Metals

Gold jewelry is very elegant and stylish, but there are times when you’re not sure whether or not you have the real thing. Fake gold, or fool’s gold, can fade away over time; the once sparkling treasure you cherished is now worn out and ugly. Don’t be fooled by fakes; there are several ways to tell if gold is real or not.

What You’ll Need:

• Water and jug
• Small file
• Nitric acid
• Magnet
• Unglazed ceramic

Find The Hallmark

The hallmark is the easiest way to determine whether your gold is fake or real. The hallmark is the stamp that states the jewelry’s karat weight, such as 14k or 10k. If your gold is a very large piece (such as a gold bar), try and see if there’s a hallmark carved anywhere. Be reminded that this isn’t always very reliable, though. Sometimes, even fake gold can have hallmark stamped in them, and real gold doesn’t have it.

The Water Test

Gold is a lot heavier, compared to other metals. There are only a few types of metal that are heavier than it. Drop the gold in a jug filled with water. If it sinks to the bottom, it’s a sign that it’s real gold. Even the smallest gold jewelry will sink. If it floats, then it’s a fake.

Scratch The Jewelry

If you don’t mind scratching your jewelry a bit, then this procedure would be great. Find a spot on your gold that isn’t very noticeable, then scratch it lightly with a small file. Afterwards, apply a drop of nitric acid on the scratch. If nothing happens, it’s real gold, but if it becomes green it’s just gold-plated or a base metal. If you see a milky substance, what you have is gold-plated sterling silver.

Use A Magnet

Unlike other metals, gold isn’t magnetic. If your jewelry sticks or pulls toward a magnet, it’s not real. There are some jewelry that are made from non-magnetic metals, so this isn’t the most reliable tactic.

Try The Ceramic Method

If you have an unglazed ceramic material at home, you can test if your gold is real or not. Get a small piece, then rub it against the gold. If the gold is real, there will be a golden streak. If it’s fake, the streak is black.

Use Cosmetics

Makeup has been known as a great indicator of whether a gold is real or not. Here’s what to do.

1. Wash your hands, then dry them thoroughly.
2. Get the liquid foundation, applying a nickel- sized amount on your hand’s back. Let it set up a bit for a couple of seconds.
3. Apply the face powder or finishing powder on the liquid foundation.
4. Get your gold item, then rub it over the makeup in a back and forth motion.
5. See what happens to the makeup. If you see a black streak, then it’s real.

Ask A Jewelry Dealer

If you’re not convinced with the methods above, then this the best solution. Professional jewelry dealers have testing kits that let you know whether the piece is real or not. Testing would require a small fee, but you’ll be guaranteed that you’ll get the correct results. Just make sure the dealer is trustworthy.

One last tip: don’t buy jewelry from unreliable sources. As long as you only buy from reputable jewelry shops, you’ll be assured your gold is always of top quality and real, especially if you are buying coin collections. If the gold is proved to be real, the next step probably is to learn how to sell gold jewelry and bullion.

For centuries, people put immense value in gold.  Coins, jewelry, and even statues and sculptures made of gold have been – and are still – symbols of prestige, wealth, and power.  People put a high price and gold, and you can make a lot of money by selling gold items at a fair price.

Gold at a Glance

• Chemical symbol: Au
• Type: Transition metal
• Atomic weight: 196.966 grams per mole

Gold is one of the oldest precious metals known to humankind.  As a pure metal, gold is the most malleable (ability of a metal to be formed into shapes like sheets and wires) naturally-occurring substance in the Earth’s crust.  Throughout history, people have appreciated the shine and glimmer of gold.  Gold coins, gold leaf, gold rings, and other items made of gold have been made and traded for generations.  Royalty use gold crowns and scepters as a symbol of power and prestige.  Small amounts of gold are also used for electronics, computers, and other sensitive instruments.  The alcoholic drink Goldschläger, for example, is schnapps containing traces of gold leaf.

Gold doesn’t lose its luster over time.  The metal is quite rare, and collectors will often pay a high price for items made of pure gold such as gold coins collections, or for metal alloys that contain a high amount of gold.

Valuing and Testing Gold

Carats are used to determine the value of gold alloys, or when gold is mixed with other metals.  Pure gold is 24-karat gold, although items with 18-carat or 14-carat gold still fetch high prices on the market.  The gold standard was used once to determine the value of money, although assaying and testing are still used when gold items are traded or sold on the market.  A single gold bar can fetch a price as high as a thousand dollars per ounce.

Gold buyers have special tools to test the purity or the amount of gold in an item.  Some of these tests may include treating the item with acid, or examining it under a microscope or a powerful instrument.  The value of gold items is determined by two factors:

• Chemical purity. Gold fetches a higher price if the gold item has little to no impurities at all.
• Historical value. Some coins, antique jewelry, or items made with or coated with gold can fetch very high prices at auctions if they have immense historical value.

Where to Sell Gold

You can sell gold items in many ways:

• Auction houses, if you have a historical piece made with gold.
• Pawnshops, if you plan to get your gold item back but you need the money immediately.
• Online brokerages, where you can send your gold items by courier and have them auctioned off online.

Whether it’s an old ring, an expensive watch, or a large gold bar, every gold item is worth its weight, perhaps even more.  With these tips to help you value and sell gold, you can make big money out of one of the world’s most important and precious metals.