How to Recognize Gold Plating

Gold plated jewelry appears the same as solid gold jewelry on first look.

Many necklaces, rings and other items appear to be made of solid gold, but these items may only be gold plated. Discoloration, density and magnetism all provide clues that an item could be plated.

Skin Discoloration

Skin discoloration occurs when friction builds between the skin and the jewelry item. Real gold should not cause this discoloration, but gold plating covering a base metal, such as copper or nickel, sometimes wears through, and the other, less expensive base metal could cause skin discoloration.

Item Discoloration

The gold plated item itself sometimes discolors. If the gold depositing is laid too thinly over the base metal, the plating becomes porous, allowing the base metal to migrate through the pores and create a discoloring compound on the plating's surface.

Density

Gold density averages about 19.3 grams/mL. If the density of the piece in question varies too greatly from this measurement, the gold may only be plating. Weigh the piece in question against a known gold piece, or measure the displacement of water when the piece is submerged.

Magnetism

Gold does not attract magnets. If the piece in question proves to be magnetic, gold plating might be covering a magnetic base metal.

References

• Latham Jewelers: How to Recognize Authentic Gold
• Texas AgriLife: Gold Jewelry
• Plating Clinic: Discolored Gold
• Plating Clinic: Discolored Gold Plate