Is Your 14K Gold Jewelry Authentic? Identifying Fake Gold & Brass

Question
Hi, Thomas,
I bought a 14K gold rope chain necklace on an online auction site.  When it arrived in the mail, I noticed the color was darker and a different shade than any of my other 14K gold jewelry.  I can only describe it as more brassy. I'm concerned because the color looks similar to that of inexpensive costume jewelry.  There is a flat, oval-shaped link that connects the chain to a c-ring clasp; this is marked 14kt and ITALY.  The seller assures me that it was purchased at a reputable, local jeweler.  He says that Italian gold is a different color than gold from the US, but I'm still not convinced.  Have you ever heard that Italian gold is a different color, and if so, why?

Answer
Barbara, the truth is Italian gold is what ever color the manufacturer wants to make their particular gold mix.  White gold has more of other metal and less copper, yellow gold has copper and silver, rose gold has more copper and less of the other metals. Color has to do with the mix or alloy the manufacturer uses for a particular item.  Italians make good jewelry items and can use any color of gold. Generally the yellows are much like the colors from other places. There is not a special Italian gold color.

In chains in yellow gold, the colors are fairly consistent.  The difference is when a chain is given a quick breath of a more yellow gold as a plate on the surface to make the gold look more rich. A higher karat plate over 14k will look more yellow.  When the richer yellow wears away, the color is like most any other 14k yellow gold. When a chain with this yellow plate is repaired, the original 14k color shows as the very thin extra rich color is removed in the process.  Perhaps, your chain is normal.  I would have to see it to know for certain. Then again, perhaps the chain is simply needing a polish to make it bright and less brassy looking.

Besides trust in the seller, the only way to know for certain about the chain is to have the metal tested by a local jeweler. The test is normally not free but is not expensive at all.


Best wishes with your chain, Barbara.

Get back to me if you need more info. Fair enough?

God Bless.  Thomas.  July 29, 2008  7:38pm