6 Easy Ways How to Tell If a Gold Chain is Real

Best Places to Sell Gold and Jewelry

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Types of Gold Jewelry

Gold jewelry comes in various types and forms, each offering different characteristics in terms of color, durability, and price.

Here’s an overview of the most common types of gold used in jewelry:

1. Gold Plated Jewelry

Gold-plated jewelry features a very light layer of gold (0.05% or less) over a base metal, typically brass or copper.

This method creates an affordable option for gold-looking jewelry, suitable for occasional wear or trying out new trends.

However, the thin gold layer can wear off over time, especially with exposure to liquids or chemicals, potentially leading to tarnishing.

2. Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil involves a thicker layer of gold (at least 2.5 microns) plated over sterling silver.

This type of jewelry is more durable than gold-plated pieces and is hypoallergenic, making it a safer choice for those with metal allergies.

Over time and with excessive use, the gold layer may wear off in areas of a lot of contact, but gold vermeil offers a good balance between longevity and affordability​.

3. Gold Filled

Gold-filled jewelry consists of a solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base, usually jeweler’s brass. This type contains a much higher amount of gold compared to gold-plated options—almost 100 times more.

It doesn’t wear off or tarnish easily, making it a fantastic option for everyday wear. Gold-filled jewelry is also better for those with metal allergies, as it won’t cause allergic reactions.

It’s a high-quality alternative to more expensive solid gold, offering durability and resistance to tarnishing​.

4. Solid Gold

Solid gold represents the highest quality in gold jewelry, made entirely of gold or alloyed with other metals to increase durability and alter the color.

Unlike 24k pure gold, which is too soft for most jewelry, solid gold pieces are typically made from 14k or 18k gold, balancing durability with the intrinsic value of gold.

Solid gold is tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic, and ideal for daily wear, making it an excellent investment for pieces you intend to keep and wear forever​.

Related: 10 Places to Sell Gold Online & Offline

Gold Hallmarks vs. Purity Markings

The difference between hallmarks and purity markings on gold and other precious metals is primarily in the scope and purpose of these stamps.

Hallmarks are official marks or series of marks that are stamped on precious metals to certify the content of those metals. A hallmark can include several pieces of information:

• Purity or Fineness: Indicates the metal’s purity, similar to the millesimal fineness markings.
• Assay Office Mark: Identifies which office tested and marked the item.
• Date Letter: This can sometimes indicate the year the item was hallmarked.
• Maker’s Mark: Identifies the company or individual that made or sponsored the item.

Hallmarks serve as a guarantee of the metal’s purity or fineness and are often mandated by law.

In many countries, items cannot be sold as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium without being independently tested and hallmarked at an assay office.

Purity Markings, on the other hand, are specific types of markings that indicate only the metal’s purity. These are usually expressed in karats (for gold, with pure gold being 24 karats) or in millesimal fineness (parts per thousand of pure metal in the alloy). For example:

• 999 (or .999): Indicates 99.9% pure gold, which is essentially pure gold.
• 925: Indicates sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver.
• 750: Indicates 18-karat gold, which is 75% pure gold.

Purity markings provide specific information about the amount of precious metal in the alloy, helping to assess value and quality.

However, unlike hallmarks, purity markings alone do not guarantee that the item has been independently tested; they are often applied by the manufacturer.

How to Tell If a Gold Chain is Real

To determine if a gold chain is real, you can perform several tests at home, such as the float test, observing for tarnish, the vinegar test, and more.

Each of these methods helps identify the authenticity of gold by checking its physical and chemical properties against those of genuine gold​.

1. Check Manufacturer Markings

Hallmarks, often found on jewelry clasps or inside rings, detail the purity of gold as a numerical value ranging from 1 to 999 or in karats from 0K to 24K.

To spot the hallmark, you might need a magnifying glass, particularly for small items where the mark can be hard to see with the naked eye.

The European system grades purity from 1 to 999, with 999 signifying pure gold, whereas the U.S. measures purity in karats from 0 to 24K, with 24K indicating pure gold.

The numerical system directly shows the percentage of gold, making it straightforward to understand; for instance, a 375 mark means the item is 37.5% gold.

Additionally, look out for letter markings like GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled), and GEP (gold electroplate), indicating the item is not solid gold but rather coated with a thin gold layer over another metal.

Be aware that older jewelry pieces may lack a visible hallmark due to wear over time or because they were crafted before hallmarking was standardized.

2. Water Floating Test

The water-floating method leverages the physical property of gold’s density to help differentiate it from less dense materials that might be used to simulate gold.

To determine if a gold chain is genuine using the water floating test, follow these steps:

1. Prepare a Large Jar of Water: You will need a container large enough to fully submerge the gold chain in water. The temperature of the water is not critical for this test.
2. Submerge the Gold Chain: Gently place the gold chain into the water. Real gold has a high density (19.32g/ml), which means it should immediately sink to the bottom of the jar.
3. Observe the Results: If the gold chain floats or does not sink, it is likely not genuine gold. This could indicate that the chain is gold-plated rather than solid gold. Gold’s high density compared to most other metals is the reason genuine gold will sink.

Water will not damage your gold chain, so this test is safe to perform. However, remember that while this test can provide a quick indication, it is not foolproof.

Other factors, such as the design of the chain or the presence of non-gold components, could potentially affect the outcome.

3. Vinegar Test

To test if a gold chain is real using the vinegar test, you’ll need a few simple tools: white vinegar, an eyedropper, and a bowl.

1. Preparation: Clean the gold chain thoroughly to remove any dirt, oils, or contaminants that might affect the test’s accuracy.
2. Vinegar Application: Use an eyedropper to apply a few drops of white vinegar directly onto the gold chain. Alternatively, you can submerge the gold chain in a cup filled with white vinegar.
3. Observation Period: Wait for a reaction. If the gold is real, it should not show any significant change in color, texture, or appearance. Real gold does not react with vinegar due to its stable and non-reactive nature. It may even appear cleaner or brighter as the vinegar can remove grime without damaging the gold.
4. Rinsing: After the test, rinse the gold chain with water and dry it with a soft cloth. This removes any vinegar residue and restores the gold’s shine.

White vinegar is recommended for this test due to its availability and acidic properties, which can dissolve coatings or impurities on metals but won’t harm gold.

Therefore, if your gold chain reacts by turning black, green, or any other color, it might not be made of real gold.

4. Magnet Test

Magnet test is a quick and non-destructive way to check if a gold chain is real. However, it’s not 100% foolproof since some non-magnetic metals can be used in counterfeit gold jewelry.

To determine if a gold chain is real using the magnet test, follow these steps:

1. Use a Strong Magnet: Gold is not magnetic, so a real gold chain will not be attracted to a magnet. For this test, you’ll need a strong magnet; a refrigerator magnet might not be powerful enough to provide conclusive results.
2. Perform the Test: Hold the magnet close to the gold chain and observe if there is any attraction between the magnet and the chain. Make sure to test various parts of the chain, as only some parts might be gold-plated or mixed with other magnetic metals.
3. Interpreting the Results: If the chain is attracted to the magnet, it indicates that the chain is not made of pure gold, or it might be a gold-plated chain with a base metal that is magnetic. A genuine gold chain should not show any attraction to the magnet​​.

For a more definitive analysis, consider additional methods, such as checking for a karat mark.

5. Scratch Test

To perform a scratch test (also known as the porcelain or ceramic tile test) on a gold chain to determine its authenticity, you should follow these steps:

1. Prepare a Porcelain Tile or Unglazed Ceramic Plate: You will need an unglazed ceramic plate or a piece of porcelain tile. Make sure it is clean and dry before you start the test.
2. Scratch or Rub the Jewelry on the Porcelain: Gently scratch or rub a part of the gold chain against the porcelain tile or ceramic plate. It’s important to choose an inconspicuous area of the jewelry for this test to minimize visible damage.
3. Observe the Color of the Streak: After scratching or rubbing the jewelry on the porcelain, observe the color of the streak it leaves behind. A real gold item will leave a golden or yellow streak on the porcelain. In contrast, a fake gold item will leave a black streak.

This method is considered risky due to the high chance of damaging your jewelry. If you are concerned about potentially harming your gold chain, it might be better to consider other non-destructive methods.

6. Gold Tester Kit

Gold testing kits usually include nitric acid for different types of gold and a flat rock called a touchstone you can use to scratch off some of the gold on your item.

How to test gold chain with a gold testing kit:

1. Prepare the item: Select a discreet area on the gold item to test, such as beneath a clasp or on the inner band.
2. Make a scratch: Use a sharp tool, like a jewelry engraver, to make a small scratch deep enough to remove the top layer and reveal the metal underneath.
3. Apply acid: wear latex gloves and ensure the area is well-ventilated. Place the gold piece in a stainless steel container and apply a drop of the acid suitable for 18K gold onto the scratch.
4. Observe the reaction: a green reaction indicates fake gold, no reaction indicates genuine gold, a milk-colored reaction indicates gold-plated sterling silver, and a gold reaction indicates gold-plated brass.

How to use touchstone to determine the karat purity of the gold:

If you suspect the gold is real, use the touchstone to make a streak of gold flakes. Apply drops of 12K, 14K, 18K, and 22K nitric acid to different parts of the streak and wait 20 to 40 seconds.

The karat purity of your gold is determined by the highest concentration of acid that does not dissolve the gold streak. For example, if the streak remains unchanged by the 14K acid but is dissolved by the 18K acid, your gold is approximately 14 karats.

Remember, if your gold item has sentimental value or you prefer not to risk damaging it, consider taking it to a professional jeweler for testing.

What to Look for When Buying a Gold Chain?

When buying a gold chain, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you get a high-quality piece that meets your expectations:

1. Type of Gold Chain: Decide between solid gold and gold-plated chains. Solid gold is more durable and a better choice for everyday wear, while gold-plated options are less expensive but may wear down over time, especially with frequent use​​.
2. Karat of Gold: The karat indicates the purity of the gold, with higher karats being purer but softer and lower karats being more durable due to the presence of other alloys. For everyday chains, 14-18k gold is recommended for a good balance between durability and purity. Be cautious of lower karat gold if you have nickel allergies, as these alloys may contain nickel​​.
3. Link Type: The durability and likelihood of kinking or breaking depend significantly on the type of link. Flat chains like omega or herringbone and round snake chains are more prone to twisting and kinking. Sturdier options like box chains, wheat chains, and rope chains are recommended for their durability and resistance to twisting or bending​.
4. Clasp: A reliable clasp is crucial for the security of your chain. Lobster clasps are considered one of the best options due to their solidity and secure closure, minimizing the risk of the chain unintentionally opening and falling off​.
5. Weight and Feel: Solid chains are heavier and feel more substantial, offering better durability and less risk of damage compared to hollow chains, which are lighter and less expensive but more prone to breaking or denting​​​​.
6. Verified Inspection: Ensure that the gold chain has been inspected and verified by an official jeweler. This can help confirm the authenticity of the gold and the quality of the craftsmanship.
7. Stamp of Purity: Look for a stamp of purity on the chain, indicating its karat and, consequently, its gold content. This stamp is a hallmark of the chain’s authenticity and value​.
8. Consideration for Pendants: If you plan to wear a pendant with your chain, ensure the chain is thick and strong enough to support the additional weight without compromising its integrity​​.