gold authenticity
magnet and gold chain

Is It Real Gold?
Gold Authenticity 101 Tips

The most obvious way to determine the authenticity of gold is to look for a purity mark, but BEWARE! Even if the jewelry is marked 14k or 18k, this does not necessarily mean your item is indeed real gold. Some jewelry is mismarked to purposely mislead people.

real gold, or fools gold?

Gold Authenticity 101 Tip:
Check jewelry with a magnet (especially necklaces). Gold is not magnetic, and thus real gold will not be attracted to a magnet.

Real Gold is Not Magnetic

Real gold does not contain iron, and thus is not magnetic. Hold a necklace up with one hand and move a magnet close to the middle. If the necklace is attracted to a magnet it is NOT a real gold necklace! Of course, just because jewelry does not attract to the magnet still does not always mean it is indeed real gold.

Tarnishing & Color Variations

Another good tip to identify non-gold jewelry is to check for signs of wear. Real gold does not tarnish. If you see a different color or shade of metal showing through the piece of jewelry it is generally not real gold. Plated gold necklaces can tarnish with time, and can also chip or flake.

Gold Pocket Watches

gold pocket watch gold watch case marked 14KT

Solid gold watch cases are worth considerably more than the more common gold filled watch cases. Pocket watches marked with 14k, 585 fine or 18k fine are generally solid gold, but there are exceptions. For example, one case marked “The Bell 14k”, is actually gold filled. There are also pocket watches that have no markings that are also solid gold.

Only about 5% of pocket watches cases that were made are actually solid gold. Pocket watch cases marked “guaranteed” are probably just gold filled, as are watch cases marked 5, 10, 20, 25 or 30 years. If you see tarnishing (signs of wear that shows a different colored metal), your pocket watch is probably not gold.

Karat Markings

The majority of real gold is normally marked by karat – usually a small mark can be found somewhere on the piece of jewelry. Make sure you have proper lighting and a magnifying glass or jewelers loupe to look for the mark.

  1. Most gold rings are marked on the inside of the ring.
  2. Most bracelets and necklaces are marked on the clasps.
  3. Brooches or pins are usually marked on the back.
  4. Earrings can be marked on the post on the back.

NOTE: Authentic Gold jewelry can also be silver in color, so be sure and check for markings on silver colored jewelry too.

Gold Identifying Marks
These Marks Usually Indicate Real Gold

  1. 333 or 8kt
  2. 375, 9kt, 9k or 9ct
  3. 417, 10kt or 10k
  1. 585, 14kt or 14k
  2. 625 or 15ct
  3. 750, 18kt or 18k
  1. 875, 21kt or 21kv
  2. 916, 22kt or 22k
  3. 999.9 or 24kt

Not-Gold Identifying Marks
These Marks Usually Indicate the Item is Not Real Gold

  1. 18kHGE (heavy gold plate)
  2. 1/5 14k (gold filled)
  3. 1/10 14k (gold filled)
  4. 1/20 12k (gold filled)
  1. GF (gold filled)
  2. GB (gold bond)
  3. GP (gold plate)
  1. Solid Gold (could be 10k or gold filled)
  2. Gold Shell (gold plated)
  3. RGP (rolled gold plate)

Identifying Silver Markings

sterling silver mark

Silver Identifying Marks
These Marks Usually Indicate Real Silver

  1. 999 (Pure silver)
  2. 935 (93.5%)
  3. 925 (sterling)
  1. Sterling Coin (90%)
  2. 900 (90%)
  1. 835 (83.5%)
  2. 800 (80%)

Not-Silver Identifying Marks
Indications That Item Might Not Be Silver

  1. Marked Silverplate
  2. English Silver
  1. German Silver
  2. Sterling inlaid


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