = 0.01 g and 5 g at e = 0.1 g. Some states also set a maximum e for precious metals; Minnesota, for example, requires e of 0.01 g or less.
- Trade units: the FX-iN series is certified for grams, ounces, pounds, troy ounces, carats and pennyweight.
- Placed in service: in Texas, a commercial scale must be inspected and placed in service. MNM Scales’ TDA-licensed registered technicians can inspect and place scales in service (see our RWM-780 guide).
Our picks: the best legal for trade jewelry scale for each job
| Scale | Capacity x readability | Certified division (e) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&D FX-120iN | 122 g x 0.001 g | 0.01 g | Rings, chains and gems; highest resolution for small items |
| A&D FX-200iN | 220 g x 0.001 g | 0.01 g | Larger pieces and small lots |
| A&D FX-323N | 320 g x 0.001 g | 0.01 g | Replacement for the FX-300iN; scrap and estate lots |
| A&D EK-1200i | 1200 g x 0.1 g | 0.1 g | Gold buying and pawn counters; our most popular jewelry scale |
| A&D FX-1200iN | 1220 g x 0.01 g | Class II (CC 08-045) | Scrap gold and silver at a finer step than 0.1 g |
| A&D FX-3000iN | 3200 g x 0.01 g | Class II (CC 08-045) | Bullion, silver and large lots |
| A&D GF-3002AN Apollo | 3200 g x 0.01 g | 0.1 g | Large lots, with USB and password protection |
| A&D EK-12Ki | 12,000 g x 1 g | Class II | Bulk silver and coin bags |
A&D EK-1200i: the gold buyer’s counter scale
The EK-1200i is NTEP Class II (CC 04-019, e = 0.1 g) and weighs up to 1200 g in 0.1 g steps. It has a low-profile metal housing, a 133 x 170 mm stainless steel pan, a sealed key panel that keeps out dust and spills, and a 16 mm backlit LCD. Nine weighing units, parts counting, percent weighing and a HI/OK/LO comparator are built in, and the RS-232C port connects to a printer or PC. A rechargeable battery pack is available as an option (not included). Our EK-1200i calibration guide covers keeping it accurate.
A&D FX-iN: milligram display, Class II certified
The FX-120iN, FX-200iN and FX-3000iN use A&D’s Compact Super Hybrid Sensor, which settles in about one second, so they keep up at a busy counter. In NTEP mode you can choose e = 10d (the display shows one more digit, marked as non-certified) or e = d (the display reads directly in the certified step). Many jewelers prefer e = d, because the number on the display is the number they can charge for. See our FX-120i vs FX-120iN vs FX-300i comparison for how the trade modes work, and our FX-300iN replacement guide for the FX-323N.
How to choose capacity and readability
- Find your heaviest lot. Add the tray or cup you weigh in. Pick a capacity comfortably above it.
- Check the certified division. If you price by 0.01 g, choose an FX-iN or FX-323N (e = 0.01 g on the 122 to 320 g models). If 0.1 g is fine for your lots, the EK-1200i or GF-3002AN works well (the GF-3002AN replaces the GF-3000N; see our GX-4000 and GF-3000 replacement guide).
- Think about the counter. A sealed keypad, backlit display and RS-232C or USB output for a printer or point-of-sale system make busy counters faster.
- Plan for calibration. Keep a calibration weight on hand to check the scale (see our calibration weights), and schedule a calibration with a certificate.
Calibration and placing your jewelry scale in service
Legal-for-trade scales should be checked regularly and calibrated at least once a year. MNM Scales calibrates jewelry and gold scales with in-house or NIST-traceable certificates (learn the difference in in-house vs NIST certificates). We are TDA licensed with registered technicians. Mail-in calibration usually takes 1 to 3 business days nationwide. Choose the tier by your scale’s maximum capacity:
Up to 2.2 kg (FX-120iN, FX-200iN, FX-323N, EK-1200i, FX-1200iN):
In-house calibration + certificate ($95) NIST calibration + NIST-traceable certificate ($395)
Over 2.2 kg up to 6.2 kg (FX-3000iN, GF-3002AN):
In-house calibration + certificate ($195) NIST calibration + NIST-traceable certificate ($495)
Over 6.2 kg up to 35 kg (EK-12Ki):
In-house calibration + certificate ($250) NIST calibration + NIST-traceable certificate ($595)
Frequently asked questions
What is a legal for trade jewelry scale?
It is a scale whose exact model is listed on an NTEP Certificate of Conformance, in the accuracy class required for the use, and that has been placed in service under your state rules. For precious metals and gems, choose an NTEP Class II scale such as the A&D EK-1200i or FX-120iN.
What accuracy class do I need to weigh gold?
NIST Handbook 44 uses Class II for precious metals and gem weighing. Every scale in our picks is NTEP Class II.
Is the A&D EK-1200i legal for trade?
Yes. The EK-1200i is NTEP Class II under CC 04-019, with 1200 g capacity and a certified division of e = 0.1 g.
What is the best scale for buying scrap gold?
For most gold-buying counters, the A&D EK-1200i (1200 g x 0.1 g, Class II) is our most popular choice. If you price by 0.01 g, choose the FX-1200iN (1220 g x 0.01 g) or, for small items, the FX-120iN.
Can a legal-for-trade scale weigh in pennyweight and troy ounces?
Yes. The FX-iN series is certified for grams, ounces, pounds, troy ounces, carats and pennyweight.
Who can place my jewelry scale in service in Texas?
MNM Scales’ TDA-licensed registered technicians can inspect and place scales in service. Call us to schedule.