Determine/Appraise Gold Karats Using Your Eyes

Let's learn to become pro in appraising gold karats using only your naked eye without using appraising equipment. But first we know different types/colors of gold jewelry.

Classifications of Gold:

YELLOW GOLD - is named due to its distinctive yellow color. A mixture of gols with the base of metal silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) in equal proportions of 50-50 ration.

RED/ROSE GOLD - named due to its distinctive yellowish re color. It is a mixture of gold with the base metal COPPER.

WHITE COLOR - by nature there is no such thing as white gold. It is only thru the addition of the alloy nickel, zinc and copper, plated with Rhodium.

CHINESE GOLD - a misnomer term which classify a high karat jewelry gold usually 22K and above. Usually stamped with Chinese characters and I inscriptions. Due to rich content of gold, its appearance is always yellow and therefore commands a high price but never higher than pure gold.

Factors in Appraising Gold Karats By Its Color, Luster, Durability, Type of Locks, Markings, and Casted Design:

KARAT: 24K

• Color: Deep Gold
• Luster: Dull
• Durability: Soft and may show deformations
• Locks: Hook Type
• Stamped Markings: 999.9 Fine Gold
• Casted Design: Credit Suisse; Lady Cameo; Queen Elizabeth; Mickey Mouse; Hello Kitty

KARAT: 22K

• Color: Deep Golden
• Luster: Dull
• Durability: Soft and may show deformations
• Locks: Hook Type
• Stamped Markings: 916
• Casted Design: Chinese Characters and inscriptions; Bangkok des. Baths Chains; Dragon Design

KARAT: 21K

• Color: Deep Golden
• Luster: Dull to Polished
• Durability: Quite soft to hard
• Locks: Hook Type for Singaporean Gold
• Stamped Markings: 875
• Casted Design: Saudi Gold with sword, palm tree and snakes, Arabic design

KARAT: 18K

• Color: Yellow to reddish yellow (copper)
• Luster: Polished
• Durability: Hard and maybe accompanied by stones
• Locks: Ring or clip type
• Stamped Markings: 750
• Casted Design: Italian (Tri-color); Saudi; Japan designs; Singapore

KARAT: 14K

• Color: Paler Yellow; White and rose
• Luster: Polished
• Durability: Hard and maybe accompanied with stones
• Locks: Ring or clip type
• Stamped Markings: 858
• Casted Design: Lowest of Italian (tri-color) Singapore, Thailand and Bangkok

KARATS: 12K; 10K and 8K

• Color: Paler Yellow; White and rose
• Luster: Polished
• Durability: Hard and maybe accompanied with stones
• Locks: Ring or clip type
• Stamped Markings: 500; 416 and 333 respectively.
• Casted Design: Lowest Italian (tri-color); Singapore, Thailand and Bangkok

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN APPRAISING GOLD JEWELRY

1. Imported pieces usually have stamp markings under the setting or on the locks of chains and bracelets.
2. Locally manufactured Hand Made or made to order jewelry usually don’t stamp markings.
3. Chains coming from Thailand called BAHT are the typical bamboo designs. BAHT is a term representing their unit of weight, 1 BAHT is equal to 15.2g. Lowest Thai/Bangkok gold coming in Is 14K.
4. High purity gold jewelry usually have uneven surfaces, they are dull and unpolished thus traces seem to resist when rubbed against the black stone.
5. Imported Singapore gold coming in as 916 (22K). Standard and reddish in color not deep golden yellow as Bangkok gold and Chinese gold. Lately, there are a lot of Singapore gold pieces coming in as 18K but are only 16K and there are even 14K pieces.
6. Italian gold jewelry are 18K standard and stamped as 750. 14K Italian gold pieces exported to the US, HK, and Philippines markets are possible due to market demand.
7. Light and gradual reddening or discoloration can be seen in 14K gold traces but more than 5 seconds, sometimes it is necessary to check other parts of the jewelry.
8. White and rose gold jewelry have the same effects in acid testing as that of the yellow gold, but watch out for imitations made of stainless steel.

For more Gold Appraising Methods just follow this link: Know your Gold