Ever looked at a piece of jewellery and thought, “I’m not sure if that’s actually gold”? Before you head down to Lord Street, you can do a bit of detective work yourself. While a professional XRF test is the only way to be 100% sure, these three home tests are a great start:
The Magnet Test: Real gold is non-magnetic. If you have a strong magnet at home and your jewellery sticks to it, it’s likely a base metal (like steel or iron) with a thin gold plating.
The Hallmark Hunt: Grab a magnifying glass. Look for tiny numbers like 375 (9ct) or 750 (18ct). If you see “GP” or “GF,” that usually stands for “Gold Plated” or “Gold Filled”—meaning it has value, but not as solid gold scrap.
The Sink Test: Gold is heavy and dense. Fill a glass with water and drop the item in. Real gold will sink immediately and sit on the bottom. If it hovers or floats, it’s a lightweight alloy.
Found something that passed the test?
Bring it to Diamonds Direct Wholesale for a precision valuation and an immediate cash offer.