Whether you’re buying secondhand or just curious about a piece you own, here are the checks that tell you whether gold is real — from quickest to most definitive.
1. Look for a hallmark
Genuine gold jewelry is almost always stamped with its purity — usually on the clasp, the inside of a ring, or a small tag. Common marks:
- 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K — karat purity.
- 417, 585, 750, 916, 999 — the same purities as parts per thousand (585 = 14K).
- GP, GF, GEP, HGE, 1/20 — these mean gold-plated or gold-filled, i.e. not solid gold.
No mark at all is a warning sign for modern jewelry, though some genuine older or custom pieces are unmarked.
2. The magnet test
Gold is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet to the piece — if it pulls, there’s a significant non-gold metal core and it’s not solid gold. Passing this test doesn’t prove it’s gold (other non-magnetic metals exist), but failing it is a clear red flag.
3. Check for skin discolouration
Real gold doesn’t turn skin green or black. That reaction comes from base metals like copper and nickel reacting with sweat. If a “gold” ring leaves a mark after a day or two, it’s plated or an alloy with a lot of base metal.
4. Look at worn edges
On a plated piece, high-contact areas — the back of a ring, the edges of a clasp — wear through over time and show a different-coloured metal underneath. Solid gold is the same colour all the way through.
5. Get it professionally tested
For certainty, a jeweler can do an acid test or use an XRF analyser — a handheld scanner that reads the exact metal content without damaging the piece. This is worth doing before any significant secondhand purchase.
Buying with confidence
Every Papa Jewels piece is solid, stamped for purity, and backed by our lifetime warranty — so you don’t have to run these tests yourself. Browse gold chains, bracelets, rings and pendants, or contact us with any question.