Are Crafted Chains Real Gold?
Gold has been associated with beauty and wealth for centuries, from coins to fancy jewelry pieces such as chains. Skilled artisans make handcrafted jewelry; every piece is usually unique, and attention is paid to every aspect. For handmade gold chains, any type of gold, be it pure or alloy, can be used to achieve more unique and artistic designs. But many buyers may wonder, “Are crafted chains real gold?”
However, just because a chain is handcrafted doesn't guarantee that it contains real gold—so how can you tell?
Real and Fake Gold Chains
Are crafted chains real gold? Not all are made of real gold; some may be gold-plated, while others might even be made to appear like genuine gold chains.
Pure Gold Vs. Gold Alloys
Pure 24-karat gold is too soft and malleable for use as a jewelry construction material; therefore, it cannot be trusted with chain production. To strengthen and provide better scratch resistance in chains today, most are composed of alloys of gold and other metals, such as copper or silver.
Gold-Plated Chains
People with little jewelry knowledge often mistake fake gold-plated chains for genuine ones. Unfortunately, these chains only contain a thin coating of actual gold over an inferior base metal such as brass or copper, which could eventually wear away to expose the base.
Read more: What is considered handcrafted jewelry?
How Can You Tell Whether a Chain Is Real Gold
When purchasing a gold chain, buyers must understand how to verify its accuracy before deciding, “Are crafted chains real gold?” Here are a few methods:
1. Check for a Hallmark
A hallmark can help verify if a gold chain is genuine - this small sign on it indicates its purity (14K or 18K, for instance). Furthermore, in certain countries they're mandated by law so buyers are aware of exactly which metal content their purchase contains.
2. Do a Magnet Test
Real gold is not magnetic. With access to a strong magnet at home, use this to your advantage to perform a Magnet Test of any chain that could contain precious stones; if its mass draws towards it instead, this could indicate another material than gold being present in its composition.
3. Ask for Certification
When purchasing gold chains from a reputable jeweler, always request a certificate of authenticity which details both its purity and other essential details about it. This document should provide all relevant details.
Why Real Gold Matters
Many individuals prefer genuine gold chains over gold-plated or gold-filled chains for various reasons. Therefore, it is important to know, “Are crafted chains real gold?”
1. Durability
Real gold outlives other forms of jewelry, even when mixed with other metals. It is less likely to tarnish and wear away, making real gold an investment with longer-term potential.
2. Resale Value
Even broken or outdated gold chains hold value; scrap gold can even be sold. Real gold will always fetch higher than plated or filled jewelry when trying to sell your chain; exactly how much its worth depends upon purity and weight of gold content.
Due to the thinner layer of gold used, gold-plated jewelry does not hold much resale value compared to solid gold chains. It simply doesn't weigh enough to command as high a price when selling.
Read more: What is scrap gold worth?
3. Hypoallergenic Properties
Many people suffer from metal allergies, particularly nickel and copper. Real gold jewelry has proven its hypoallergenicity by not causing irritation to sensitive skin - ideal for anyone wanting to wear gold without risk. This makes real gold an attractive option among its rivals such as platinum.
Read more: Are gold nuggets pure gold?
The Bottom Line
Are crafted chains real gold? Answering this question depends on several different elements. While most handmade chains are constructed using real gold, others could be gold-plated or filled. Therefore, it's vitally important that when purchasing any jewelry item, it be of real gold content; look out for hallmarks, perform simple tests, and seek certification if unsure.
Real gold chains offer durability, value, and style at the same time. When searching for jewelry to stand the test of time and style wisely, a real gold chain will retain its value and beauty regardless of wear or storage needs; you don't have to wear or keep it just for special events!
