Anybody have an answer to this?
Jan. 20th, 2005 04:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pixiecrinkleHow might one tell if a piece of jewelry is solid gold v. gold plated? I have a ring for sale on ebay and someone asked me this question, but I've got no idea. I would guess it's solid, based on where I got it, but I'm sure that's not good enough evidence to give a potential buyer.
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no subject
Date: 2005-01-20 11:15 pm (UTC)I'd carefully inspect the inside of the ring for a marking such as 10K, 14K, 18K, etc. If you see a marking such as 583 or .583, thats the percentage of gold (583=14K).
Or it could also be gold filled, which is a copper or silver core with a very thick coating of gold, but I don't know how such would be marked.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-20 11:18 pm (UTC)Doh! I just went to the auction. 18Kt is quality stuff. That's 18/24 gold, which equals 75%.
I'd just tell her it's marked 18KT and you have no reason to doubt it, but caveat emptor and all that.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-20 11:35 pm (UTC)And, I think I just determined that I'm wrong and it says "14KT" Actually, it looks like "914KT." I'm off in search of a magnifying glass now.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-20 11:57 pm (UTC)24KT would be pure gold (24/24). 18KT is 18/24 gold, 14KT is 14/24 gold, and so forth. Gold is usually alloyed (melted and mixed) with copper because it's a similar color. Jewelry is seldom 24KT because pure gold is soft and easily bent or scratched, so making it an alloy is a good thing.
The previously mentioned weight and displacement to calculate the density would be a good indicator whether it's solid 18KT or 18KT gold filled, but even that may not be definitive.
BTW, Sterling silver is stamped .925 (925/1000 silver) and Fine silver is stamped .999
no subject
Date: 2005-01-20 11:59 pm (UTC)See, this I knew. :-)
Hence, why I'm getting rid of this ring--I wear tons and tons of silver, but never ever wear gold, and received this as a gift. Thanks for your help!
no subject
Date: 2005-01-20 11:21 pm (UTC)It's a nice ring. If it was closer to my size, I'd buy it myself. $50 is a good deal.