How to Identify Real Gold and Diamond Jewellery

Buying gold and diamond jewellery can be an exciting investment, while selling gold can generate a healthy cash injection. However, it’s important to make sure that what you’re buying or selling is genuine. There are many imitation pieces on the market, so it’s essential to know how to identify real gold and diamonds.

Understanding real gold

Gold has been admired throughout history for its brilliance, durability, and timeless beauty. It’s always been a popular choice for jewellery because it is malleable and can easily be crafted into intricate designs.

However, because of gold’s attraction, this has led to the creation of gold-plated pieces, which look the same as pure gold, but cost a lot less. It’s important to be able to tell the difference between real gold and gold-plated jewellery for several reasons:

Value: Real gold is an asset that can appreciate in value over time. Gold-plated jewellery, on the other hand, has a much lower resale value.
Durability: Gold is a very durable metal that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Gold-plated jewellery, on the other hand, can fade or chip over time, especially if it’s used a lot.
Allergic reactions: Some people may experience allergic reactions to certain metals, including nickel, which is often used as a base metal for gold-plated jewellery. Real gold is hypoallergenic and is therefore less likely to cause skin irritation.

Here are some tests you can do at home to see if your jewellery pieces are likely to be real gold or gold-plated.

Check for hallmarks: Real gold jewellery is usually stamped with a hallmark indicating its purity. These marks include:

24K, 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K: These numbers represent the purity of gold, with 24K being the purest form.
AU, GF, GP, or EP: Indicates whether the piece is gold-filled, gold-plated, or electroplated.

Always look for these stamps on the inside of rings, clasps of necklaces and bracelets, or the back of earrings.

Perform the magnet test: Gold is not magnetic. One way to test your jewellery is to hold a strong magnet close to it. If the piece is attracted to the magnet, it likely contains other metals and is not pure gold.

Use the ceramic scratch test: Gently rub the gold piece on an unglazed ceramic plate. Real gold will leave a golden streak, while fake gold or gold-plated items may leave a black mark.

Try the nitric acid test: If you’re comfortable using chemicals, the nitric acid test can help determine the authenticity of gold. Apply a small drop of nitric acid to the jewellery; if it reacts and turns green, it’s not real gold. Real gold will not react with nitric acid.

Weigh the piece: Gold is denser than most metals, so real gold jewellery should feel heavier than fake pieces of the same size. You can compare the weight of your jewellery with similar-sized items that you know are genuine gold.

How to identify real diamonds

Like gold, diamonds have also held a special place in our hearts for thousands of years. Their timeless appeal comes from a combination of various factors:

Natural beauty: Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth under extreme pressure and temperature, which results in their unique crystalline structure and brilliance.
Rarity: The rarity of diamonds adds to their value and desirability. While diamonds are not as rare as some other gemstones, the process of mining and cutting them is costly, complex, and time-consuming.
Cultural significance: Diamonds have been associated with love, wealth, and status for centuries in many cultures. They are often given as engagement rings and incorporated into other precious jewellery to symbolise commitment, affection, and success.
Durability: Diamonds are the world’s hardest known natural material, which makes them virtually indestructible. This durability ensures they can be passed down through generations, which preserves their value and sentimental significance.

This allure of diamonds has led to the creation of various synthetic and imitation stones that mimic their appearance. While these alternatives may be more affordable, they lack the natural beauty, rarity, and cultural significance of real diamonds.

1. Check the clarity: Real diamonds have natural imperfections known as inclusions.At Gold House, we use a jeweller’s loupe to examine the stone. If we see tiny flaws or inclusions, it’s likely a real diamond. A completely flawless stone could be a fake, as most diamonds have some level of imperfection.

2. Perform the water test: Diamonds are dense, so they should sink when placed in a glass of water. If the stone floats, it’s likely a fake or an imitation like cubic zirconia.

3. Test for refractivity: Diamonds have a high refractive index, meaning they sparkle intensely when light passes through them. Hold the diamond under a light source and observe the way it reflects light. Real diamonds will display a sharp sparkle, with the light splitting into different colours. Fakes often produce a duller, more blurred reflection.

4. Use the fog test: Breathe on the diamond to fog it up, much like you would a mirror. Real diamonds dissipate heat quickly, so the fog should clear almost immediately. If it lingers for more than a few seconds, the stone might be fake.

5. Check for UV fluorescence: Under UV light, most real diamonds emit a blue glow, although some may not fluoresce at all. If the stone glows another colour, such as green or yellow, it might be an imitation.

6. Consider a diamond tester: A diamond tester is a small handheld device that can help determine the authenticity of a diamond. It measures the thermal conductivity of the stone, which is unique to diamonds. At Gold House, we can simply touch the probe to the stone, and the tester will indicate whether it’s a real diamond or an imitation.

Tips for buying real gold and diamonds

When buying gold and diamond jewellery, it’s crucial to buy from reputable sellers like Gold House. Here are a few tips to help make sure you’re making a wise investment:

1. Buy from trusted sources: Always purchase jewellery from a well-established and reputable retailer. A trusted seller like Gold House has the expertise and equipment to verify the authenticity of the gold and diamond assets.

2. Request certification: For diamonds, you can ask for a certification from a recognised gemmological institute, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI). These certificates provide detailed information about the diamond’s characteristics, including its carat, cut, colour, and clarity.

Get a professional appraisal: Before making a purchase, consider getting the piece appraised by a professional. This will give you peace of mind by confirming the authenticity and value of the jewellery.

4. Educate yourself: Familiarise yourself with the basics of gold and diamond jewellery before you shop. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid scams and make sure you’re getting the quality you’re paying for.

Making informed decisions about your jewellery

Identifying real gold and diamond jewellery can be challenging, with the right knowledge and tools needed to confidently verify the authenticity of your pieces. At Gold House, our jewellery experts are trained to use specialist equipment to accurately examine gold and diamond pieces, and will be more than happy to appraise your piece. Trusted by New Zealanders for over 25 years, you can also sell your gold to us with top prices paid, guaranteed.

Buy real gold and diamond jewellery

If you want to buy or sell gold and diamond jewellery, Gold House offers a reliable, discreet, and trustworthy service with an expert team of appraisers backed by years of experience Visit us today to explore our exquisite collection and receive expert guidance.

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FAQs about identifying real gold and diamond jewellery

How can I tell if a piece of jewellery is made of real gold?

There are several methods to determine the authenticity of gold. Two common methods are to look for hallmarks or do a magnet test. A more accurate option is to use a gold tester, which measures the electrical conductivity of the metal.

What are the different gold purities, and how can I identify them?

Gold purity is measured in carats. 24-carat gold is pure gold, while 18-carat gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals. 14-carat gold is 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals. You can often find the carat number stamped on your jewellery.

How can I distinguish a real diamond from a fake one?

Diamonds have unique properties that can help differentiate them from imitations. One common test is the ‘fog’ test. If the diamond fogs up when you breathe on it, it’s likely a fake. Diamonds also have a high refractive index, which means they sparkle very brightly.

Are there any at-home tests to determine the authenticity of a diamond?

While there are some at-home tests, such as the fog test, they may not be completely reliable. For a definitive answer, it’s best to consult with a professional jeweller or gemmologist.

What should I do if I suspect my gold or diamond jewellery is fake?

If you believe your jewellery may not be real, it’s advisable to have it independently appraised. Our expert team at Gold House will use specialised equipment to determine the authenticity of your gold or diamonds, and will provide you with an accurateestimate of value.