Start with documentation and hallmarking, not internet “home tests.” No single visual trick proves that a chain is genuine gold.
1. Read the seller’s exact description
“Gold-tone,” “gold plated,” “gold filled” and “solid gold” mean different things. Screenshots and titles can be misleading when the detailed specification says something else.
2. Examine the hallmark
For qualifying UK gold articles, a recognised hallmark is strong evidence because the item has been independently tested for fineness. Learn the compulsory marks in our UK hallmark guide.
3. Check weight and dimensions
A claimed solid-gold chain offered at an implausibly low price deserves extra scrutiny. Weight alone cannot authenticate gold, but it helps you spot inconsistencies.
4. Use a professional for valuable pieces
For a high-value purchase, an established jeweller or assay/testing service is preferable to destructive or unreliable DIY testing. Acid testing and electronic/XRF methods require correct technique and interpretation.
5. Know what magnets can and cannot tell you
A strong magnetic response can indicate non-gold components, but a non-magnetic result does not prove gold because many other metals are also non-magnetic.