How to Identify Unmarked Gold! (Thrifter's Guide)

Comments · 421

• KE

  @Kelseyolivethrifts · 4 months ago (edited) · pinned

  Link to shop my finds: <a href="https://kelseyolive.com/">https://kelseyolive.com</a><br><br>This week, I have finally gotten the time to sit down and answer one of your most burning questions for me: how do you go about identifying unmarked / underpriced jewelry while thrifting?! <br> <br>I have drafted a comprehensive 12 step system for you to follow the next time you&apos;re out hunting for treasure! In this tutorial, we will cover: <br> <br>1) Initial Visual Scan <br>2) Magnet Test <br>3) Weight &amp; Density <br>4) Texture &amp; Feel <br>5) Color Consistency <br>6) Wear Patterns <br>7) Solder Points <br>8) Historical Construction Clues <br>9) Hidden Markings <br>10) Setting Quality <br>11) Patina &amp; Aging <br>12) Acid Test (Final Step) <br> <br>By step 12, and the end of this video, you can expect to walk away with a newfound understanding of how Gold jewelry behaves, what to look for when you hunt, helpful hints/clues, tons of new fun facts about antique and modern jewelry, and the confidence to start building a beautiful collection for yourself! <br> <br>Whether you&apos;re new to thrifting, resell full time, or just looking to spend the next 20 minutes with a friend: I&apos;m your gal! Join me on this educational journey about one of my favorite topics in the world!

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• LO

  @Lowey666 · 3 months ago

  Years back, I spotted a 40 gram gold coin in an antique store. Paid 4 euros for it. Walked real fast out of that store😂. My best find so far!

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• WA

  @waynewerner8203 · 3 months ago

  I absolutely love what you do! I have been a goldsmith for 40 years and teach a few workshops. Years ago in the Baltimore Jewelers building I had a piece I was wondering about, it was old.and I thought it might be plated<br> an old man said, &quot;taste it&quot;. I thought he was joking. He cleaned it off, dried it and placed it on his tongue for 10 seconds....&quot;plated&quot; he said. I thought he was pulling my leg. When I tried it, I immediately felt something that reminded me of that taste I got if I put tin foil in my mouth, or forgot to remove some wrapper from gum. Yep, it&apos;s tin!! And you can get a reaction to it even under the plating. If it&apos;s gold, no reaction to your saliva, if it&apos;s plated...YUCK!! <br>I have been tasting rings for years now. Have a great day!!

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• MI

  @MikeButters-z2r · 4 months ago

  Hey, i just wanted to offer my sincere and emphatic thanks. &nbsp;This video is by FAR the best I&apos;ve found on the subject of gold identification. &nbsp;Far too often with hobbies and microfixations like this, those who make informative videos forget that not everyone has their base knowledge - basically, &nbsp;they forget to appropriately dumb it down and start from the beginning. &nbsp;The frustration felt by the student is usually profound. &nbsp;You on the other hand, explained everything from the beginning, making a point to be specific, but without becoming long winded. &nbsp;<br><br>Bottom line, this video helped me immensely! &nbsp;Keep &apos;em coming 🤘

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• JA

  @JasonElgin-d6c · 4 months ago

  To anyone thinking it’s just not possible to find the Gold and Silver like Kelsey does on a consistent basis, you are so wrong . It’s out there if your willing to learn and put in the work . My latest score , 10k wedding band with 16 natural diamonds . I paid 2 dollars.

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• BI

  @BillTedSales · 4 months ago

  HOLY CRAP...TY!!! I just stumbled across you video. I went and checked a brooch I had for sale for $19.99 on eBay, Depop and Etsy. I acid tested it and it is 10K. It is about 0.4 ounces which equates to over $600 melt value. I have subscribed :)

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• CW

  @cw5451 · 4 months ago

  I worked in fine jewelry and custom jewelry for more than 15 years, and my ex-husband and I had a custom jewelry business. Then I went to work in education as a teacher. Keeping that in mind, I want to commend you on a wonderful and informative video! You explained things so well! And I agree that the more gold jewelry you see and touch, then the better you will be at identifying genuine gold. But I definitely carry a loupe in my purse for those times when I want to see small details! 😁

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• CH

  @christineg6123 · 4 months ago

  Now do gemstones lol. Tysm for teaching us about gold!

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• DE

  @DebraVonAllmen-pu6rz · 4 months ago

  You were talking about obscure places for the gold stamp. I was debating to whether I should buy a pawnshop pearl necklace. Neither I nor the salespeople could find what metal the clasp was. When I got it home, I opened it, it was the type with a pin inside the clasp. The 18k marking was on the pin.

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• GR

  @GruppeValkyrie-KSK · 3 months ago

  I love this channel. &nbsp;Kelsey is always so happy and positive, &nbsp;This has saved me from throwing out jewelry that I thought was costume but ended up being Victorian custom made era jewelry.

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• SU

  @susanfarley1332 · 2 months ago

  When my mom was a teen she bought a necklace at a flea market for a quarter. It was a necklace of black beads. She took it to a jeweler to be cleaned and he found the beads had been painted black. Underneath the paint they were gold. A few years later while having a photographic portrait done of her and me ( I was about a year old or younger) and as soon as the photo was taken I grabbed the necklace and accidentally broke it. She collected all the beads and later when we lived down in Mexico she had collected a number of polished turquoise nuggets and she designed a clasp she wanted on it. The long necklace of gold and turquoise with the gold and jadeite(?) clasp is not marked with the gold content. I used to have a large gold and black opal ring she had made from her own design when she found the unset black opal. It was also unmarked with the gold content since she had it made for herself. Unfortunately my son needed spending money for a trip and he stole the ring and pawned it. I will never be able to replace that unique piece of jewelry that she designed.

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• CA

  @Cavemankind_ · 4 months ago

  Great video! Don’t forget that not every gold stamp means it pure or real gold metal. Gold marks can be stamped on lead filled pieces, fake jewelry, plated alloys, etc. To avoid scammers, always verify precious metals by multiple tests. Reagent tests, eye/touch examinations, microscopic imaging, magnetism, digital laser scan, weight-size comparison, and ideally reputable vendors. <br>So many sketchy scammers walk amongst us, lurking for quick fiscal opportunities.

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