Solid Gold vs. Gold-Plated: How to Tell the Difference

One of the most common questions we get at Florida Gold Exchange is whether an item is solid gold or just gold-plated. The distinction matters a lot — solid gold jewelry has real melt value based on its weight and karat, while gold-plated items contain only a microscopic layer of gold over a base metal and are essentially worthless from a precious metals standpoint.

Here's how to tell them apart before you make the trip to a dealer.

Check for Stamps and Hallmarks

The fastest way to identify solid gold is to look for a karat stamp. Grab a magnifying glass and check the inside of rings, the clasp area of necklaces and bracelets, or the post of earrings. Common stamps include:

8K, 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K — These indicate solid gold and the purity level.
333, 375, 417, 583, 585, 750, 916, 999 — These are millesimal fineness equivalents (333 = 8K, 375 = 9K, 417 = 10K, 583/585 = 14K, 750 = 18K, etc.). European and imported jewelry often uses these numeric stamps instead of karat markings. You'll see both 583 and 585 on 14K pieces — 583 is the strict mathematical purity (14÷24), while 585 reflects a common practice of alloying slightly above the minimum. Both are 14 karat gold.
GP, GF, GEP, HGE, RGP — These indicate the item is plated, filled, or electroplated. Not solid gold.

GP stands for gold-plated. GF means gold-filled, which contains more gold than plating but is still not solid. HGE is heavy gold electroplate. RGP is rolled gold plate. None of these have meaningful melt value.

A missing stamp doesn't necessarily mean an item isn't gold — older pieces and handmade jewelry sometimes lack markings. That's where testing comes in.

The Magnet Test (Quick but Limited)

Gold is not magnetic. If a strong magnet (a neodymium magnet works best) sticks to your item, it's not solid gold. However, passing the magnet test doesn't confirm gold either — many base metals like copper and brass are also non-magnetic.

One exception: certain types of gold chains can contain magnetic components (clasps with steel springs, for example) even when the chain itself is solid gold. If a clasp is magnetic but the chain links aren't, that's not necessarily a disqualifier.

The same test works for silver. Authentic silver jewelry should not be magnetic. If you have silver-colored pieces that are stamped "925" but stick to a magnet, they're likely not silver.

Think of the magnet test as a quick way to rule items out, not a way to confirm them in.

The Weight and Feel Test

Gold is a dense metal. A solid gold ring will feel noticeably heavier than a plated one of the same size. If you've handled real gold before, the difference is often obvious just by picking it up. Plated items tend to feel light and hollow in comparison.

Color and Wear Patterns

Over time, gold plating wears through — especially on high-contact areas like ring edges, bracelet clasps, and chain links. If you can see a different-colored metal underneath the gold surface, the item is plated. Solid gold may show scratches but the color underneath will be the same.

Professional Testing

The definitive answer comes from a dealer's testing equipment. At Florida Gold Exchange, we use a combination of methods:

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis — Our Niton XRF Precious Metals Analyzer reads the elemental composition of an item non-destructively. For bullion coins and bars with standard alloys, XRF is highly reliable. For jewelry, it's an important data point but not the final word — some pieces have been surface-treated (through annealing or acid washing) in ways that enrich the gold concentration at the surface, making XRF readings appear higher than the actual bulk metal content. This is why we cross-reference multiple testing methods.
Electronic conductivity testing — The Sigma Metalytics PMV Pro measures electrical conductivity to verify purity. Non-destructive and effective even through packaging.
Acid testing — A small mark from the item is tested against acids of known strength. Different karat levels react differently, allowing precise identification.
Visual and tactile inspection — Experience matters. After evaluating thousands of items, trained specialists can often identify plated pieces on sight.

Testing is free and comes with no obligation. If your item turns out to be plated, we'll let you know — we won't waste your time with a fake offer. For a full visual reference of karat markings, fineness numbers, and silver purity grades, check out our Metal Content & Purity Chart.

What About White Gold and Rose Gold?

Color doesn't determine whether gold is solid. White gold is an alloy of gold with palladium or nickel (often rhodium-plated for shine). Rose gold is alloyed with copper. Both can be solid gold — the karat stamp tells you the purity, not the color.

We buy all gold alloys: yellow, white, rose, black, and tri-color. The offer is based on the actual gold content regardless of the color.

Common Items People Bring In

Here are some items we frequently evaluate:

Class rings — Almost always 10K solid gold. Often heavier than people expect.
Wedding bands — Typically 14K or 18K solid gold.
Chain necklaces — Can be solid or plated. Hollow gold chains are solid but lighter than they look.
Watches — The case or band may be solid gold, but the movement and internal components are not. We account for that in our offer.
Dental gold — Crowns and bridges are usually 10K–18K gold alloy and absolutely have value.
Broken jewelry — Damage doesn't affect melt value. A broken 14K bracelet contains the same gold as an intact one.

The Bottom Line

If you're not sure whether your items are solid gold or plated, the easiest thing to do is bring them in. We'll test everything for free, explain what we find, and make an offer on anything that contains precious metal. No appointment needed for small lots — just walk in during business hours.