How to test gold at home

What do the numbers in a hallmark mean?

Gold jewelry from Europe and Israel usually has a three-digit hallmark. The number indicates how many parts out of 1,000 are pure gold. This is the quickest way to understand what you’re holding:

Hallmark	Karat	Pure gold content
375	9K	37.5%
417	10K	41.7%
585	14K	58.5%
750	18K	75%
875	21K	87.5%
916	22K	91.6%
999	24K	99.9%

The hallmark is usually found on the chain clasp, on the small plate next to it, inside a ring, or on the pendant’s bail. Use a magnifying glass or your phone camera’s zoom.

Codes that indicate plating

Some markings look like gold hallmarks but actually indicate that the piece is not solid gold:

Marking	Meaning
GP	Gold Plated: a thin layer of gold over another metal
GEP / HGE	Electroplated gold
RGP	Rolled Gold Plate: a thin rolled layer of gold
GF	Gold Filled: a thicker layer, but still not solid gold
925 on gold-colored jewelry	925 silver with gold plating, not gold
14K GP / 18K HGE	The karat refers to the plating only

If you see "14K" on a piece of jewelry priced at just a few dozen shekels, you're almost always looking at plating. We explain this phenomenon in depth in our guide to how plating is sold to you at the price of gold.

Density test with a kitchen scale

This is the most accurate at-home test, and it won't damage the jewelry. Gold is very heavy for its volume, so you can calculate its density using an accurate digital scale (0.01 grams) and a glass of water:

1. Weigh the jewelry dry and write down the weight.
2. Place a glass of water on the scale and tare it.
3. Lower the jewelry into the water, suspended by a thin thread, without letting it touch the sides or bottom. Write down the number displayed: this is the volume of water it displaced.
4. Divide the dry weight by the second number.

Result (grams per cm³)	What it probably is
19.3	24-karat gold
15.2–15.9	18-karat gold
12.9–14.6	14-karat gold
10.3–10.5	925 silver
8.4–8.7	Brass or plated metal

Example: A chain weighing 3.9 grams that displaces 0.29 grams of water has a density of about 13.4. This is consistent with 14-karat gold. For very lightweight jewelry, under one gram, a kitchen scale isn't accurate enough, so the test only gives you an indication.

Ceramic tile test

Gently rub a hidden corner of the jewelry against the unglazed back of a ceramic tile. Real gold leaves a gold-colored streak. Plated metal or brass leaves a dark or black streak. Important: this test leaves a small scratch, so don't do it on new jewelry or jewelry that isn't yours.

An unbelievable price is a warning sign

Gold is a commodity traded on the stock exchange, so it has a price floor. To give you a sense of scale: a thin 45 cm 14-karat yellow gold box chain costs ₪599 at our store, and a 45 cm Spiga chain costs ₪899 (prices as of October 2026). A "14K gold" chain of the same length priced at ₪80 isn't a bargain. It's plated.

How we label gold

All the 14-karat gold jewelry on our website is made of solid 14-karat gold, not plated, and each product page lists the material and dimensions. For our gold photo-engraved pendants, you can choose the gold weight and karat (14, 18, or 21).

Frequently asked questions

Is real gold attracted to a magnet?

No. But a clasp, spring, or core made of another metal may be attracted, so a magnet alone isn't proof.

Is a 585 stamp absolute proof?

It's a strong indication, not proof. Combine it with a density test and a reasonable price. For complete certainty, consult a jeweler with an XRF analyzer.

Does 14-karat gold tarnish?

14-karat gold doesn't tarnish like silver. Sometimes it can look dull from cream or sweat, but this comes off with lukewarm water and soap.

What's the difference between white gold and yellow gold of the same karat?

The amount of pure gold is the same. The difference is in the other metals in the alloy, and white gold is usually also plated with rhodium for a bright white finish.

When do you need a professional test?

At-home tests provide an indication, but there are cases when it's better not to rely on them: inherited jewelry you want to sell, buying an expensive item secondhand, or jewelry that seems too heavy or too light for its size. A jeweler or lab can test it with an XRF analyzer, which identifies the metal composition without damaging the jewelry, or use an acid test on a touchstone. The test takes just a few minutes and usually costs little compared with the value of gold jewelry.

When buying new, the most important test is choosing the seller: a store that lists the material, karat, and dimensions for every product and offers returns is a store with nothing to hide.

White, rose, and yellow gold: how do you test them?

All the methods in this guide work for every gold color. White and rose gold of the same karat contain the same amount of pure gold as yellow gold; the only difference is the other metals in the alloy. Note that white gold is usually rhodium-plated, so the streak on a tile may appear grayish. That's normal and doesn't indicate a fake.