Is Your Jewellery Really Gold or Silver?
With so much jewellery on the market at all price points, it is natural to wonder whether a piece is genuinely made from precious metal. The good news is that there are reliable ways to check — and at Corelune Jewellery, we are committed to full transparency about every piece we sell.
Look for Hallmarks
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for precious metal jewellery above a certain weight to carry a hallmark from one of the four UK Assay Offices (London, Birmingham, Sheffield, or Edinburgh). A hallmark tells you the metal type, its purity, the Assay Office that tested it, and often the year of testing.
- Gold hallmarks: 375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct), 999 (24ct)
- Silver hallmarks: 925 (sterling silver), 999 (fine silver)
- Platinum hallmarks: 850, 900, 950
Use a loupe (a small magnifying glass) to examine your jewellery for these tiny stamps, usually found inside rings, on the clasp of necklaces and bracelets, and on the back of earring posts.
The Magnet Test
Gold and silver are not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet near your jewellery — if it sticks or is noticeably attracted to the magnet, the piece contains ferrous (iron-based) metal and is not solid gold or silver. This is a quick pass/fail test, though note that some base metals used in plated jewellery are also non-magnetic.
The Acid Test
Professional jewellers use acid testing kits to verify gold purity. A small scratch is made on a testing stone, acid is applied to the scratch mark, and the reaction reveals the metal's purity. This is the most reliable at-home test for gold but does require a testing kit.
Skin Discolouration Test
Genuine gold does not react with skin oils and will not cause skin discolouration. If a gold piece leaves green or black marks on your skin, it is likely a low-quality alloy or gold-plated base metal rather than solid gold.
The Float Test for Silver
Real sterling silver will tarnish when exposed to air — fake silver generally does not. Tarnishing is not a flaw; it is a sign of authenticity. A real silver piece will respond to silver polishing cloths and tarnish removers in the way described in the product instructions.
When you shop at Corelune Jewellery, you can always trust that our pieces are exactly what they say they are — fully hallmarked and honestly described.