Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA)
Jeweler
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Forum Comments (2)
1) Magnet test - Gold is not attracted to a magnet. If it is, then it is most likely gold plated and therefore not real.
2) Vinegar test - Add a few drops of vinegar to the suspect metal item. If the metal discolors or tarnishes, then it is not real gold.
3) Optical or visual Inspection - Real gold will be professionally metal hallmarked with metal stamps indicating as either of the following - [10K], [14K], or [18K].
4) Scratch marks - Look for scratches or abrasions on the yellow metall. If there appears to be a different color metal underneath, then it probably is gold plated.
1) Breathe on the stone - if it appears to be misty for a few seconds, then it is most likely not a real diamond.
2) Water test - Drop the stone into a cup or glass of water, if it sinks rapidly, then there is a very high probability the stone is diamond. Other simulated stones may float or linger.
3) Reading test - Place the flat side of the stone on or over the small writing from some text in a book or magazine. If you can read the letters through the stone then it is likely NOT diamond.
A more definitive way to differentiate diamonds from other simulated stones is to take the stone to your local jewelry professional. A trusted jeweler with the credentials of a Graduate Gemologist (GIA) will be able to provide you with a conclusive answer whether the stone is diamond or not.
Co-authored Articles (9)
How to Get a Knot Out of a Necklace
Stress-free strategies to untangle thin necklacesYou’re about to put on your favorite necklace, but you discover a huge knot in the center of the chain. Yikes! While necklace knots can be tricky to untangle, there are ...
How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry at Home with Baking Soda
Make your gold and silver jewelry shine like new again with these homemade cleaners Does your favorite piece of jewelry look dull or tarnished? Before you run to the store and spend money on a special jewelry cleaner, y...
How to
Make Fake Jewelry Silver Again
While jewelry that's made of pure silver or gold doesn't tarnish, cheaper alloys in fake jewelry will start to change colors and oxidize over time. If you have fake jewelry that's lost its original shine or color, there ...
How to
Remove a Ring with a String
Learn to smoothly remove a stuck ring from your fingerIf your ring is stuck on your finger, don’t panic! There are several techniques you can try to remove it. The string wrap (dental floss) technique can work in simpl...
How to Easily Reshape a Bent Ring
Learn how to unbend gold, silver, and copper rings using a mandrel Over time, rings can become bent due to regular wear and tear or because your ring size has changed. To prevent bent rings, do your best to keep your rin...
How to
String Pearls
Stringing pearls can be necessary when making jewelry or when restringing worn out strands of pearls. Bead stringing kits are available or most supplies can be bought separately at most craft or jewelry making stores. Re...
How to
Clean a Pearl Necklace
To maintain the beauty of pearls, understanding how to care for them properly is essential. While the compact crystalline structure of pearls makes them very durable, they're soft by nature and this reality can't be over...
How to
Test Jewelry for Lead
Lead is often used to shape and stabilize jewelry, and is very common in vintage and plastic pieces. Swab tests can be used to quickly identify the presence of lead in jewelry, or you can pay an accredited lab for a more...
How to
Make a Pearl Necklace
Learn how to make a gorgeous, durable DIY pearl necklacePearls are always an elegant accessory. But over the course of time, the line holding your pearls together will likely break at some point, causing your pearls to s...
