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Is It Real? How to Buy Scrap Gold

If you've ever broken a gold necklace, then you are probably familiar with scrap gold. Scrap gold is made up of gold fragments that are no longer usable in their original form. Usually, these fragments will be refined and then used to make new jewelry or other gold items.

If you would like to buy scrap gold, you need to be able to identify if the gold is authentic before you claim it for refining. Below you will find some simple tests you can run to find out if your gold is real or fake.

1. Run a Magnetic Test

While a negative magnet test doesn't definitively prove that scrap gold is fake, a positive test is a red flag. Place a magnet near a piece of gold and watch to see if it moves, if it does, it's failed the test and saved you money.

2. Look for Discoloration

While real gold is constant throughout, fake gold will tend to have abnormal splotches that resemble darkened spots.

3. Run the Water Test

This test is easy to remember if you think of it as the egg test. When eggs go bad, they float to the top of the surface, but if they drop to the bottom, they're fresh. Similarly, real gold is heavy, so if it feels lightweight and flimsy, it's unlikely to be real. By dropping it in water, you can see if it's light enough to have some buoyancy that can tip you off to it being a fake.

3. Bend It

Real gold is soft and can be bent with tools, while fake gold isn't as malleable. If you can't put a small mark on it, it's a sign you should pass.

4. Does It Look Cheap?

As a general rule, if a gold piece looks inexpensive, there's a good chance it is. If it looks like the jeweler didn't put the time and attention into perfecting the piece, it's likely because they didn't feel it was worth the effort. After all, it won't provide enough compensation for their efforts. But if you notice delicate, fine details and special finishes, it's likely that it' real and the jeweler did their best to enhance its worth and reduce flaws in the piece. 

Buying scrap gold can be a challenge, especially if you don't know if you have the real deal. Contact local experts if you're ready to sell or buy scrap gold. 

About Me

Sharing Quality Time with Family Members

Growing up, my parents didn’t get to spend a lot of time with me. They both had busy careers. Whenever they got a free moment, they always gave me and my sister their undivided attention. My mom often helped me with craft projects at school. One time, she made me a lovely box to put my Valentine’s Day cards in. She carefully glued red construction paper to an old candy box. Then, she glued a white, lace bow on top of the box. I cherished this homemade box for many years. On this blog, I hope you will discover some fun, craft projects you can do with kids. Enjoy!

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