YOUR JEWELRY STAMP MEANS NOTHING

A guy comes into the Store…

He comes in to Sell his 14k Gold Chain.

He says he Bought it from a Friend of his and Paid Quite a Lot of Money for it.

We run an Acid Test on the Chain (as we always do) to Authenticate the Karat Content of the Piece.

It’s NOT 14k!

It’s 10k instead!

We tell the Guy this, along with our Offer. He says “No Way is it 10k Gold. It’s Stamped 14k right on the Clasp!“

We have to Explain to him that just because the Clasp is Stamped one thing, doesn’t mean the Chain is that Content too.

It’s a Good Lesson for all…

Watch Out!

Not all Stamp Marks on Gold are Accurate. Some are Honest Mistakes. But some are Actually Meant to Deceive and Fool you into thinking you Bought a Higher Gold Content (and Paid More Money than it’s Worth).

You have to be Careful!

Just because the Clasp is Stamped 14k doesn’t actually mean the Entire Chain is 14k. Many times the Chain will have its own Stamp as well.

This is because 14k Clasps (like this Lobster Clasp Stamped 585, meaning 14k Gold), are the Norm, and most Jewelers use them for their Chains and Bracelets.

In fact, we’ve even had Vendors sell us Chains before with 2 Different Stamps on them.

So check the Stamps on both the Clasp and the Chain. Have the Jeweler or Seller do an Acid Test on the item just to be sure. All Good Jewelers should be able to acid Test the Gold in front of you to Prove the Actual Gold Content.

And it Could be an Accident

Sometimes the Wrong Stamp is put on an item by Accident. Mistakes happen to all of us and Jewelers are no Different.

But…

Some Unscrupulous People will do it to Rip You Off!

Buying a Gold Chain off a Street Vendor in New York is probably Not a Wise Choice.

Buyer Beware!

Sometimes some items don’t even have a Karat Stamp (although in the US, they Should!). Sometimes this Mark gets Buffed out or Polished out during Repairs or Sizings. It happens.

Normally the Jewelers will Re-Stamp the item so it’s Clearly Marked and Accurate. But sometimes they Forget and it Slips through the Cracks.

Having a Piece Tested takes only Seconds and it Doesn’t Cost a Thing.

If you’re unsure about the item, or the Jeweler for that matter, have them Test the Piece just to be Sure.

Same thing with Pawn Shops or Estate Dealers… Acid Test the Pieces.

Look for the Stamp Marks

Common Stamps Found On Jewelry is Here!

It’s your Money. It’s your Choice!

Both 10k and 14k are Fine for Jewelry. Just don’t Pay more than you should.

P.S.

Also, make sure you get an Appraisal on the Piece or make sure the Karat is Clearly Marked on your Receipt!

P.P.S.

Also Beware of Buying Gold Pieces off Ebay or Craig’s List. Many people don’t know what the Real Karat Content of their Jewelry is (like the Guy at the Beginning of this Post).

Many people rely on what they think, or what they’ve been told.

Often, this is Wrong!

Is your Gold Chain or Bracelet Stamped?

Do you know if it’s True?

It only takes a Minute to see!

Grab a 10x Jeweler’s Loupe and an Acid Tester and FIND OUT TODAY!