How to tell real gold without hallmark or marking inside

[49er12]

Curious, do you need a kit or self test, is this more common in older gold no markings.

 

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[tamrock]

I just go to a pawn shop or PM-coin shop and ask what they'd pay and they'll test it and give you an offer and your not under any obligation to sell. A jeweler will more often want to charge you.

 

[Emil W]

Older gold pieces and even some newer, smaller pieces sometimes aren't marked.

Here's a link to the typical gold test kit as used by virtually every jeweler and gold buyer. I've used these kits for decades.

Amazon product ASIN B09D6HR4XR


But you need to understand the correct way to use it. These acid tests make it extremely easy to tell if an item is gold plated or just gold-colored metal, but you have to know how to test gold-filled pieces because the gold outside is often rather thick, so you have to be sure to go deep enough to go through the sold gold exterior since it's the inside metal you need to test.

 

[pepperj]

I just go to a pawn shop or PM-coin shop and ask what they'd pay and they'll test it and give you an offer and your not under any obligation to sell. A jeweler will more often want to charge you.

I had a kit at the counter, ask and they received the free answer.
Some just wanted to know, some were looking to sell.

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Older gold pieces and even some newer, smaller pieces sometimes aren't marked.

Here's a link to the typical gold test kit as used by virtually every jeweler and gold buyer. I've used these kits for decades.

Amazon product ASIN B09D6HR4XR


But you need to understand the correct way to use it. These acid tests make it extremely easy to tell if an item is gold plated or just gold-colored metal, but you have to know how to test gold-filled pieces because the gold outside is often rather thick, so you have to be sure to go deep enough to go through the sold gold exterior since it's the inside metal you need to test.

I remember a jeweler rubbing the gold on a certain stone for test

 

[Emil W]

I remember a jeweler rubbing the gold on a certain stone for test

Yes, that's the test I showed. It's by far the most common test and is easy enough to do, and the kit is cheap enough, that anyone can handle testing on their own.