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_400.jpeg "How to Tell if Your Jewelry Is Gold-Plated or Solid Gold")
How to Tell if Your Jewelry Is Gold-Plated or Solid Gold
There are a variety of factors that go into how much a piece of gold jewelry is worth. Depending on who may be evaluating the jewelry, factors such as the jewelry’s condition, brand name, and of course, gold karat weight can all combine to make up the value of your jewelry. Calculating the amount of gold in your item, also known as gold karat weight, can be a little trickier than just weighing your item. Jewelers rarely craft items of pure gold, known as 24 karat gold, and tend to mix in alloys in order to strengthen the piece of jewelry they are making. This can range from 75% (18 karat gold), 58.6% (14 karat gold), to an item just being gold-plated. The best way to find the amount of gold in your item is to get it checked out by professionals; however, there are a few ways you can tell if your jewelry is gold-plated or solid gold, varying from 14 karats to 24 karats.
What Is the Difference Between Solid Gold Jewelry and Gold-Plated Jewelry?
Gold-Plated Jewelry
As the name suggests, gold-plated jewelry is an item made up of non-gold metal and then given a thin coat of gold. The gold coating can vary in the amount of gold as well. Some gold-plated items have a 24 karat gold coating, others 18 karat, and others 14 karat. GoldFellow does not purchase items that are only gold-plated.
Solid Gold Jewelry
Solid gold jewelry does not actually imply that the item is 100% gold. As stated above, jewelers rarely make 24 karat gold pieces but rather mix in alloys to craft items that are 14 karat or 18 karat gold. If you happen to know the karat weight of a few of your items, multiply the actual weight of your item by 0.75 for 18 karat gold or 0.583 for 14 karat gold. That will leave you with a numerical weight of gold. You can use our cash for gold calculator to see how much this is worth.
How to Tell if Your Jewelry Is Gold-Plated
The Scratch Test
While not the best test if you want to keep your item intact, a simple scratch test can give you the answers you are looking for. It essentially involves cutting into your piece with a sharp knife. Gold is quite malleable, so with some pressure, you will be able to cut into it. If you find another different colored, harder metal underneath, you know your item is gold-plated.
An Acid Test
An acid test, similar to a scratch test, will alter your gold jewelry, but in addition to finding if an item is gold-plated, it can also tell you karat weight if your item is solid gold. It involves removing a small sample of the jewelry and placing it in contact with acid. Based on the change in color, you will be able to see the amount of gold present.
Magnet Test
A magnet test is quite simple and won’t cause any harm to your jewelry. It will not give you an accurate idea of the karat weight of your gold item, though it will tell you if your item is 24 karat gold or not. Gold is not magnetic; therefore, if you hold a magnet to it and your item is attracted to it, your item possesses a magnetic metal alloy of some sort and is not 24 karat gold.
Stamps and Markers
One of the most reliable of these tests involves examining your jewelry for stamps and markings made by the jeweler. Not all jewelers stamp their gold but check if your item has the following markings:
GP - Signifies the item is gold-plated
GEP - Signifies the item is gold electroplated
RGP - Signifies the item is rolled gold plate
HGE or HGP - Signifies the item is a heavy gold electroplate
These markings indicate various types of gold plating. If your item possesses any of these markings, then it is gold-plated.
Professional Grading
The most reliable way to differentiate between a gold-plated item and a solid gold item is to get it evaluated by a professional. At GoldFellow, we allow our customers to mail in gold for cash or come in-store to our location in Weston, Florida. Our gold experts will be able to tell you the exact gold weight and value of your item. We grade these items in front of you or over video surveillance for those looking to sell their gold online or through the mail. For more information on gold prices check out how pennyweight pricing is calculated.
We do not require any commitment for sale and will return your items in-store or through our insured mail services if you are unhappy with our prices. Contact us today to sell your scrap gold online or in-store!
