Gold vs. Gold-Plated: How to Tell the Difference

Not sure whether an item is solid gold or just gold-plated? Here's what actually separates the two, and how to check at home before you decide whether it's worth having professionally tested.

What's the difference?

• Solid gold is gold (mixed with other metals for durability) all the way through, at a stated purity such as 9ct, 14ct, 18ct or 22ct.
• Gold-plated items have only a thin layer of gold electroplated onto a base metal (often brass, copper or silver) — the gold layer can wear through with everyday use.
• Gold-filled sits in between: a much thicker layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. More durable than plating, but still not solid gold.

Checks you can do yourself

1. Look for a hallmark

UK solid gold jewellery over a certain weight is legally required to carry a hallmark showing purity (375, 585, 750, 916 or 999). Plated items are usually stamped "GP", "HGE", "gold plated", or have no mark at all. No hallmark doesn't automatically mean it's fake or plated — some older, foreign, or lightweight pieces are genuinely unmarked — but it's a useful first check. See our gold purity guide for what each hallmark means.

2. Check high-wear points

Plating wears thin fastest at points of friction — the inside of rings, clasps, and edges. If you see a different-coloured metal showing through in these spots, that's a strong sign of plating.

3. Consider the weight

Solid gold is noticeably dense. A piece that feels unusually light for its size may be plated over a lighter base metal — though this isn't precise without knowing the exact expected weight for that design.

4. The magnet test (limited use)

Gold itself isn't magnetic, so if a piece is strongly attracted to a magnet, it's not solid gold. However, this test only rules items out — many of the base metals used for plating (like brass or copper) aren't magnetic either, so a piece not sticking to a magnet doesn't confirm it's solid gold.

Why professional testing is the only certain answer

None of the checks above are fully conclusive on their own. The only reliable way to know for sure is professional testing — we use non-destructive XRF analysis on every item we receive, regardless of what it's stamped with.

Not sure what you've got? Request a free postal gold kit and we'll test it properly, free of charge, with no obligation to sell.