Thanks for commenting, yeah, that definitely could have been a bit clearer in the video. The real gold should discolor the foundation. The fake gold should not.
I believe the real gold is the one that leaves the black streak. It was the 14k ring he used first that left the mark, and the fake piece that left no mark at all. You can Google the test gold with liquid foundation test and it will come up for. You. Hope my little bit of info helps you.
To do toothpaste correctly you put toothpaste on the piece of jewelry and rub it on a white cloth, if it makes a mark it’s real gold. Works 100% thx for your videos 😊
That's a great question. Most of the at-home tests we tried in this video are only about to give you an indication of whether the piece is gold or not. If you need to know the exact purity (14k vs 18k), you will want to user the more professional tests we talk about at the end (the electronic gold tester or the testing acids). Of course, you can also bring it in to our shop, and we can let you know. :)
Sorry to correct some information I've seen countless times that is improperly provided to viewing audiences. Gold alloys ARE magnetic, this includes 18k, 16k, 14k, 12k, 10k and 8k and all the percentages of gold alloys in between ALL DEPENDANT on the size of the item, the strength of the magnet and the base metal used to achieve the percentage or karat that the item is. 😅 But your video was genuinely entertaining and informative. Thank you!😊
While they can technically be slightly magnetic, you won't see any gold alloy jump to a magnet, or stick to it strong enough to pick the item up which is what we were implying here that being said yes, gold alloys can be slightly magnetic on occasion so that could have been stated clearer. I appreciate the compliment thank you!
Good question. We didn't see any reaction from vinegar on real or fake jewelry, but we did see the bleach react strongly with the fake jewelry. The fact that you didn't see a reaction is a good sign that your jewelry is real gold. That said, as we mentioned in the video, it's not a great idea to leave even real gold in bleach for a long period since it can affect the alloys in the metal.
Hi Angelo, enjoyed your video. You were very entertaining and I learned something too. By the way, I did purchase the gold tester upon your suggestion. Love it, thank you. Have a blessed day and the beard is new, like it! Joanne
Thanks for the kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, and I hope the gold tester works out well for you. If you ever need help identifying a tricky piece, you can always stop by the shop. :)
I had a roommate that bought a gold chain from a guy on the street. I told him that it was fake and he didn't believe me. I put it in a glass of bleach and the chain fizzed up just like the bird cage. It turned green the next day but he still didn't believe it was fake. We took it to the pawnshop and they literally laughed in his face. 😂 I'm taking gut busting, red faced, doubled over laughter like they were at a comedy show.
Oh man, that's rough. :) I'm glad to hear that the bleach test worked for you at least. I would be careful leaving anything in there too long though. Even real gold will suffer if left in bleach for more than an hour or so.
I used to live in San Francisco back in the late 80s early 90s and there was a store downtown near where I lived that was typical back then - full of anything you might want. pots and pans, bandanas, vhs tapes, socks... they also sold junk jewelry and fake gold chains. Once when I was in there I overheard the shop keeper and his customer dealing with stamping a "gold" chain for an extra charge. The owner caught me watching and told me I better mind my business. :/
@@theresi1008I don't know why you are telling everyone when my dad told you to mind your business. Apparently you don't take orders well. We never forget.
@@ArdenJewelers It’s just fantastic to watch. Also I used these techniques to help my mother not get scammed into buying a one ounce gold bar yesterday. It was the magnet test that did it, btw. Thanks!
Hi, I was inspired to try some of these tests, and I just wanted to say that unless real gold comes out of jewelry findings from Jo-ann's and Michael's, the makeup test does not work to test if something is gold. I tested several items I thought might be gold and they all left a strong dark streak in the dry liquid makeup on my skin after rubbing just 15-30 seconds, but I also tested some very not gold items: cheap goldtone connectors, earring wires, beads, etc from craft stores that I bought myself and they also left a dark streak. Quite sad but I saw so many comments below with people convinced this works, I had to comment myself. I have not tried other methods yet.
Thanks for commenting. It's really helpful to hear about your experience. With this kind of test, I imagine that there are a lot of variables that can throw it off (type of foundation, quality of gold, etc.). If you need to be sure, your best bet is to have the pieces tested by a local gemologist.
And how can I tell if my piece isn't just brass? This is what tricks me. Brass isn't magnetic and I don't know if any of the other tests would appear different on brass the same as with gold. What do you recommend I do.
Good question! Typically, the easiest test for brass is the visual inspection. It looks a bit different than yellow gold if you have seen a lot of it. That said, if you need something more definitive, the electronic tester or the acids are the best. Either one should have no trouble detecting brass. Of course, if you're in the Sacramento, CA area we would be happy to test your piece for free. We do that kind of thing all the time.
@ArdenJewelers The liquid foundation test works! I just tried it on known gold rings and on cheap gold-colored rings. Would brass or any other metal turn dark or just the gold? Thanks
@@jennifermeegan148 The generally idea is that only gold will turn dark. That said, we don't have extensive experience with this particular test, and I'm sure there are metals that will give false positives. If you need to be very sure of what you have, I would recommend taking it in to a local gemologist to test.
Good question. Yes, it absolutely does. That's why when we test jewelry at our shop we start with non-destructive tests like the visual inspection, magnets, and electronic tester. Some pieces however have a thick plating, and you can only tell what the underlying metal is after scratching them. In this case, try to find an out of the way area to scratch that won't be too noticeable.
Great video however with the foundation test you didn't say if it leaves a black mark doesn't mean it's fake gold or real gold? Or maybe I just didn't hear you say that. Thanks again
Good question. That definitely could have been clearer in the video. If the test is working, real gold should leave a dark mark in the foundation, but fake gold will not. Of course, it isn't foolproof, but it did work pretty well with our test pieces.
Yes, that's a good point. That's why we typically don't recommend toothpaste for at-home jewelry cleaning. You can checkout our full video on jewelry cleaning if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/SSdxDaGv2UQ/видео.html
Great question. Yes, the electronic tester needs to be calibrated pretty much daily to provide accurate readings. We use an 18k yellow gold wedding band that we keep next to the tester. I have seen special calibration discs before, but we haven't had any need for them, so I couldn't recommend a good one. If you would like a band of your own, we can definitely help you find one. ;)
I have an antique hand mirror that I suspect to have gold holding in the glass. Should I just go see someone with the metal detecting gun or try the scratch test, perhaps? There are no identification marks on it so I think knowing the base metal of that part is important.
That's a good question. Your best bet would probably be to bring something like that in to a gemologist to test. Since the potential gold is surrounded by other metal, it will be tricky to use most of the tests in this video. The electronic gold tester would be the easiest and best option.
I have a gold bar weighing 274 pounds and i have been through test as you mentioned on your video and i got positive result. however, when testing with sulfuric acid the result turn brown gas and blue smoke, and when testing with nitric acid the result turn out green. i still have doubt that i have a real gold as result came positive. Could you please kindly explain precisely?
A gold bar that size would be worth about $10.5 million in today's market. Given that, I would probably avoid at-home tests and get the help of a professional. :)
Ha ha, I wouldn't try using these testing methods to clean jewelry. That said, we do have another video on at-home jewelry cleaning you can check out: ruclips.net/video/SSdxDaGv2UQ/видео.html Or, of course, you can always stop by our shop. We offer a quick free cleaning service. :)
❤ Thank You. I enjoyed your video. I recently bought a gold testing kit Because I wanted to test my gold flakes and Placer gold....DO you use it the same way on those ( ? ) And do you just use the neutralizer for cleaning the bar ( ? )
Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes we test flakes and nuggets the same way we test larger items. I would be careful of the really small flakes as they are sometimes so small that they just disintegrate when you scrape them. I usually drop a couple drops of neutralizer and then wipe off with a paper towel to clean it. Also, another tip is that most acid neutralizer is just baking soda mixed with water, so when you run out you can just make more at home. Hopefully this helps!
If the foundation changes color (gets darker) that's an indication that the piece is genuine gold. I know that definitely could have been more clearly explained in the video.
You're welcome! Yes, the electronic gold tester should have no trouble reading 24k gold. Just make sure you're testing the actual metal and not a thin plating on top.
@@joeltimajo7979 a lot of places, Amazon eBay etc. it is a Key Gold Analyzer. Here's the Amazon link for it from the video description: amzn.to/3NwphAJ
What would be a good, genuine electronic tester for me to get for personal use? I like vintage shopping so the destructive options are out of the question, but it seems like this could work on the go!
Thank you for your comment, we recommend the Kee Gold Analyzer. It is a bit pricey but the cheap ones aren't very reliable. We have a link in the description to it on amazon.
I thought the toothpaste test was to put some toothpaste on the item of question, wait a minute, then rub vigorously on a white cloth, and if it leaves a black smudge on the cloth it's real gold. It's not supposed to leave anything on the piece itself. Maybe the test I saw was different then the test you saw? I know the toothpaste test I saw and tried turned my white cloth black where I rubbed it( 10 quick vigorous rubs.) *Basic: The same as the foundation test. The same black streak.
Yes, I think you're right. That version of the toothpaste test seems to be more common and more effective than the one we saw. Maybe we'll have to do a follow up in the future. :)
How is the electronic gold tester called? i didnt find anything resembling it on amazon.. would love to own such a thing! in germany they just recently started to change the law on acid and now with the new mix i get alot of false positives or atleast i dont trust the acid anymore.. it takes minutes for the acid to work when before it was seconds, please tell me what this thing is called!
Thanks for commenting. There are few different electronic gold testers out there. The one we demonstrate in the video is available on Amazon here (affiliate link): amzn.to/3NwphAJ It works pretty well, but it does need to be calibrated regularly, so make sure that you have a piece of good 18k gold handy for that.
I heard that if 14k gold is paired with iron or nickel instead of copper or aluminum then the magnet trick won't work to determine whether or not it is true solid 14k gold. Is that true?
Interesting question, thanks for asking. Gold usually isn't alloyed with iron, and nickel isn't magnetic either. Most white gold is alloyed with nickel and isn't magnetic. In our experience, there are a few rare, genuine alloys that are magnetic (typically ones that use cobalt), but for the most part, if it sticks to a magnet, it's not gold.
These are all good questions. Maybe we'll have to do a follow up video down the line. :) I would guess that any bleach should work for the bleach test, but we have only tested laundry bleach.
Good question. That is called the "Touchstone" in the Touchstone and Acid test. It is a dark stone like slate that has a finely grained surface that the gold will leave a visible trace on when it's scratched. Most acid kits come with a suitable touchstone for you to use.
Good question. Without seeing earrings, it's difficult to say. That said, it's most likely a manufacturer's mark of some kind indicating who made them.
If you saw a noticeable reaction to the bleach in under an hour, the chain is probably not solid gold. As we mentioned in the video, the bleach can damage real gold as well if you leave it in long enough though, so be careful.
thanks for this info! I have this clunky penant that I did the make up test on and it gave me dark streaks. I wanted to be even more sure. It's a rough cast face kind of similar to the brass import ones from Africa but not as polished. I washed the pendant with soap and water, towel dried it then used my polishing cloth. I redid the makeup with both foundation and powder and the second time the streaks were more pronounced. I did the ceramic test, my house is dark so it's hard to see 100%. The lines look dark so not gold but if you put the phone flashlight on the line it reflects like gold and if I tilt the surface away from me to catch the light, I can see gold specks all the way down. I just soaked the pendant in white vinegar for 1/2 hr and nothing happened to it, but I see cleaning brass with vinegar is also a normal thing. ugh. what next? Iodine? I don't have any normal way to check gold and would die if I took this thing in and it was just brass. So back to the makeup test, does brass also leave a dark streak? - for the life of me I don't have any brass on hand! sorry so long.
That sounds like a tough one. The easiest thing to do would be to bring it to a local jeweler or gemologist who can tell you for sure. If that's not an option, the touchstone and acid test kit (link in description) is probably the most affordable option to get a conclusive result. Just remember the warnings in the video. These are serious acids, so you can definitely hurt yourself if you're not careful.
@@ArdenJewelers I did the iodine test and it failed. I'm going to save up for the metal tester you suggested. I would be just giddy to own one. Maybe a Christmas present to myself! :D Thanks for your answer, looking forward to catching up on your content.
Good question! The answer is: no. If a piece IS magnetic we can be pretty confident that it's NOT gold. But, if a piece IS NOT magnetic it could still be fake. We need to do more testing to be sure.
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, that could have been a lot clearer in the video. Basically, if the piece turns the foundation dark, that is a good indication that it is genuine gold.
The link the the machine is in the description but I will copy it here as well. The machine needs to be a calibrated on a regular basis as well. We use a ring that is known 18k gold and calibrate it daily at minimum (sometimes more often if needed)
Oh yeah I had another question I remember a long time ago I did a test by taking the piece of jewelry and rubbing it on my forehead and leaving a black mark indicating it was real. Is that still effective? I think it has something to do with the iron in a person's body, so it is not the most reliable. Also I think it might have been for sterling silver if a black mark appears it means it's real sterling silver but I don't remember do you know anything about this? Again thanks for the video it was really great and you were super friendly and very thorough but not too thorough. Which I loved because I didn't have to fast forward.
The black mark on the forehead almost sounds like the liquid foundation test. Maybe that's what it was? I haven't heard of a test that works directly on the skin. I would definitely be skeptical of that. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, by the way. It always makes our day to read comments like this. :)
Great question! Almost all testing methods from the most professional XRF machine to the toothpaste trick only test the surface of a piece. So, if the plating is thick enough, it will register as gold. That's why you see us filing in to each piece before we test it. You need to get through the plating to the metal underneath. Now, filing is destructive, so we try not to file a piece in real life if we can help it. Also, we try to file in an inconspicuous area, and we always get the customer's permission first. If you are testing your own jewelry, try to test an area that naturally has some wear on it. If you need to be sure, file into it first like we do in the video.
Density is a great way to get an idea if an item is gold or not. The main problem with this method is that you have to be very accurate and most people don't have a way to measure volume accurately at home. If you have access to a graduated cylinder and an accurate scale (or a specific gravity set-up) that can be a strong indicator if the item is gold or not. In our experience we have seen many counterfeits made with high density but low cost materials like Tungsten which has a very similar density to gold and then gold plated on top.
So 10k 14k and 18k have other metals in them. When mixed with a magnetic metal other than the percentage of gold that is in the 10 to 18K gold piece you will get a slightly magnetic charge no matter what if it has other magnetic metals into it
You're absolutely right about gold alloys. Where we really see this effect is with alloys of white gold (and platinum) that contain cobalt. In practice though, the vast majority of genuine gold alloys do not react at all to rare earth magnets. This makes the magnet test a very effective initial screening. :)
@@rachellbarnes799 there are a lot of reliable diamond testers out there. The really cheap ones are hit or miss but the nice ones are close to 100% reliable
That's a great question. Plating will trick most surface level gold tests (including fancy ones like the electronic gold tester). That's why you see us filing into each piece before we test. When we file, we get through any plating and test the metal underneath. Of course, filing is destructive, so if we determine that we need to file a piece, we always ask before we do so in our store.
@@ArdenJewelers most china fakes come in brand new packaging if it beats surface test not many investors will cut it in half or drill it I don’t think Aliexpress is selling brand new 20g bars for 15$ with packaging that looks authentic, I can see a lot of china fakes passing through major chain suppliers Sell 100 real sell 1 fake Who is going to cut their 100$ gram of gold in half or their 5 grams of gold ?
Good question. As long as you can scratch enough of the material on the touchstone to create a solid, easily visible line, the acid test should work. Testing flakes it always tricky, but using the acid test is not a bad way to go about it.
That's a good question. That stamp doesn't have any standardized meaning that I'm aware of. It is most likely a manufacturer's mark indicate which company or jeweler made the piece. Unfortunately, that doesn't give you any clues on whether it is genuine gold or not.
Good question. I wouldn't use any of the liquids we talked about on a watch (even if it's waterproof). Watches can be very tricky to test and different parts may be made out of different materials. I would recommend having a jewelry/watch expert help with that one if possible.
I have a similar gold filled bangle. Same stamp..and it does look gold but the edges are a little tarnished kinda looks like copper. Great video! Oh and is it possible to have real gold without a stamp?
Cool! Yeah the bangle is most likely gold filled or plated. It is possible to have real gold jewelry that isn't stamped. This is relatively common especially in the repair world. Stamps can wear off with time, or they can be removed during other repair processes like sizing or replacing broken parts.
You are very welcome, and thank you for the kind words. We really appreciate it! We typically don't charge to test gold at our store, but every shop is different. I would recommend calling your local jewelers/gemologists to see what their fees are before you go.
Hello, that's most likely an 18 karat quality stamp (indicating that the piece has approximately 75% gold content), but without seeing it in person, I couldn't say for sure. It could also be a maker's mark indicating which jeweler made the piece.
@@ArdenJewelers I found my good magnet, and it does attract to it. Do the Asians mix in steal in their gold jewelry? That is the claim when I look up that mark. That its the Japanese version of 18K gold. Its a fake, isn't it?
Great question. If the foundation turns darker it could be an indication that it is real. in this test the real ring turned the foundation darker, while the fake item did not.
Gold filled is a very thin layer of gold (though much thicker than electroplating) is placed on top of a base metal such as copper or brass. If it is in like new condition it may fake out some tests that only test the surface. The best way to check a piece that can't be damaged is with an electronic gold tester or an XRF (x-ray fluorescence) machine. Hopefully this helps!
I have seen the toothpaste test done ✅, and it was done by rubbing the toothpaste like you did, but then for 30 seconds real hard rubbing it back and forth on a white cloth and if it turns black or has color at all it’s real gold❤
Thanks for sharing! Yes, I think that is a better way to do the toothpaste test than what we did. I would be a bit concerned about scratching the piece since toothpaste is abrasive, but of course it all depends on the situation.
If something is marked GF and has the fraction, it’s not “fake”. It’s marked exactly what it is. It’s just not pure gold. I make this distinction because there is value in pieces that are not pure gold. Many antique items were gold filled and have a value all their own. Don’t just toss them out as “fakes”.
Very true. There is a lot of high quality, valuable gold filled jewelry out there! The purpose of this video is just to teach how to identify if a piece is made out of solid gold or not. But, you're absolutely right, fake isn't the most precise wording there. :)
@@petersalinas805 Without seeing the piece in person, we couldn't say for sure. That said, the "GL" is most likely a manufacturer's mark indicating which company or jeweler made the piece.
in my opinon best tests are the one that not destructive - chemical tests no go, then gold must have unique properties that hard to fake - weight to volume ratio + electro-magnetic properties, this should probably be enough
Generally I agree with this, the hard part is that most people aren't able to test for those at home with things they may have laying around. But yes if they had an accurate scale and a volumetric flask that would be a good way to determine authenticity
Interesting experiments. Don’t these various chemicals have the potential to ruin gold tone. Gold tone, albeit not real gold, is still desirable?…I’m confused 😬
You're absolutely right. A lot of these are what we would call destructive tests. If you think your jewelry may not be gold but you still want it to look nice, I would steer clear of the bleach test and any of the other strong chemicals. Sometimes, you have to do a destructive test to get a positive identification. In this case, you can typically file a small, out of the way area and just test that spot (e.g. with the electronic gold tester).
Good question! Lower karat gold can fake out a lot of tests. In this case, the electronic gold tester is going to be your best bet. Once you have eliminated the obvious fakes with the visual inspection and the magnet test, the electronic tester should give you a good indication of how much gold content is in your ring. Of course, you can always stop by our shop, and our gemologists would be happy to test your jewelry as well. :)
Good question! Yes, they are different, but for the purposes of this video we treat them about the same. This is because neither one is solid gold, and neither one contains enough gold to hold very much value in a single piece. For example, a normal piece of gold filled jewelry may have 1/40th of its weight be 12k gold. So, if the piece weighs 5 grams, it would have about 0.06 grams of fine gold. At today's gold market that would be about $5.03. That's still more than a gold plated piece which would have maybe $0.01 of gold, but it's not quite the same as a solid 14k piece which would be around $245.00.
The electronic gold tester is $325 so I'll need to find a way to test cheaply to sell a few items on ebay....even a $25 investment for the acid kit is painful 😣
I agree. In your case, your best bet is probably to ask for help from a local gemologist/jewelry buyer. If you bring us a handful of pieces that you are interested in selling, for example, we won't charge you to test them and let you know what's real and fake. Then, if you like our offer, you can save some time posting on eBay, if not, there's no obligation.
Basically, if the jewelry leaves a dark mark on the foundation, that's an indication that it IS real gold. If it doesn't change the color at all, then that's an indication that it's fake. Sorry that wasn't more clear in the video.
not all fake jewelry will stick to magnets, but no real gold jewelry should (except for clasps which always have a steel spring in them) So it won't definitively tell you if it IS gold, but it can tell you definitively if it is not. Hopefully this helps
I just bought a brooch at the thrift store. It has an Ancient Greek coin of Athena in it. Of course I thought it was a replica but it was pretty to me and it only cost $3 so I bought it. I did the makeup test and the brooch appears to be real. Not sure about the coin though.
What a cool find! Authenticating ancient coins definitely requires the help of an expert. My advice would be to have a local jeweler confirm that the piece is genuine gold first. If it looks good to them, maybe reach out to a museum or possibly an antique dealer who would have expertise on the coin itself. Let us know how it goes! :)
Thanks for commenting. We typically recommend a toothbrush in warm soapy water for most jewelry. The issue with using toothpaste is that it's abrasive, and it can actually wind up scratching soft metal and gems if you're not careful.
The toothpaste I watched was different. She put toothpaste on the item and then rubbed the item with toothpaste on a white towel. REAL gold leaves a dark mark on the white towel.
@ArdenJewelers ya.... I just tried the toothpaste on real gold. And it does work. But you must rub the test item with toothpaste on a cloth. If there is a dark spot, then it's gold. If not then it's fake. Also, I used the magnet from an guitar amp speaker. Ya.... that's strong enough.
I seen the same one and other ones say that if it leaves a dark streak it is fake.so witch one is the correct one dark streak =real or dark streak =fake
Since we didn't see a reaction on either the fake piece or the real gold piece, those tests didn't work well for us. The idea is that you're supposed to see some kind of reaction when you test a piece of fake gold (and we didn't). Of course, your results could be different. This is just what we were seeing. Hopefully that helps.
That's not a bad idea. We test gold for people at our shop every day. It sounds like they are using the touchstone and acid test we talk about later in the video. Testing gold can be tricky, and if you have a local source that you trust, that is often the best way to go.
Thanks for the feedback. Just keep in mind that many pieces of fake gold jewelry are plated. If you don't file them, you will just be testing the outer plating, and you'll miss that it's fake. Also, just so you know, when we test jewelry in our store, we always start with non-destructive tests (like the electronic tester), and we will only scratch a piece if absolutely necessary with the customer's permission.
@@suteners2111It's true there are many less destructive ways to test gold that are much more reliable too. These are just some inexpensive ones that can help at home, pawn shops should have gold testing equipment that they can use to prove what they're selling to you is legitimate.
That's a crazy coincidence. In this particular case, the K is actually part of 12K and the GF stands for Gold Filled. You can be sure of this because the 1/20 part at the beginning of the stamp is another indicator of gold filled jewelry (it states that the metal contains about 5% gold).
pawnshop tells me its real and appraise a good value, but when I test it and scratch it like you did they did not accept it anymore due to dents and scratch.... now I dont have money to pay for the rent..
Lmao what kinda pawnshop you go to? Gold is gold if it's real I ain't ever seen a pawnshop not take gold ,shit some will take scraps ,they gone low ball tf out you of course but that's what they do
Thank you for your comment. I asked around a bit and we're not familiar with that stamp. It may be indicative of the maker but I don't think that helps narrow down if it is real or fake.
Yes my name is Larry B. and I have a money clip it looks like gold and I left it in white vinegar for 9 minutes and nothing has changed magnet won't push or pull is there anything else I can do thanks a bunch Larry do I put my email in the comment
Hi Larry, thanks for commenting. We didn't have great luck with the vinegar test, so I wouldn't put much stock in that. Your best bet is to bring it in to a local gemologist to test it. We do this kind of thing for free. If that's not an option, I would recommend using one of the professional testing methods we mentioned at the end of the video (touchstone and acids or electronic tester). Just make sure to be careful/safe if you decide to use the acids. :)
Just love this video so much information out there but not all of it clear or right.
Thanks for making it easy to understand.
So glad that you loved the video!
Looking for clarification. You didn't say whether the real gold turns liquid foundation darker or fake gold. Please advise thank you.
Thanks for commenting, yeah, that definitely could have been a bit clearer in the video. The real gold should discolor the foundation. The fake gold should not.
I believe the real gold is the one that leaves the black streak. It was the 14k ring he used first that left the mark, and the fake piece that left no mark at all. You can Google the test gold with liquid foundation test and it will come up for. You. Hope my little bit of info helps you.
Fun and informative Great job Arden Jewelers and Angelo
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
To do toothpaste correctly you put toothpaste on the piece of jewelry and rub it on a white cloth, if it makes a mark it’s real gold. Works 100% thx for your videos 😊
Thanks for the tip! That makes a lot more sense than the way we were trying to do it. :)
What kind of tooth paste
Thank you sweetheart cause I ain’t gone hold you, I wasn’t tryna do all that……….
The toothpaste serves to polish gold. Real or fake.
@fdshibley2805 All toothpastes are the same thing. Nothing really changes, only the taste pretty much
So if the mark stamp says 18k, how do you know is not just 14k instead?
That's a great question. Most of the at-home tests we tried in this video are only about to give you an indication of whether the piece is gold or not. If you need to know the exact purity (14k vs 18k), you will want to user the more professional tests we talk about at the end (the electronic gold tester or the testing acids). Of course, you can also bring it in to our shop, and we can let you know. :)
Sorry to correct some information I've seen countless times that is improperly provided to viewing audiences.
Gold alloys ARE magnetic, this includes 18k, 16k, 14k, 12k, 10k and 8k and all the percentages of gold alloys in between ALL DEPENDANT on the size of the item, the strength of the magnet and the base metal used to achieve the percentage or karat that the item is.
😅
But your video was genuinely entertaining and informative. Thank you!😊
While they can technically be slightly magnetic, you won't see any gold alloy jump to a magnet, or stick to it strong enough to pick the item up which is what we were implying here that being said yes, gold alloys can be slightly magnetic on occasion so that could have been stated clearer. I appreciate the compliment thank you!
I left mine in vinegar and 1 piece in bleach
Can back after 8 hour shift and nothing happened on either. Should I be worried ?
Good question. We didn't see any reaction from vinegar on real or fake jewelry, but we did see the bleach react strongly with the fake jewelry. The fact that you didn't see a reaction is a good sign that your jewelry is real gold. That said, as we mentioned in the video, it's not a great idea to leave even real gold in bleach for a long period since it can affect the alloys in the metal.
Hi Angelo, enjoyed your video. You were very entertaining and I learned something too. By the way, I did purchase the gold tester upon your suggestion. Love it, thank you. Have a blessed day and the beard is new, like it! Joanne
Thanks for the kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, and I hope the gold tester works out well for you. If you ever need help identifying a tricky piece, you can always stop by the shop. :)
I had a roommate that bought a gold chain from a guy on the street. I told him that it was fake and he didn't believe me. I put it in a glass of bleach and the chain fizzed up just like the bird cage. It turned green the next day but he still didn't believe it was fake. We took it to the pawnshop and they literally laughed in his face. 😂 I'm taking gut busting, red faced, doubled over laughter like they were at a comedy show.
Oh man, that's rough. :) I'm glad to hear that the bleach test worked for you at least. I would be careful leaving anything in there too long though. Even real gold will suffer if left in bleach for more than an hour or so.
I used to live in San Francisco back in the late 80s early 90s and there was a store downtown near where I lived that was typical back then - full of anything you might want. pots and pans, bandanas, vhs tapes, socks... they also sold junk jewelry and fake gold chains. Once when I was in there I overheard the shop keeper and his customer dealing with stamping a "gold" chain for an extra charge. The owner caught me watching and told me I better mind my business. :/
@@theresi1008I don't know why you are telling everyone when my dad told you to mind your business. Apparently you don't take orders well. We never forget.
What happens if the foundation gets darker?
Good question. If the foundation gets darker when you rub the metal against it, that is an indication that the piece is real gold. :)
I love how excited he is to test gold. Bless this man.
Haha, you gotta love what you do. :)
@@ArdenJewelers It’s just fantastic to watch. Also I used these techniques to help my mother not get scammed into buying a one ounce gold bar yesterday. It was the magnet test that did it, btw. Thanks!
@@h8uall66 Way to go! You are very welcome. I'm so glad the video was helpful. :)
Hi, I was inspired to try some of these tests, and I just wanted to say that unless real gold comes out of jewelry findings from Jo-ann's and Michael's, the makeup test does not work to test if something is gold. I tested several items I thought might be gold and they all left a strong dark streak in the dry liquid makeup on my skin after rubbing just 15-30 seconds, but I also tested some very not gold items: cheap goldtone connectors, earring wires, beads, etc from craft stores that I bought myself and they also left a dark streak. Quite sad but I saw so many comments below with people convinced this works, I had to comment myself. I have not tried other methods yet.
Thanks for commenting. It's really helpful to hear about your experience. With this kind of test, I imagine that there are a lot of variables that can throw it off (type of foundation, quality of gold, etc.). If you need to be sure, your best bet is to have the pieces tested by a local gemologist.
If there's ever a fraction forget it. As a newbie I appreciate that.
Thanks for the feedback! I'm so glad the video was helpful to you. :)
And how can I tell if my piece isn't just brass? This is what tricks me. Brass isn't magnetic and I don't know if any of the other tests would appear different on brass the same as with gold. What do you recommend I do.
Good question! Typically, the easiest test for brass is the visual inspection. It looks a bit different than yellow gold if you have seen a lot of it. That said, if you need something more definitive, the electronic tester or the acids are the best. Either one should have no trouble detecting brass. Of course, if you're in the Sacramento, CA area we would be happy to test your piece for free. We do that kind of thing all the time.
@ArdenJewelers The liquid foundation test works! I just tried it on known gold rings and on cheap gold-colored rings. Would brass or any other metal turn dark or just the gold? Thanks
@@jennifermeegan148 The generally idea is that only gold will turn dark. That said, we don't have extensive experience with this particular test, and I'm sure there are metals that will give false positives. If you need to be very sure of what you have, I would recommend taking it in to a local gemologist to test.
@@ArdenJewelers hehe.. seems a lot of ppl are having the brass/gold concern for the make up test. :O
I just used the liquid foundation test and it worked perfectly. I used known gold rings and rings that we knew were not gold.
Very nice! Well done, and thanks for sharing your experience. :)
Real gold turned green on the dried foundation and fake n color change on my skin
@@sal.....7917 Very interesting! Thanks for sharing your results.
What if it's rhodium plated still same result possible?
Doesn't scratching the jewelry damage it.
Good question. Yes, it absolutely does. That's why when we test jewelry at our shop we start with non-destructive tests like the visual inspection, magnets, and electronic tester. Some pieces however have a thick plating, and you can only tell what the underlying metal is after scratching them. In this case, try to find an out of the way area to scratch that won't be too noticeable.
Thanks for bring good content about jewelry to us. How did you get all this knowledge?
I'm glad the video was helpful to you. I've been in the jewelry industry for the past few decades, and I've picked up a few things along the way. :)
Being observant I would assume 🎉
Thanks, I needed this knowledge for my Judaism exam.
Great video however with the foundation test you didn't say if it leaves a black mark doesn't mean it's fake gold or real gold? Or maybe I just didn't hear you say that. Thanks again
Good question. That definitely could have been clearer in the video. If the test is working, real gold should leave a dark mark in the foundation, but fake gold will not. Of course, it isn't foolproof, but it did work pretty well with our test pieces.
Black mark means fake
@@LindolfoVega Actually, it's the other way around. The genuine gold piece should turn the foundation dark. Sorry that wasn't more clear in the video.
And what if a piece is gold filled should that react as real gold or plated?
Good helpful video. Thanks for putting this out there.
Thanks for the kind words, and you're welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful to you.
Re toothpaste, I’ve used it to clean silver. It does have the capacity to over-clean-especially silver that’s been treated to darken the patimay
Yes, that's a good point. That's why we typically don't recommend toothpaste for at-home jewelry cleaning. You can checkout our full video on jewelry cleaning if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/SSdxDaGv2UQ/видео.html
For the electronic tester do you need a collaboration disc and if so where can you get it from the disc.
Great question. Yes, the electronic tester needs to be calibrated pretty much daily to provide accurate readings. We use an 18k yellow gold wedding band that we keep next to the tester. I have seen special calibration discs before, but we haven't had any need for them, so I couldn't recommend a good one. If you would like a band of your own, we can definitely help you find one. ;)
I have an antique hand mirror that I suspect to have gold holding in the glass. Should I just go see someone with the metal detecting gun or try the scratch test, perhaps? There are no identification marks on it so I think knowing the base metal of that part is important.
That's a good question. Your best bet would probably be to bring something like that in to a gemologist to test. Since the potential gold is surrounded by other metal, it will be tricky to use most of the tests in this video. The electronic gold tester would be the easiest and best option.
I have a gold bar weighing 274 pounds and i have been through test as you mentioned on your video and i got positive result. however, when testing with sulfuric acid the result turn brown gas and blue smoke, and when testing with nitric acid the result turn out green. i still have doubt that i have a real gold as result came positive. Could you please kindly explain precisely?
A gold bar that size would be worth about $10.5 million in today's market. Given that, I would probably avoid at-home tests and get the help of a professional. :)
😂@@ArdenJewelers
Wow, foundation. Who knew? An electronic tester would be nice to have, tho ❤🕊
It was an interesting find for sure! And yes, the electronic testers are very nice to have.
“You’re done”
Will any of these clean them lol. Ive had mine for over 2 years and its beautiful color is showing.
Ha ha, I wouldn't try using these testing methods to clean jewelry. That said, we do have another video on at-home jewelry cleaning you can check out: ruclips.net/video/SSdxDaGv2UQ/видео.html
Or, of course, you can always stop by our shop. We offer a quick free cleaning service. :)
❤ Thank You. I enjoyed your video.
I recently bought a gold testing kit
Because I wanted to test my gold flakes and Placer gold....DO you use it the same way on those ( ? )
And do you just use the neutralizer for cleaning the bar ( ? )
Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes we test flakes and nuggets the same way we test larger items. I would be careful of the really small flakes as they are sometimes so small that they just disintegrate when you scrape them. I usually drop a couple drops of neutralizer and then wipe off with a paper towel to clean it. Also, another tip is that most acid neutralizer is just baking soda mixed with water, so when you run out you can just make more at home. Hopefully this helps!
Does the color changing when rubbed on liquid foundation mean it’s real or not ?
If the foundation changes color (gets darker) that's an indication that the piece is genuine gold. I know that definitely could have been more clearly explained in the video.
Thank you for sharing! Will the device read 24k?
You're welcome! Yes, the electronic gold tester should have no trouble reading 24k gold. Just make sure you're testing the actual metal and not a thin plating on top.
Where can we buy this tester?
@@joeltimajo7979 a lot of places, Amazon eBay etc. it is a Key Gold Analyzer. Here's the Amazon link for it from the video description: amzn.to/3NwphAJ
What would be a good, genuine electronic tester for me to get for personal use? I like vintage shopping so the destructive options are out of the question, but it seems like this could work on the go!
Thank you for your comment, we recommend the Kee Gold Analyzer. It is a bit pricey but the cheap ones aren't very reliable. We have a link in the description to it on amazon.
Can you do a video on diamond testers and gemstones light testers please
Thanks for the suggestion! That would definitely be a fun follow up to this video.
Angelo! I was so excited to see you on here! I miss you guys, and hope you and your beautiful family are doing great!
Awe! You're the best. Yes, Angelo and his family are doing very well. Thanks for reaching out. :)
I thought the toothpaste test was to put some toothpaste on the item of question, wait a minute, then rub vigorously on a white cloth, and if it leaves a black smudge on the cloth it's real gold. It's not supposed to leave anything on the piece itself. Maybe the test I saw was different then the test you saw? I know the toothpaste test I saw and tried turned my white cloth black where I rubbed it( 10 quick vigorous rubs.) *Basic: The same as the foundation test. The same black streak.
Yes, I think you're right. That version of the toothpaste test seems to be more common and more effective than the one we saw. Maybe we'll have to do a follow up in the future. :)
How is the electronic gold tester called? i didnt find anything resembling it on amazon.. would love to own such a thing! in germany they just recently started to change the law on acid and now with the new mix i get alot of false positives or atleast i dont trust the acid anymore.. it takes minutes for the acid to work when before it was seconds, please tell me what this thing is called!
Thanks for commenting. There are few different electronic gold testers out there. The one we demonstrate in the video is available on Amazon here (affiliate link): amzn.to/3NwphAJ
It works pretty well, but it does need to be calibrated regularly, so make sure that you have a piece of good 18k gold handy for that.
Intersting content. Thank you so much!
You're very welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)
I heard that if 14k gold is paired with iron or nickel instead of copper or aluminum then the magnet trick won't work to determine whether or not it is true solid 14k gold. Is that true?
Interesting question, thanks for asking. Gold usually isn't alloyed with iron, and nickel isn't magnetic either. Most white gold is alloyed with nickel and isn't magnetic. In our experience, there are a few rare, genuine alloys that are magnetic (typically ones that use cobalt), but for the most part, if it sticks to a magnet, it's not gold.
Fantastic video! You definately make learning fun!
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)
@ArdenJewelers What about the flame test or the unglazed ceramic tile test? And does pool bleach work like laundry bleach?
These are all good questions. Maybe we'll have to do a follow up video down the line. :) I would guess that any bleach should work for the bleach test, but we have only tested laundry bleach.
You didn't say what the dark material is that you are scratching the jewelry pieces on. Is that sandpaper?
Good question. That is called the "Touchstone" in the Touchstone and Acid test. It is a dark stone like slate that has a finely grained surface that the gold will leave a visible trace on when it's scratched. Most acid kits come with a suitable touchstone for you to use.
Can you please review the "Sigma Metalytics" tester?
Thanks for the suggestion. We don't currently have access to one of their testers, but we'll definitely keep it in mind for future videos.
Thank you! Q. Any idea what a 1s is on the back of gold earrings means?
Good question. Without seeing earrings, it's difficult to say. That said, it's most likely a manufacturer's mark of some kind indicating who made them.
Thank you
Of course! I'm glad the video was helpful to you.
So I tried the bleach trick it damaged the chain but not too badly
If you saw a noticeable reaction to the bleach in under an hour, the chain is probably not solid gold. As we mentioned in the video, the bleach can damage real gold as well if you leave it in long enough though, so be careful.
thanks for this info! I have this clunky penant that I did the make up test on and it gave me dark streaks. I wanted to be even more sure. It's a rough cast face kind of similar to the brass import ones from Africa but not as polished. I washed the pendant with soap and water, towel dried it then used my polishing cloth. I redid the makeup with both foundation and powder and the second time the streaks were more pronounced. I did the ceramic test, my house is dark so it's hard to see 100%. The lines look dark so not gold but if you put the phone flashlight on the line it reflects like gold and if I tilt the surface away from me to catch the light, I can see gold specks all the way down. I just soaked the pendant in white vinegar for 1/2 hr and nothing happened to it, but I see cleaning brass with vinegar is also a normal thing. ugh. what next? Iodine? I don't have any normal way to check gold and would die if I took this thing in and it was just brass. So back to the makeup test, does brass also leave a dark streak? - for the life of me I don't have any brass on hand! sorry so long.
That sounds like a tough one. The easiest thing to do would be to bring it to a local jeweler or gemologist who can tell you for sure. If that's not an option, the touchstone and acid test kit (link in description) is probably the most affordable option to get a conclusive result. Just remember the warnings in the video. These are serious acids, so you can definitely hurt yourself if you're not careful.
@@ArdenJewelers I did the iodine test and it failed. I'm going to save up for the metal tester you suggested. I would be just giddy to own one. Maybe a Christmas present to myself! :D Thanks for your answer, looking forward to catching up on your content.
I found a gold colored bracelet and it’s not magnetic. Does that mean it’s gold for sure?
Good question! The answer is: no. If a piece IS magnetic we can be pretty confident that it's NOT gold. But, if a piece IS NOT magnetic it could still be fake. We need to do more testing to be sure.
Thank you so much for responding so quickly. Love in content you share
Of course! I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos. :)
The liquid foundation test. You didn't say if the first item rugged was real or fake. Should the real gold turn the foundation dark?
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, that could have been a lot clearer in the video. Basically, if the piece turns the foundation dark, that is a good indication that it is genuine gold.
Where can you buy the machine and how can you learn how to use them properly. Thanks again for the info
The link the the machine is in the description but I will copy it here as well. The machine needs to be a calibrated on a regular basis as well. We use a ring that is known 18k gold and calibrate it daily at minimum (sometimes more often if needed)
Oh yeah I had another question I remember a long time ago I did a test by taking the piece of jewelry and rubbing it on my forehead and leaving a black mark indicating it was real. Is that still effective? I think it has something to do with the iron in a person's body, so it is not the most reliable. Also I think it might have been for sterling silver if a black mark appears it means it's real sterling silver but I don't remember do you know anything about this? Again thanks for the video it was really great and you were super friendly and very thorough but not too thorough. Which I loved because I didn't have to fast forward.
The black mark on the forehead almost sounds like the liquid foundation test. Maybe that's what it was? I haven't heard of a test that works directly on the skin. I would definitely be skeptical of that. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, by the way. It always makes our day to read comments like this. :)
How can i check if its gold plated silver
Great question! Almost all testing methods from the most professional XRF machine to the toothpaste trick only test the surface of a piece. So, if the plating is thick enough, it will register as gold. That's why you see us filing in to each piece before we test it. You need to get through the plating to the metal underneath.
Now, filing is destructive, so we try not to file a piece in real life if we can help it. Also, we try to file in an inconspicuous area, and we always get the customer's permission first.
If you are testing your own jewelry, try to test an area that naturally has some wear on it. If you need to be sure, file into it first like we do in the video.
Why not just check the density (weight / water displacement)?
Things heavier than gold cost more so it would make sense to counterfeit
Density is a great way to get an idea if an item is gold or not. The main problem with this method is that you have to be very accurate and most people don't have a way to measure volume accurately at home. If you have access to a graduated cylinder and an accurate scale (or a specific gravity set-up) that can be a strong indicator if the item is gold or not. In our experience we have seen many counterfeits made with high density but low cost materials like Tungsten which has a very similar density to gold and then gold plated on top.
So 10k 14k and 18k have other metals in them. When mixed with a magnetic metal other than the percentage of gold that is in the 10 to 18K gold piece you will get a slightly magnetic charge no matter what if it has other magnetic metals into it
You're absolutely right about gold alloys. Where we really see this effect is with alloys of white gold (and platinum) that contain cobalt. In practice though, the vast majority of genuine gold alloys do not react at all to rare earth magnets. This makes the magnet test a very effective initial screening. :)
Does the Diamond Tester Really Work & Will It Work On Old Rare Dimensions
@@rachellbarnes799 there are a lot of reliable diamond testers out there. The really cheap ones are hit or miss but the nice ones are close to 100% reliable
I would like a vid. on the Touchstone Acid kits.
Thanks for the feedback! That really helps us plan our future content.
I enjoyed the video. I'm allergic to bleach so that test won't work for me. I like the foundation test.
Thanks! Yeah, we were surprised how well the foundation test worked. Pretty cool. :)
What if it’s 24k plated will test still work
That's a great question. Plating will trick most surface level gold tests (including fancy ones like the electronic gold tester). That's why you see us filing into each piece before we test. When we file, we get through any plating and test the metal underneath. Of course, filing is destructive, so if we determine that we need to file a piece, we always ask before we do so in our store.
@@ArdenJewelers most china fakes come in brand new packaging if it beats surface test not many investors will cut it in half or drill it I don’t think
Aliexpress is selling brand new 20g bars for 15$ with packaging that looks authentic, I can see a lot of china fakes passing through major chain suppliers
Sell 100 real sell 1 fake
Who is going to cut their 100$ gram of gold in half or their 5 grams of gold ?
Loved the video. Gonna try a few and see what happens. Have some jewelry from relatives and some I bought for crafting. Never know what I'll find.
Absolutely! I would start with the magnet test (it's so easy and cheap) and then go from there.
I really liked this so do some more
Thanks for the kind words! We do have some more educational content in the pipeline. Stay tuned. :)
Can i use the gold acid test on maybw fake fold flakes inbought from paydirt?
Good question. As long as you can scratch enough of the material on the touchstone to create a solid, easily visible line, the acid test should work. Testing flakes it always tricky, but using the acid test is not a bad way to go about it.
What does iab mean on gold necklace and is it real
That's a good question. That stamp doesn't have any standardized meaning that I'm aware of. It is most likely a manufacturer's mark indicate which company or jeweler made the piece. Unfortunately, that doesn't give you any clues on whether it is genuine gold or not.
Nice test
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
How can I get the electronic gold tester please?
Good question. There are a lot of them out there if you search. Here's a link to one that we like: amzn.to/3NwphAJ
What about a watch. I can’t put a watch in liquid
Good question. I wouldn't use any of the liquids we talked about on a watch (even if it's waterproof). Watches can be very tricky to test and different parts may be made out of different materials. I would recommend having a jewelry/watch expert help with that one if possible.
I have a similar gold filled bangle. Same stamp..and it does look gold but the edges are a little tarnished kinda looks like copper. Great video!
Oh and is it possible to have real gold without a stamp?
Cool! Yeah the bangle is most likely gold filled or plated. It is possible to have real gold jewelry that isn't stamped. This is relatively common especially in the repair world. Stamps can wear off with time, or they can be removed during other repair processes like sizing or replacing broken parts.
@@ArdenJewelers gotcha thx for the info! 😀
First time on your channel & it's very helpful... Thank you😊🤍🤝... By the way how much it cost to check the gold at jewelry store
You are very welcome, and thank you for the kind words. We really appreciate it! We typically don't charge to test gold at our store, but every shop is different. I would recommend calling your local jewelers/gemologists to see what their fees are before you go.
What is the K18 mark?
Hello, that's most likely an 18 karat quality stamp (indicating that the piece has approximately 75% gold content), but without seeing it in person, I couldn't say for sure. It could also be a maker's mark indicating which jeweler made the piece.
@@ArdenJewelers I found my good magnet, and it does attract to it. Do the Asians mix in steal in their gold jewelry?
That is the claim when I look up that mark. That its the Japanese version of 18K gold.
Its a fake, isn't it?
Japan gold
Thank you again
Loved the info didn’t understand the foundation of it turns black is it real or if it doesn’t leave a mark is it real.
Great question. If the foundation turns darker it could be an indication that it is real. in this test the real ring turned the foundation darker, while the fake item did not.
And what if a piece is gold filled should that react as real gold or plated? I cannot damage the piece.
Gold filled is a very thin layer of gold (though much thicker than electroplating) is placed on top of a base metal such as copper or brass. If it is in like new condition it may fake out some tests that only test the surface. The best way to check a piece that can't be damaged is with an electronic gold tester or an XRF (x-ray fluorescence) machine. Hopefully this helps!
@@ArdenJewelers yes thank you.
I have seen the toothpaste test done ✅, and it was done by rubbing the toothpaste like you did, but then for 30 seconds real hard rubbing it back and forth on a white cloth and if it turns black or has color at all it’s real gold❤
Thanks for sharing! Yes, I think that is a better way to do the toothpaste test than what we did. I would be a bit concerned about scratching the piece since toothpaste is abrasive, but of course it all depends on the situation.
If something is marked GF and has the fraction, it’s not “fake”. It’s marked exactly what it is. It’s just not pure gold. I make this distinction because there is value in pieces that are not pure gold. Many antique items were gold filled and have a value all their own. Don’t just toss them out as “fakes”.
Very true. There is a lot of high quality, valuable gold filled jewelry out there! The purpose of this video is just to teach how to identify if a piece is made out of solid gold or not. But, you're absolutely right, fake isn't the most precise wording there. :)
@@ArdenJewelers excuse me
lol what’s 14kGL
@@petersalinas805 Without seeing the piece in person, we couldn't say for sure. That said, the "GL" is most likely a manufacturer's mark indicating which company or jeweler made the piece.
@@ArdenJewelers thanks for the feed back man
Stay blessed
in my opinon best tests are the one that not destructive - chemical tests no go, then gold must have unique properties that hard to fake - weight to volume ratio + electro-magnetic properties, this should probably be enough
Generally I agree with this, the hard part is that most people aren't able to test for those at home with things they may have laying around. But yes if they had an accurate scale and a volumetric flask that would be a good way to determine authenticity
Great video! I ask though, why is there is tree growing out of your garbage can? 🤭
Haha, after Oscar the Grouch moved out we had to do something with the can. Reduce, reuse, recycle! :)
You R An Angel ! 🎉Angelic ! And a blast to watch on this video. Mother Eve luvs ❤️ U
Thank you so much! I'm glad the video was helpful to you. :)
Very helpful and informative
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video.
Interesting experiments. Don’t these various chemicals have the potential to ruin gold tone. Gold tone, albeit not real gold, is still desirable?…I’m confused 😬
You're absolutely right. A lot of these are what we would call destructive tests. If you think your jewelry may not be gold but you still want it to look nice, I would steer clear of the bleach test and any of the other strong chemicals.
Sometimes, you have to do a destructive test to get a positive identification. In this case, you can typically file a small, out of the way area and just test that spot (e.g. with the electronic gold tester).
Thanks for the enlightening information 👍 I will give the bleach a try
You're welcome! Just be careful when working with bleach and make sure you are in a well-ventilated area. Good luck!
Anyone know how one would test a ring properly for low karat gold like 7k/8k . Thanks
Good question! Lower karat gold can fake out a lot of tests. In this case, the electronic gold tester is going to be your best bet. Once you have eliminated the obvious fakes with the visual inspection and the magnet test, the electronic tester should give you a good indication of how much gold content is in your ring.
Of course, you can always stop by our shop, and our gemologists would be happy to test your jewelry as well. :)
tooth past i use it to clean them
Hi I bought a heart necklace pendent and I think that matelt that's coverd the pendent is goold
If somebody has any suggestions plesssss tell me
Thanks for commenting. You can try out the tests from the video, but I would also recommend getting a professional opinion if you are still unsure.
But gold filled is different from gold plated, isn't it?
Good question! Yes, they are different, but for the purposes of this video we treat them about the same. This is because neither one is solid gold, and neither one contains enough gold to hold very much value in a single piece.
For example, a normal piece of gold filled jewelry may have 1/40th of its weight be 12k gold. So, if the piece weighs 5 grams, it would have about 0.06 grams of fine gold. At today's gold market that would be about $5.03. That's still more than a gold plated piece which would have maybe $0.01 of gold, but it's not quite the same as a solid 14k piece which would be around $245.00.
Is the water test on google a hoax to? Cause i didnt see it on this
The electronic gold tester is $325 so I'll need to find a way to test cheaply to sell a few items on ebay....even a $25 investment for the acid kit is painful 😣
I agree. In your case, your best bet is probably to ask for help from a local gemologist/jewelry buyer. If you bring us a handful of pieces that you are interested in selling, for example, we won't charge you to test them and let you know what's real and fake. Then, if you like our offer, you can save some time posting on eBay, if not, there's no obligation.
Someone explain the liquid foundation one?
Basically, if the jewelry leaves a dark mark on the foundation, that's an indication that it IS real gold. If it doesn't change the color at all, then that's an indication that it's fake. Sorry that wasn't more clear in the video.
My fake and genuine gold fell off of 3 magnets but I don't really know if it's because the magnets are old.
not all fake jewelry will stick to magnets, but no real gold jewelry should (except for clasps which always have a steel spring in them) So it won't definitively tell you if it IS gold, but it can tell you definitively if it is not. Hopefully this helps
I just bought a brooch at the thrift store. It has an Ancient Greek coin of Athena in it. Of course I thought it was a replica but it was pretty to me and it only cost $3 so I bought it. I did the makeup test and the brooch appears to be real. Not sure about the coin though.
What a cool find! Authenticating ancient coins definitely requires the help of an expert. My advice would be to have a local jeweler confirm that the piece is genuine gold first. If it looks good to them, maybe reach out to a museum or possibly an antique dealer who would have expertise on the coin itself. Let us know how it goes! :)
White toothpaste and toothbrush works the best to clean jewelry
Thanks for commenting. We typically recommend a toothbrush in warm soapy water for most jewelry. The issue with using toothpaste is that it's abrasive, and it can actually wind up scratching soft metal and gems if you're not careful.
The toothpaste I watched was different. She put toothpaste on the item and then rubbed the item with toothpaste on a white towel. REAL gold leaves a dark mark on the white towel.
Interesting! I haven't seen that technique before. We'll have to give it a try sometime. Thanks for sharing.
@ArdenJewelers ya.... I just tried the toothpaste on real gold. And it does work. But you must rub the test item with toothpaste on a cloth. If there is a dark spot, then it's gold. If not then it's fake. Also, I used the magnet from an guitar amp speaker. Ya.... that's strong enough.
@@jamesnash6101 Thanks for the confirmation! That's good to know. Haha, yeah, a guitar amp magnet should do the trick. :)
I seen the same one and other ones say that if it leaves a dark streak it is fake.so witch one is the correct one dark streak =real or dark streak =fake
Meaning if there is "no" reaction on white vinegar toothpaste ir any of those means its a fake?
Since we didn't see a reaction on either the fake piece or the real gold piece, those tests didn't work well for us. The idea is that you're supposed to see some kind of reaction when you test a piece of fake gold (and we didn't). Of course, your results could be different. This is just what we were seeing. Hopefully that helps.
Thanks 👍
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. :)
Music 🎵🎶
I just take my stuff yo the store they have a stone and some kind of liquid and they tell me if it real or not real fast
That's not a bad idea. We test gold for people at our shop every day.
It sounds like they are using the touchstone and acid test we talk about later in the video. Testing gold can be tricky, and if you have a local source that you trust, that is often the best way to go.
As soon as you started damaging your jewelry with a file, I started looking for other videos.
Thanks for the feedback. Just keep in mind that many pieces of fake gold jewelry are plated. If you don't file them, you will just be testing the outer plating, and you'll miss that it's fake. Also, just so you know, when we test jewelry in our store, we always start with non-destructive tests (like the electronic tester), and we will only scratch a piece if absolutely necessary with the customer's permission.
LOVETHEVIDEO
Thank you! I'm so glad to hear that.
yeah, scratching 900$ earrings is out of option in pawn shop
@@suteners2111It's true there are many less destructive ways to test gold that are much more reliable too. These are just some inexpensive ones that can help at home, pawn shops should have gold testing equipment that they can use to prove what they're selling to you is legitimate.
@@ArdenJewelers ok, thanks.
The music is so much disturbing
Bro the golden bracelet is from kgf aldorado
That's a crazy coincidence. In this particular case, the K is actually part of 12K and the GF stands for Gold Filled. You can be sure of this because the 1/20 part at the beginning of the stamp is another indicator of gold filled jewelry (it states that the metal contains about 5% gold).
pawnshop tells me its real and appraise a good value, but when I test it and scratch it like you did they did not accept it anymore due to dents and scratch.... now I dont have money to pay for the rent..
Lmao what kinda pawnshop you go to? Gold is gold if it's real I ain't ever seen a pawnshop not take gold ,shit some will take scraps ,they gone low ball tf out you of course but that's what they do
R/4 write word...is it fake ?
Thank you for your comment. I asked around a bit and we're not familiar with that stamp. It may be indicative of the maker but I don't think that helps narrow down if it is real or fake.
Yes my name is Larry B. and I have a money clip it looks like gold and I left it in white vinegar for 9 minutes and nothing has changed magnet won't push or pull is there anything else I can do thanks a bunch Larry do I put my email in the comment
Hi Larry, thanks for commenting. We didn't have great luck with the vinegar test, so I wouldn't put much stock in that. Your best bet is to bring it in to a local gemologist to test it. We do this kind of thing for free. If that's not an option, I would recommend using one of the professional testing methods we mentioned at the end of the video (touchstone and acids or electronic tester). Just make sure to be careful/safe if you decide to use the acids. :)