Solid gold jewelry is the ultimate store of value. Besides complementing your look and style, solid gold pieces make a worthwhile investment.
But what about gold-plated jewelry—their more affordable cousins? Should you make them a part of your estate collection if you wish to sell or pass them down? Are they even worth anything? Learn how to determine the true value of your gold-plated estate collection and make informed decisions.
What is Gold-Plated Jewelry
Gold-plated jewelry is made of a cheaper base metal such as bronze, brass, copper, or silver and coated with a thin gold layer. A gold layer is electronically applied on the base metal to give the jewels a gold-like appearance.
Typically, the thickness of the gold-plated layer varies between manufacturers. Most gold-coated pieces have a gold layer that’s between 0.5 to 5 microns thick. Because the gold layer is exceptionally thin, gold-plated jewelry has extremely low gold weight.
Unlike solid gold pieces, gold-plated jewelry isn’t very durable—it’s highly susceptible to wear and tear. The thin gold layer wears off with usage, revealing the base metal. Such pieces are more vulnerable to harsh chemicals, water exposure, and abrasive surfaces.
What is Gold-Plated Jewelry Worth?
Naturally, gold-plated jewelry has little scrap value. Due to the small amount of gold content, these pieces have low intrinsic value. Recycling the gold isn’t economically viable as it would take huge amounts of gold-plated items to recover a small amount of gold.
Factors that affect the value of gold-plated jewelry include:
- The gold content: Pieces with higher karat gold plating—24K and 18K—are more valuable.
- Base metal: Jewelry crafted from hardy and durable metals has a higher value. Pieces made with sterling silver or stainless steel may be more valuable than those made from cheaper metals such as brass or bronze.
- Condition: Scratches, excessive wear, and chipped gold plating tend to diminish the value of gold-plated rings, bracelets, or necklaces.
- Brand and design: Branded or designer gold-plated pieces may be worth more than generic ones. Gold dealers consider factors such as exclusivity, brand reputation, and craftsmanship when determining the true value of gold-plated jewelry. Pieces with intricate or unique designs may have a higher value.
Seeking jewelry appraisal services for a reliable jeweler can help you determine the value of your estate jewelry. At Doylestown Gold Exchange, we offer expert jewelry appraisals in PA when you need to buy or sell solid or gold-plated pieces. We also offer expert jewelry repairs to keep your estate pieces in tip-top shape.
Signs that Your Jewelry is Gold-Plated
With a little bit of effort, you can easily distinguish solid gold pieces from gold-plated ones. Common telltale signs that your jewelry is gold-plated include:
Gold-Plated Markings
Gold-plated pieces often come with specific markings that indicate gold plating. Some of the common stamps include:
- GP: Gold plating
- GEP: Gold electroplated
- RGP: Rolled gold plate
- HEG: Heavy gold electroplated
- HGP: Heavy gold plated
These initials indicate that a jewelry piece comprises a base metal covered by a thin layer of gold. Rolled gold plate pieces usually have a thicker layer of gold plating than the rest.
It’s Magnetic
Solid gold is a non-magnetic metal and, as such, isn’t attracted to magnets. Put your gold piece next to a powerful magnet and observe the reaction. If the magnet attracts the jewelry, it likely contains metal alloys. However, this test isn’t conclusive because even solid gold pieces aren’t made purely of gold. Pure gold is a soft and brittle metal. Jewelers add stronger metals such as zinc, copper, and silver to increase its strength and durability.
It’s Fading or Tarnishing
Solid gold pieces don’t fade or change their colors with age or continuous usage. Conversely, gold-plated pieces fade and change their color as the thin layer of gold fades, revealing the underlying metal.
The Price Tag
How much did you pay for your accessories? Gold-plated pieces are more affordable because they only contain a small amount of gold. While you may luck out and secure a solid piece during a garage sale, most pieces available at a steal are usually gold-coated.
It Floats
Drop your gold piece into a water container and check if it floats. Gold is a dense meter with a density of 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter. If the piece sinks to the bottom, it’s likely made of solid gold. A gold-plated piece will float or hover over the bottom.
It Discolors Your Skin
As a noble metal, solid gold is extremely non-reactive and will never discolor your skin. Your jewelry is likely gold-plated if it leaves a greenish or bluish tint after direct contact with the skin. Discolorations result when a piece of gold jewelry has other metals mixed in to form an alloy.
How to Know if Gold-Plated Jewelry is Worth Anything
Taking your pieces to a reputable jeweler in Bucks County, PA, is the only fail-safe way to determine the true value of gold-plated jewelry. Jewelers have a refined capability to authenticate the gold content of a gold piece with exacting precision.
Reputable jewelers have evolved past destructive testing methods such as the acid and scratch test when determining gold purity or content. They use sophisticated machine tests such as the electronic tester and XRF spectrometer to verify the gold content.
The Sigma Metalytics Machine uses electromagnetic waves, while the XRF spectrometer uses X-ray waves to distinguish between metals. Since they can readily identify the type and quantity of each metal, you can easily tell the gold content in each piece.
Best of all, appraisal services that use mechanical tests help you determine the worth of your gold-plated pieces without compromising the jewel’s value or integrity. Working with a reputable jeweler helps you authenticate the value of your gold piece without chemical or mechanical damage.
Get Credible Estate Jewelry Appraisals
Whether you need it for sheer curiosity or estate planning, Doylestown Gold Exchange can help you with estate jewelry appraisals. Our graduate Gemologist, Greg Glemser, will help you determine the quality of your solid gold and gold-plated jewelry and their current value. We appraise each piece individually and consider factors such as materials, craftsmanship, and condition when assigning value to your estate pieces.
With each evaluation, we’ll give you an accurate valuation for your collection to help you make an informed choice whether to sell or hold on to it.
Need help with estate jewelry appraisal? Schedule an assessment today or visit our store for a fast and efficient service.
