How to Spot Fake Gold Jewellery Before You Sell
Plated and filled jewellery can look convincing. These checks will not replace professional testing, but they will tell you what to expect before you walk into a branch.
Home checks that help
- Magnet test — gold is not magnetic. A strong pull means base metal inside.
- Look for wear — plating rubs away at edges and clasps, revealing a different colour underneath.
- Check the stamp — a missing or unusually crude stamp is worth noting.
- Weight in hand — gold is dense and feels heavier than it looks.
What home checks cannot tell you
None of these methods reveal the exact karat, and a gold-plated brass piece can pass the magnet test. Only proper testing gives a number you can price against.
Professional testing methods
Acid testing compares a small streak against reference solutions and is accurate and quick. Electronic and XRF testing reads the metal composition without damaging the piece and is used for higher value items.
Testing at Gold Buyer Sri Lanka is done in front of you, free of charge, with no obligation to sell afterwards.
If your item turns out to be plated
It happens more often than people expect, particularly with gifts and imported fashion pieces. There is no charge for finding out, and knowing is better than assuming.
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