How to Tell If My Gold, Platinum or Silver Jewellery Is Real?

Throughout history, fake gold jewellery has fooled even the most experienced buyers. From counterfeit Cartier Love Bracelets, which have flooded the market with near-identical replicas, to fake Rolex watches that use gold-plated cases instead of solid gold, the world of counterfeit gold is full of deception. In 2012, a wave of gold-plated tungsten bars even tricked investors, proving that gold fakes can appear shockingly real. More recently, some gold pieces have been found to be filled with non-precious metals while still passing visual inspections.

So, how can you tell if your jewellery is genuine? Whether you’ve inherited a sentimental heirloom or purchased a new ring, here are some key tests to determine if your jewellery is the real deal.

No.1 Look for Hallmarks

Gold, silver, and platinum jewellery often include hallmarks, which are small stamps that verify the metal content and authenticity of a piece. Understanding these markings can help you distinguish between real and fake jewellery.

Purity Mark - Indicates gold content in parts per thousand:

  • 375 – 9K Gold (37.5% pure gold)
  • 585 – 14K Gold (58.5% pure gold)
  • 750 – 18K Gold (75.0% pure gold)
  • 916 – 22K Gold (91.6% pure gold)
  • 999 – 24K Gold (99.9% pure gold)

Assay Office Mark - Signifies the testing office that verified the metal content:

  • Leopard’s Head – London Assay Office
  • Anchor – Birmingham Assay Office
  • Rose – Sheffield Assay Office
  • Castle – Edinburgh Assay Office

Maker’s Mark - A unique symbol or initials representing the jeweller or manufacturer who produced the piece. For example all of our original pieces at Baldwin's feature a sleek 'B' for the marker's mark.

Hallmarks are a reliable way to confirm authenticity, but counterfeiters sometimes replicate them. If you're unsure about a hallmark’s legitimacy, take your jewellery to a professional jeweller for verification.

No.2 Perform the Magnet Test

Most precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum, are not magnetic because they lack the iron, nickel, or cobalt content required to be attracted to a magnet. If your jewellery sticks to a magnet, it likely contains a significant amount of base metals, which could indicate that it is either counterfeit or gold-plated instead of solid gold.

Why is Gold Not Magnetic?
Gold is a non-ferrous metal, meaning it does not contain iron and therefore does not react to a magnetic field. However, some gold alloys, particularly lower-karat gold (e.g., 9K), may contain trace amounts of magnetic metals like nickel, which can create a slight magnetic pull. Similarly, some counterfeit jewellery makers use non-magnetic base metals to imitate the properties of real gold.

How to Perform the Magnet Test:

  • Hold a strong magnet (such as a neodymium magnet) close to your jewellery.
  • Observe if the piece is attracted to the magnet.
  • If it sticks, it is likely made from non-precious metals or has a core of base metal beneath a thin gold plating.
  • If it does not stick, this is a good sign, but further tests are needed to confirm authenticity.

While the magnet test is a quick and easy way to identify fake jewellery, it should not be the only test used.

No.3 Check for Tarnishing

Gold, silver, and platinum react differently to environmental exposure, which can help determine if your jewellery is genuine.

Why Doesn't Gold Tarnish?

Gold is one of the least reactive metals, meaning it does not corrode, rust, or tarnish over time. This is because gold does not react with oxygen or moisture in the air, unlike many other metals. Even when exposed to harsh environments, pure gold remains unchanged.

However, lower-karat gold (such as 9K or 14K) may tarnish slightly over time due to the presence of alloyed metals like copper or silver. This is why older lower-karat gold pieces may appear slightly dull or darkened compared to higher-purity gold.

Why Does Silver Tarnish?

Unlike gold, silver is highly reactive and tarnishes when exposed to air and moisture. This happens due to a reaction with sulfur-containing compounds in the environment, forming a dark, blackish layer of silver sulfide on the surface.

Tarnishing is completely natural and does not mean the silver is fake—it can be easily removed with silver polish or a gentle cleaning solution.

What About Platinum?

Platinum, like gold, does not tarnish. It is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, making it one of the most durable metals used in jewellery.

However, platinum can develop a patina over time, which is a soft, aged finish caused by small surface scratches. This patina does not affect the metal's quality and can be easily polished back to its original shine if desired.

Signs to Look For:

  • Gold jewellery should not tarnish—if it does, it may be gold-plated rather than solid gold.
  • Silver will naturally tarnish over time, developing a black or grey coating.
  • Platinum does not tarnish, but it can develop a patina that some people find desirable.

If you're unsure about the authenticity of your jewellery, cleaning it and observing its reaction over time can provide useful clues.

No.4 Conduct the Scratch Test

The scratch test is a simple way to check if your jewellery is made from real gold, silver, or platinum by observing how it reacts when scratched against a hard surface.

Gold Scratch Test

Gold is a relatively soft metal, and pure gold (24K) is especially malleable. When scratched against an unglazed ceramic tile, real gold will leave a golden-yellow streak, while fake gold or gold-plated jewellery may leave a black or grey mark.

Silver Scratch Test

Silver is also a soft metal, though slightly harder than gold. When scratched against a ceramic tile or testing stone, real silver will leave a light grey or silver streak.

If the mark appears dark or black, the piece may be silver-plated rather than solid silver. Silver-plated jewellery often reveals a base metal underneath after multiple scratches.

Another method for silver testing is using nitric acid—when applied to real sterling silver, it turns green, while fake silver turns brown or black.

Platinum Scratch Test

Platinum is one of the hardest and most durable precious metals, significantly more resistant to scratching than both gold and silver.

Unlike gold, which wears down when scratched, platinum does not lose material—instead, it develops a soft patina over time.

When scratched against a testing stone, platinum will leave a silvery-grey streak. If the jewellery does not leave a mark or shows a different color beneath, it is likely not solid platinum.

Important Notes:

  • Perform scratch tests on an inconspicuous area to avoid visible damage.
  • Jewellers often use a testing stone combined with acid to confirm results.
  • Scratch tests alone are not foolproof—they should be used alongside other methods like weight testing and hallmark checks for the most accurate identification..

No.5 Test with a Nitric Acid Kit

The nitric acid test is one of the most reliable ways to determine whether your jewellery is made of real gold, silver, or platinum. This method works by observing how the metal reacts when exposed to nitric acid, as different metals produce different reactions.

How the Nitric Acid Test Works:

  1. A jeweller or tester will choose a small, inconspicuous area of the jewellery to apply the acid.
  2. A tiny scratch is made on the surface to expose the underlying metal.
  3. A drop of nitric acid is applied to the scratched area.
  4. The reaction is observed to determine the authenticity of the metal.

Gold and Nitric Acid

  • Real gold does not react to nitric acid, as gold is non-reactive and resistant to corrosion.
  • Gold-plated or fake gold will show a reaction, often turning green or milky white, indicating the presence of base metals.
  • Different karats of gold react differently:

Silver and Nitric Acid

  • Sterling silver (92.5% silver content) reacts by turning creamy white when exposed to nitric acid.
  • Fake or low-quality silver may turn green or brown, indicating a base metal like copper or nickel.
  • Silver-plated jewellery will often reveal a different color underneath as the plating dissolves.

Platinum and Nitric Acid

  • Platinum does not react with nitric acid, much like gold.
  • If a piece of jewellery is suspected to be platinum, but bubbles or changes color, it is likely another metal or a lower-quality alloy.
  • Platinum is highly resistant to acid, making this test an excellent way to confirm its authenticity.

No.6 Assess the Weight

One of the most effective ways to determine whether jewellery is made of real gold, silver, or platinum is by evaluating its weight. Precious metals are significantly denser than base metals, meaning that real jewellery should feel heavier than similarly sized pieces made from non-precious materials.

Gold Weight Test

Gold is a dense and heavy metal, with pure gold (24K) weighing 19.3 grams per cubic centimetre. Lower-karat gold, which contains alloyed metals, will be slightly lighter, but still heavier than counterfeit materials.

  • Gold-plated jewellery or pieces made from brass or copper will feel noticeably lighter than solid gold jewellery.
  • A gold chain or ring that feels too light compared to its size is a strong indicator that it may be fake or plated.
  • A common trick used by counterfeiters is to use gold-plated tungsten, as tungsten has a similar density to gold. This makes other tests, such as scratch or acid tests, necessary.

Silver Weight Test

Silver is less dense than gold, with a density of 10.5 grams per cubic centimetre.

  • Sterling silver jewellery (92.5% silver content) will feel heavier than base-metal alternatives such as aluminium or nickel.
  • Silver-plated jewellery will often be lighter than solid silver due to the core metal being brass, copper, or zinc.
  • If a silver ring or necklace feels unusually light, it may be plated or made from a different metal.

Platinum Weight Test

Platinum is one of the heaviest precious metals, with a density of 21.4 grams per cubic centimetre—heavier than both gold and silver.

  • Real platinum jewellery should feel significantly heavier than gold or silver of the same size.
  • Due to its high density, platinum is difficult to counterfeit using cheaper metals.
  • If a ring or bracelet claimed to be platinum feels light, it is likely a fake or made from a less valuable metal.

How to Perform a Weight Comparison Test

  1. Use a precise jewellery scale to weigh your piece in grams.
  2. Compare the weight to a verified gold, silver, or platinum item of similar size.
  3. If your jewellery feels too light for its size, it could be fake or gold-plated.
  4. If available, check weight specifications from a trusted jeweller to compare measurements.

No.7 Professional Appraisal

If in doubt, take your jewellery to a professional jeweller or appraiser for an expert opinion.

They have the tools and knowledge to determine its authenticity.

At Baldwin Jewellery, we specialize in high-quality, authentic jewellery and have been running for over 60 years so you can assured of our experience in this field.

If you need assistance verifying your jewellery, feel free to pop in to our shop located in Tavistock, Devon or visit our workshop page for more details about our jewellery services. If you're in the market for legitimate jewellery, feel free to explore our collections of authentic jewellery for peace of mind.

Stay Cautious & Only Use Trusted Sellers

In addition to counterfeit pieces, be aware of prevalent scams designed to exploit unsuspecting individuals:​

  • Fake Gold Jewellery Sales: Scammers may approach you in public places, offering to sell gold jewellery at a fraction of its value, claiming they need immediate cash. These items are often counterfeit or of significantly lower quality than represented. ​
  • Found Ring Scam: A person pretends to find a gold ring near you and offers it for sale, suggesting it's valuable but they're willing to part with it cheaply. The ring is typically a worthless trinket.
  • Roadside Emergency Scam: Individuals claim they're stranded without money and offer gold jewellery as collateral for a loan. The jewellery is usually fake, and the scammers disappear once they have your cash. ​

Protective Measures

  • Stay Skeptical: Be wary of unsolicited offers, especially those that seem too good to be true.​
  • Avoid Impulse Decisions: Don't let high-pressure tactics push you into hasty choices.​
  • Verify Authenticity: Always consult with a reputable jeweller before purchasing or accepting jewellery from unknown sources.​

By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from these common scams and ensure the authenticity of your jewellery purchases.