Gold or not?

[sbmsp]

Hi,
Anyone have hints on determining if unmarked gold colored jewelry might actually be gold? I know to try to look for markings but does everything gold have some element of a stamp?
Just wodering as I found a bracelet today that looked promising but has no markings and a bit of oxidation so figured that was a no go....

(BTW - yeah I'm too lazy/embarassed to go to a jeweler and ask.....)

Thanks, Steve in MA

 

[slingshot]

Doesn't sound real because of the oxidation. If you don't have acid, specific gravity tools, or a tester, you'll have to see someone with the tools. Also, see if it is attracted to a magnet-automatic no.

 

[nw1886]

Quite a bit of gold jewelry can be missing a stamp from resizing and just plain old wear. I buy scrap gold daily (at work) and a checking for a couple other things can give you a "good idea only" if it is gold or not.

1. See if it is still the same color inside any scratches. (A #10 power loop is cheap an available from coin and optical shops.)

2. No matter how small the piece, gold has a tell tale "thunk" in your hand, when slightly bounced. (You can feel it with practice.)

3. Plating can have an obvious "follow the contour and coated look" with cheaper cast/base metal jewelry. Cheaper, mass marketed gold stuff, can have a similar look though. (A lot of "value" QVC type of gold, can have this look.) Also...a fine "bubbly" adhesion issue can be present.

4. Gold has a tendency to have much more of a fine "smear" pattern, when abraded on a small piece of fine slate, due to it's uniform softness. Jewelers slate is inexpensive but imagine a finely granulated type of natural slate would do fine. Exception...dental gold is alloyed harder and doesn't "smear" well.

 

[sbmsp]

Wow, Thanks for the great info! I'll probably invest in a loop or a good magnifying glass at least.....