QuestionI was given an old flat chain necklace and was going to discard it, but then saw that it was marked 14k. But the color does not seem to be yellow gold or white gold. In fact, until I saw the 14K marking I thought it was costume jewelry. When I look at it through a jeweler's loop I thought it may have been gold plated. However, even after cleaning, the color is pretty uniform throughout to the naked eye. Can items that are gold plated be marked 14k?
AnswerHi, Jane.
I have seen plenty of gold plated items stamped either 14k or 10k. Many do not have a makers mark. Can these be marked with a karat stamp? Yes, but only illegally. This breaks the law and is simple fraud.
As for you chain, some gold chains are given a thin plate of gold of a richer color, such as a flash of 18k color gold. The chain is still 14k or 10k but has a richer color which supposedly helps sales.
This plate can wear and give a sort of variation of color. The problem with real gold chains which are plated lightly to make the chain more "attractive" is that any solder work to repair the chain will make the richer layer disappear at the points of heat.
Jane, I suggest you have a jeweler take a look at your chain and let you know. With gold at the high price it is today, you certainly do not want to discard a karat gold item. Call a jeweler first since some do check metal and some do not.
Best wishes with the chain.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
