Questionhi i am from glasgow scotland in the uk and asking advice on the medal item i have been trying to find out about this and cant soive tried the few tests on a website to find out if it was gold eg it is not attracted to a magnet it is quite heavy (59.7grams)rubbing liquid foundation on arm and dusting with powder then rubbing it over to see if it leaves a mark which it did and also scoring a piece of non ceramic and to c if it left a mark thesse might be old wives tales but they all make me think it is real but i dont want to look a fool if it wasnt can you give me any advice thank you
AnswerRhona, thanks for this question. We visited the UK last autumn and the only regret was not having more time in Scotland. We decided when and if we are able to again fly that direction, your country is the primary destination.
Now, to your question. You say you do not want to look a fool. In that case, forget all the "tests" you have used so far on your item. : ) I say that out of total kindness and honest advice.
First, the only common metals attracted by a magnet must contain iron, that is, be ferrous or iron based metals. The only precious metal to have a reaction to a magnet is a platinum alloy containing cobalt. Yes, cobalt is magnetic but you simply are not going to run into that metal in any normal circumstance. Gold is not made with cobalt. Silver is not made with cobalt. Gold alloys are not attracted to a magnet. That is an old wives tale, perhaps invented by the old wife's husband.
Try samples of other metals on the ceramic plate or the "non ceramic" to see if a mark is left. Try a few coins to start, knowing coins of small value are not gold. Being softer, copper colored items will work well but a pound coin may also. Do the same with the cosmetic foundation and coins or other handy metal items. Cosmetics are abrasive with very minute particles which act like very fine sanding papers or powders. With gold, the result is very dark, almost black and without the color of gold. That is one reason many ladies who have these cosmetics on the neck will find a dark smudge from wearing a gold necklace. Movement of the necklace causes minute sanding of the gold in particles so fine the color is lost to the light, leaving a dark smudge. Other metals will do the same.
The heavy weight means nothing without a known sample for comparison or the ability to make a determination of the "specific gravity" of the piece in question. I have seen quite heavy mens rings made of a lead-like metal and covered with a thick gold plate. These were illegally marked as 18 ct (we say kt) gold. These fakes were quick to deceive if not examined.
What to do? Rhona, you need a jeweler with the proper acid testing supplies or an electronic metal tester to determine what your item is NOT and to then access what it most likely IS. What I mean is the testing may more easily determine it is not gold than establish what sort of gold it it. That way, no one is foolish and the results are based on proven method. Fair enough?
God Bless and Peace. Thomas, with a heart to revisit Scotland.
