Kennon Young

How to

Test Gold at Home

Test an item of gold for authenticity using everyday tools Gold is a precious metal that comes in a variety of colors and different levels of fineness. The value of a piece of jewelry or another object will depend greatl...

How to Identify Gold Ore Rocks: Tests, Characteristics, & Types

Determine if you’ve struck gold If you’re out prospecting, you want to be sure what you’re taking home is the real stuff—gold ore. The best way to tell if gold is real is to hire a professional assayer, but that�...

How to Tell If an Item Is Fake or Real Sterling Silver

These markings and tests will tell you if something is sterling silver or not How do you figure out if something is silver, sterling silver, or something else entirely? Sterling silver is exceptionally valuable, so it’...

How to

Spot Fake Gold

The value of gold constantly changes which results in the precious metal being more susceptible to counterfeiting. It’s important to know how to spot fake gold to ensure you get what you’re paying for. There are numb...

How to

Polish Stones

Rock collecting can be an enjoyable hobby for both adults and children. It's inexpensive to do and a great way to get out and enjoy nature. If you have young children, it's also a nice way to teach them about science. If...

How to

Determine if a Sapphire is Real

Sapphires are typically thought of as blue but can also be red, yellow, orange, green or other colors in between. Natural sapphires are found in the ground or in the water. Synthetic sapphires are created in a lab. Look ...

How to

Clean Fake Jewelry

Costume jewelry can be really pretty even if it is not made of precious gems. But keeping it beautiful can be a task. Costume jewelry can’t take wear-and-tear the way fine jewelry can. It tarnishes from water, air expo...

How to

Identify Gemstones

You can quickly identify most gemstones by observing a few basic characteristics, like color and heft. If you want a more thorough, accurate identification, though, you will need to use special tools to examine the inter...

How to

Identify Raw Diamonds

Diamonds which have not yet been cut are referred to as 'rough' or 'raw' diamonds. To identify whether the stone you have is a diamond, you can do a quick visual evaluation to rule out other gemstones. From there, you’...

How to

Tell if an Emerald Is Real

Many "emeralds" are actually other green gems, green glass, or imitations built from several materials. Conduct several tests before you reach a conclusion one way or the other, since results are not always definitive wi...

The Best Way to Clean Your Gold Jewelry at Home

Keep your gold jewelry bright and shiny with these expert tips If you notice your gold jewelry pieces are starting to look dull or dingy, then it’s time to give them a thorough cleaning. A mixture of dish soap and wa...

How to

Polish Gold

Gold is a beautiful, but soft precious metal that requires gentle use. You should only polish gold once or twice a year. Polishing gold too much can cause damage. But, with special care and effort, you can have your gold...

How to

Polish Rocks by Hand

You can easily turn a rough or dusty rock into a polished and shiny stone, and you don’t need a tumbler or fancy equipment to do it! Start by making sure the rocks are clean by scrubbing off any dirt or grime from thei...

How to Spot the Difference between Real and Fake Turquoise

All the signs that turquoise stones, crystals, and jewelry are real There’s no question that turquoise is one of the most popular gems with its gorgeous blue hue, ancient history, and spiritual ties. If you’re lookin...

How to

Cut Off a Ring

A ring that is too tight can cut off circulation to your finger, causing the finger to swell and making the ring difficult or impossible to remove. This can be scary, painful, and potentially very damaging to your finger...

How to

Keep a Ring from Turning Your Finger Green

Costume jewelry is a fun way to change your look, but green stains on your fingers are no fun at all! Sometimes the metals in inexpensive jewelry can oxidize and leave stains on your skin. By preventing the green stains,...

How to

Test Platinum

Platinum is a precious metal that looks like silver or white gold to the untrained eye. But platinum has many characteristics that make it unique. It is harder than other precious metals, so it resists scratches. It also...

How to

Polish Rocks with a Dremel

Polishing rocks is just one of the many ways you can use a Dremel rotary tool. Clean off the rocks you want to polish with soap and water before you get to work. Select one rock to polish at a time, secure it in a vice c...

How to

Clean Pandora Jewelry at Home

If your Pandora jewelry is looking a little dull or dingy, you don’t have to rush out and make an appointment at the jewelry store. Cleaning your Pandora jewelry at home doesn’t take long, and you can even do it with...

How to

Clean Your Silver Jewelry

Silver is a versatile metal with a soft luster that makes for beautiful jewelry. Unfortunately, silver is also pretty fragile compared to many more commonly-used metals, and it can quickly develop tarnish, stains, or scr...