Does "Fake" Gold Still give a low Tone??

Garrett424

Silver Member
Jun 20, 2014
3,164
2,284
Granite, Maryland
Detector(s) used
Teknetics Omega 8000
Teknetics Delta 4000,
Deteknix XPointer,
Fiskar's Big Grip Digger & my old Army Trench shovel for the tough jobs
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
********UPDATE******

IT'S REAL!!!!! See post #9 in this thread.
********************


I posted my junk jewelry finds a few days ago and a poster pointed out that an earring I thought was junk might be gold.
Upon closer inspection I found it it was indeed 14K gold marked in lettering so small I had to use my loupe to read it.

So naturally, I went back and re checked all my junk and I found an unmarked ring that I think just may possibly be gold as well.

After the magnet test, I tested it on three different detectors against a gold wedding band and sure enough, I'm getting identical tones.

I did a scratch/scrape test on porcelain and sure enough, I saw tiny gold flakes and no black whatsoever. I don't have a gold test kit yet.

All of the gold plated stuff I have found so far rings up high because of the copper, silver and whatever else is under the plating. This particular ring does not. It's a strong, solid low tone like a nickel.

So, are those who fake gold savvy enough to trick metal detectors and does some "fake" gold ring low like a gold ring, nickel or a pull tab??

Tomorrow I'm gonna' walk into a pawn shop to see what I can get for it to find out one way or another but I would like to know for future reference. Again, it's unmarked but looks as if it may have been re sized at some point. If so, that could possibly account for the lack of any markings.

So I would like to know if anyone cares to enlighten me. I would also like to know what kind of non plated metal looks and acts like gold if it is not gold??

I'm not overly optimistic but hey, you never know; especially where this hobby is concerned. It never hurts to get more eyes on a possible treasure.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, and here are a few pics:

Possible Real 001.JPG Possible Real 002.JPG Possible Real 003.JPG
 

Last edited:
Upvote 0

RJ55

Bronze Member
Jul 2, 2014
1,449
1,186
western NC
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
XP Deus/Garrett Pro Pointer II
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Pretty ring even if it turns out to be fake.
 

OP
OP
Garrett424

Garrett424

Silver Member
Jun 20, 2014
3,164
2,284
Granite, Maryland
Detector(s) used
Teknetics Omega 8000
Teknetics Delta 4000,
Deteknix XPointer,
Fiskar's Big Grip Digger & my old Army Trench shovel for the tough jobs
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I'm now thinking it may be gold filled rather than gold plated. If that turns out to be the case I figure I can get about 3 or 4 bucks for it. What will I do with all of that cash??

I won't know for sure until I get it checked out. It sure looks and acts like gold though.
 

Last edited:

atomicscott

Bronze Member
Aug 18, 2011
1,564
1,055
Riverside CA
Detector(s) used
Current: Nokta Makro Simplex+, Teknetics Patriot, Fisher Gold Bug (original), GP Pinpointer (Garrett Clone) Lesche. Owned: Omega 8000, Minelab X-Terra 505, Fisher F2, Tesoro Vaquero, & Compadre, Whit
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I posted my junk jewelry finds a few days ago and a poster pointed out that an earring I thought was junk might be gold.
Upon closer inspection I found it it was indeed gold .

So naturally, I went back and re checked all my junk and I found an unmarked ring that I think just may possibly be gold as well.

After the magnet test, I tested it on three different detectors against a gold wedding band and sure enough, I'm getting identical tones.

I did a scratch/scrape test on porcelain and sure enough, I saw tiny gold flakes and no black whatsoever. I don't have a gold test kit yet.

All of the gold plated stuff I have found so far rings up high because of the copper, silver and whatever else is under the plating. This particular ring does not. It's a strong, solid low tone like a nickel.

So, are those who fake gold savvy enough to trick metal detectors and does some "fake" gold ring low like a gold ring, nickel or a pull tab??

Tomorrow I'm gonna' walk into a pawn shop to see what I can get for it to find out one way or another but I would like to know for future reference. Again, it's unmarked but looks as if it may have been re sized at some point. If so, that could possibly account for the lack of any markings.

So I would like to know if anyone cares to enlighten me. I would also like to know what kind of non plated metal looks and acts like gold if it is not gold??

I'm not overly optimistic but hey, you never know; especially where this hobby is concerned. It never hurts to get more eyes on a possible treasure.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, and here are a few pics:

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1048549"/> <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1048551"/> <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1048552"/>

Spend $20 on ebay and get a gold testing kit. Best way to know. Junk jewelry can give a gold tone, depending on size & conductivity of the target
 

signal_line

Silver Member
Nov 14, 2011
3,601
1,835
Detector(s) used
XP Deus
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
It looks like a nice ring--should be some markings on it if it's real.
 

redcobra8u

Bronze Member
Jan 24, 2014
1,221
1,336
Los Angeles
🥇 Banner finds
1
Detector(s) used
Minelab Excal II, Garrett AT Pro, CTX3030
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Buy that test kit ASAP. You never know. 10K can vary on my AT Pro since due to the low percent of gold.
 

SusanMN

Silver Member
Jun 1, 2007
4,534
4,098
Minnesota
Detector(s) used
Tiger Shark, Xterra 705, Makro Legend
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
It is so important to have your own gold tester. Sometimes rings have no marks because they have worn off, and sometimes items may be marked gold but aren't. Just just never know for sure until you test it.
 

OP
OP
Garrett424

Garrett424

Silver Member
Jun 20, 2014
3,164
2,284
Granite, Maryland
Detector(s) used
Teknetics Omega 8000
Teknetics Delta 4000,
Deteknix XPointer,
Fiskar's Big Grip Digger & my old Army Trench shovel for the tough jobs
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
It is so important to have your own gold tester. Sometimes rings have no marks because they have worn off, and sometimes items may be marked gold but aren't. Just just never know for sure until you test it.

Thanks. I still haven't checked it out.
I'll try and get a test kit as soon as I can.
 

OP
OP
Garrett424

Garrett424

Silver Member
Jun 20, 2014
3,164
2,284
Granite, Maryland
Detector(s) used
Teknetics Omega 8000
Teknetics Delta 4000,
Deteknix XPointer,
Fiskar's Big Grip Digger & my old Army Trench shovel for the tough jobs
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
*******UPDATE******

I took the ring to the pawn shop and sure enough, it's real, unmarked 10K gold.
It also has been re sized and that explains the lack of any markings. I left that place smiling.

I was so happy I forgot to even ask the dude what he'd give me for it (should I decide to let it go of course).
Sometimes I'm a real idiot.

I'm really glad I got it checked out and that the news was good
I thoroughly LOVE this hobby.
 

Last edited:

atomicscott

Bronze Member
Aug 18, 2011
1,564
1,055
Riverside CA
Detector(s) used
Current: Nokta Makro Simplex+, Teknetics Patriot, Fisher Gold Bug (original), GP Pinpointer (Garrett Clone) Lesche. Owned: Omega 8000, Minelab X-Terra 505, Fisher F2, Tesoro Vaquero, & Compadre, Whit
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
*******UPDATE******

I took the ring to the pawn shop and sure enough, it's real, unmarked 10K gold.
It also has been re sized and that explains the lack of any markings.

I'm glad I got it checked out.

Saweeet! Congrats man!
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top