Quick question on gold chains

Deadaman · Jul 25, 2019

There’s a church nearby that has a very big attic sale tomorrow, and I had the privilege to look through some of their jewelry stock before hand.

There were some very nice pieces that I’ll post tomorrow if I can snag, but my attention was caught by a gold looking chain, around 22’ with a decent amount of weight to it. It has no mark, and I’m just wondering if it possible that some gold items are not marked.

FloridaHunter · Jul 25, 2019

It is my experience that gold jewelry is marked 99% of the time. Sometimes the marks are hard to find, but I rarely take the risk unless its 50 cents or so.

JimDon · Jul 25, 2019

Agreed with Deadaman. Old items possibly but New always

xr7ator · Jul 25, 2019

Could be "baht" or from the middle east and 22 to 24k gold. 22 Feet is a BIG chain and better have some weight! (i know...you meant 22")

Deadaman · Jul 25, 2019

xr7ator said:
Could be "baht" or from the middle east and 22 to 24k gold. 22 Feet is a BIG chain and better have some weight! (i know...you meant 22")

Ah yes! The legendary 22 foot chain! But seriously, it felt like it had the weight of gold, but no mark. Is there anyways I could test it without chemicals?

ARC · Jul 25, 2019

There are what I call "flags"... both red and green flags.

Here are a few quick "Red flags" meaning "immediate lean to / suspect fake".

No marking stating its composition... Non soldered links OR clasp "jump rings"... magnetic even slightly (use most powerful magnet available to you without notice from others to see if it is magnetic... even slightly.)

xr7ator · Jul 25, 2019

AARC could tell you about some real chains that are that long, or close anyway. I don't remember how long the Atocha chains are but they are impressive.

Good idea with the magnet.

There are some electronic analyzers but your not going to be able to do that without notice.

Green flags would be the opposite. Well soldered links...no gaps where it could stretch or bend and end up falling off your neck. If it's got a funky "S" shaped clasp that you have to bend part of the S to close, snag it! Check out some 22k and 24k gold necklaces on ebay. If it is what I think it is this should help. I could be waaaay off.....
GL!

Nitric · Jul 25, 2019

I've learned that anything is possible. I've found chains both ways, some marked and ended up being fake and some not marked that ended up being real, and even some in between(pieced together with parts, some solid and some not, or different K). :laughing7:

AARC mentioned using a magnet, that is the best way to rule out the magnetic non Gold right away. Other than that? It's really hard to tell sometimes without acid testing. If it's dirt cheap? Go for it and take it to have it tested. After you play around with gold, experience is the only real way to tell and even then can fool you at times. You can tell by color,feel, how fast it absorbs heat, etc... It's all in fun!!

bigcaddy64 · Jul 26, 2019

Deadaman said:
There’s a church nearby that has a very big attic sale tomorrow, and I had the privilege to look through some of their jewelry stock before hand.

There were some very nice pieces that I’ll post tomorrow if I can snag, but my attention was caught by a gold looking chain, around 22’ with a decent amount of weight to it. It has no mark, and I’m just wondering if it possible that some gold items are not marked.

Did you happen to find a portion of Huascar's legendary birth chain? lol

randazzo1 · Jul 26, 2019

Nitric said:
I've learned that anything is possible. I've found chains both ways, some marked and ended up being fake and some not marked that ended up being real, and even some in between(pieced together with parts, some solid and some not, or different K). AARC mentioned using a magnet, that is the best way to rule out the magnetic non Gold right away. Other than that? It's really hard to tell sometimes without acid testing. If it's dirt cheap? Go for it and take it to have it tested. After you play around with gold, experience is the only real way to tell and even then can fool you at times. You can tell by color,feel, how fast it absorbs heat, etc... It's all in fun!!

Agrees

Rodbuster209 · Jul 26, 2019

Yep, magnet test it, if the chain is not magnetic, the clasp most times are, just offer them a buck or so for it, saying this is most likely costume since there are no hallmarks. Good luck!