Is Your 14K White Gold Ring Authentic? What to Look For

Question
Hi

I just asked a question about my fiancee's engagement ring and another item popped up. The jeweler said the they ordered a 14k white gold setting from their distributer. But when I looked inside the band there was no marking or stamp denoting it as being 14K. Is that normal? Could they have given me some lesser quality metal that looks like white gold? Should I get this tested somewhere to see if it's real 14k white gold and how might I go about doing that.

Answer
David, I just sent off your first answer.

Now as for markings, the ring should be marked but if received in an unfinished condition the ring may not have been stamped. Unfinished means the store was to save a few dollars finishing charge from the manufacturer and have their jeweler finish the ring.  In that case it is up to the store to stamp the karat mark and a sellers mark to stay in the USA federal regulations.

Normally, items are stamped even if semi finished.  Stamps can be sanded away with finishing.  Still, the quality mark should be replaced to verify the quality of the metal.

If the store has been in business a while and plans to stay in business, they will not do that selling unmarked or illegally marked gold items.  I seriously doubt any hankypanky here and simply believe there is some other reason for the lack of quality mark.

Not knowing the business at all, I cannot comment on integrity or honesty, etc.  I must assume they are honest in what they sell unless somehow shown otherwise.

To have the ring tested, call a few jewelry businesses and ask if they test gold.  If they say yes, go and have the ring tested.  The testing is quick and at a reasonable fee if not free.  Call first since some store do not have a jeweler in-house to do the testing.

God Bless and Peace.  Thomas.  June 1, 2008   4:03pm