How do you know if your jewelry is gold?

[disneymom3]

Seems like Google would be able to tell me this but I can't find basic info. wording of the question is part of my problem.

I want to take some old jewelry in to sell but I don't want to feel like an idiot and have them tell me it's all just junk. Some of it I have had a long time and have no idea what it cost or anything.

I know others on here have sold their gold and am looking for some guidelines.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Seems like Google would be able to tell me this but I can't find basic info. wording of the question is part of my problem.

I want to take some old jewelry in to sell but I don't want to feel like an idiot and have them tell me it's all just junk. Some of it I have had a long time and have no idea what it cost or anything.

I know others on here have sold their gold and am looking for some guidelines.

Gold is marked. 10k, 14k, or 18k. Older gold is not marked. Often, when you go to sell old jewelry they will use a magnet to determine if anything is just plated. Be aware, though. Sometimes you can sell gold for the value of gold alone OR for the value of the jewerly. A gold buyer might offer you $75 for the gold content of an item knowing full well they can resell as an art piece for $1500.

 

[3pletprincesses]

you usually can find a stamp on the inside of the ring, bracelet or the necklace clasp that says how many carats it is. You will usually see 10K (10 carats)or 14K (14 carats) or more.

 

[Sinderelly]

I sold some jewelry part of it was gold but I walked out of the jewelry store with a baggie half full of things that were not gold. I didn't feel silly at all. The jeweler was really nice. I just explained I wanted to be sure which pieces were gold.

 

[disneymom3]

Gold is marked. 10k, 14k, or 18k. Older gold is not marked. Often, when you go to sell old jewelry they will use a magnet to determine if anything is just plated. Be aware, though. Sometimes you can sell gold for the value of gold alone OR for the value of the jewerly. A gold buyer might offer you $75 for the gold content of an item knowing full well they can resell as an art piece for $1500.

That is not going to happen. These are all older pieces so I guess I will just go in and see what happens. My daughter does have a pair of earings that are 24K so at least it won't be a totally wasted trip.

Thanks!!

 

[Evi]

gold has a very distinct soft smooth texture when you slide your fingers over it. It should be marked if its a really old and I mean really old because even stuff from early 1900s is usually marked you can take it to a jewelry store and they can acid test it. What they do is they find a spot that you will not notice and they will lightly rub it onto a stone this leaves a small amount of the metal behind then they will drop a drop of acid on the stone. Depending on how long it take for the gold scratch to disappear they can tell you the karat weight. Also real gold will not stain your skin, peel or change color.

 

[pklein09]

That is not going to happen. These are all older pieces so I guess I will just go in and see what happens. My daughter does have a pair of earings that are 24K so at least it won't be a totally wasted trip.

Thanks!!

Not to dispute you, but are you sure it's 24K gold? 24K gold is pure gold with no metal added for strength. I'm under the impression 22K is the highest purity you can buy, and that's typically Indian gold. 18K is typically European gold, and 14K is pretty much the standard in the US.

Also, the gold might not be marked 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K. Sometimes there is a number is used instead. 18K would be marked 750. Here's a link to gold markings and their explanations:

http://www.jewellerycatalogue.co.uk/gold/assay_hallmark.php

Good luck selling your gold!

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

I just sold a little bit of broken gold last week.

Run a magnet over each piece before you take it in. If it sticks to the magnet, they don't want it because it's gold plated.

 

[hinodis]

I am a gold broker, I buy gold for a living. There are a couple of things you can do. First the magnet test as others mentioned. Be aware that the magnet will stick to the clasp because of the metal spring in clasps. Look at the clasp. If the ring is NOT soldered then it is not gold. Most gold is marked, but sometimes it can be hard to see. some sort of magnifying glass will help. Gold is not always marked with 14k or 10k, it may say 585 or 417. If it says 925 it is silver. Be sure you are going to a reputable place. Ask that they test it in front of you. Be sure that they do a minimum of 3 tests on your gold. I do home gold buying parties and we not only do it in front of you we also explain what we are doing and show you everything.