How to tell gold from gold plated
Hallmarks, letter stamps and a handful of home tests can point towards real gold or plate. None of them is proof, and they work best together.
Is all gold valuable?
Gold is admired for its beauty and its history, but not all gold is worth the same. Purity matters most. Pure gold, called 24 carat, is the most valuable because nothing is mixed into it. Most gold jewellery is an alloy instead, a mix of gold with other metals that make it harder wearing or change its colour.
Rarity, craftsmanship and history can also add to what a piece is worth beyond the gold in it. Antique pieces, or pieces by well-known designers, can be wanted by collectors. So all gold has value, but not every gold piece is worth a lot.
The different types of gold
Here are the types you are likely to find at home. The carat number shows how much of the metal is gold.
Scroll sideways to see every column
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| 24 carat (pure gold) | 99.9 per cent gold, the highest purity. Used for investment and some high-end jewellery. |
| 22 carat | 91.7 per cent gold. A balance of purity and strength, used for jewellery such as earrings, necklaces and bangles. |
| 18 carat | 75 per cent gold. Popular in fine jewellery, including engagement and wedding rings, because it is strong enough to hold stones. |
| 14 carat | 58.3 per cent gold. Common in everyday jewellery such as rings, bracelets and pendants. |
| 10 carat | 41.7 per cent gold. Used for earrings, charms and chains. |
| 9 carat | 37.5 per cent gold. Another popular choice. |
| Gold plated | A thin layer of gold put on a base metal by electroplating. Common in costume jewellery, and it can show wear. A dark patch can mean the base metal is showing through. |
| Gold filled | A thicker layer of gold bonded to a base metal. More durable than plating. Used for chains, bracelets and brooches. |
| Vermeil | Sterling silver coated with a thick layer of gold. Found in rings, earrings and pendants. |
| Rolled gold | A layer of gold bonded to a base metal with heat and pressure. Used for chains, bangles and watch cases. |
Rolled gold is popular because it lasts. Plating can wear off over time, but a thick bonded layer keeps its look through daily wear.
Hallmarks and letter markings
Before you go to the effort of selling, it makes sense to check what you have. Start with marks. A hallmark is a small stamp that can show a piece's purity and sometimes where it was made. You might see a figure such as 24K, 18K or 14K for purity, or other symbols for the maker or country. If a piece carries them, that is a good sign. How to read a UK hallmark goes through what British marks mean.
Letter markings are often maker's marks or stamps. Makers stamp their initials or logo on a piece. Some letters describe the metal. GF can mean gold filled, and GP can mean gold plated. Not every gold item has a letter mark, and a missing one does not mean a piece is not genuine.
Simple tests at home
The magnet test. Hold a strong magnet to the piece. Gold is not magnetic, so a piece that is pulled by the magnet probably has other metals in it. Use it with other tests, not alone.
The water test. Gold is denser than most metals, so it sinks. Weigh the piece, then lower it gently into water and watch whether it sinks or floats. If it floats or hangs in the water, it is probably not gold. Use other methods as well for a fuller picture.
The vinegar test. Put a few drops of vinegar on the surface. Real gold does not react. If the piece tarnishes, discolours or shows a green residue, other metals are probably present. Take care, and do not rely on this alone.
The ceramic plate test. Gently scrape the piece across unglazed ceramic, such as the back of a plate or a tile. Real gold leaves a golden streak, because it is soft. A black streak, or no mark, suggests it may not be gold. Be careful not to damage the piece.
The skin test. Gold is inert, so it should not irritate or mark your skin. But skin chemistry, other substances on the skin and the purity of the gold all affect the result, so it is not conclusive.
Once you know what you have
Knowing whether a piece is real can help you decide what to do with it, whether that is an old ring, an inherited coin collection or plated pieces you no longer wear. No single home test is final, so you may still want a specialist to check.
Send us all of it
You do not have to sort real gold from plate first. Ask for a free postage pack and put everything you have in a box of your own. The postage label is free, and your box is protected on the way to us. We make one offer for the whole box within seven days of arrival. We hold your offer for 14 days. Your offer tells you the date. If you need longer, just ask. Say yes on a working day and we send your payment the same day, once we have your details.
Got a box of old treasures at home?
Get your free packHow it works
Step 1: Pack your box
Everything in, nothing cleaned.
Step 2: Post it free
Stick the Parcelforce label from your pack on your box and send it to us.
Step 3: Wait for your offer
One offer for the lot, within seven days of arrival.
Questions
Is the magnet test enough to tell if gold is real?
No. Gold is not magnetic, so a pull means other metals are present. But some plated pieces are not magnetic either, so use it with other checks.
Do I need to know if my gold is real before I send it?
No. Send real gold, plate and costume pieces together. Condition does not matter for most items.
No obligation. Just ask for a free pack.
Get your free pack
Protected on its way to us
Our parcel cover, up to £300, on evidence of what was in the box.
One offer for the whole box
We value everything in it and make one offer for the lot.
Carefully valued
We carefully value each box and pay a fair price for it.
Free postage both ways
A free postage label to us, and free postage back if you decline.
A hallmark and a few careful checks will tell you a lot, and a specialist can settle the rest.
Prefer to talk? Call us free on 0800 048 8777