Seven effective home tests verify gold authenticity. The gold float test checks if items sink (real gold) or float (fake). Magnet testing confirms authenticity as real gold won’t magnetize. Examining gold hallmarks reveals purity: stamps like “GF” (gold filled), “GP” (gold plated), or “GEP” (gold electroplate) indicate non-solid gold. Karat markings (10K-24K) or numbers (.000-1.000) … Read more

800 silver is a silver alloy containing 80% pure silver and 20% other metals, typically copper. Also known as “Continental Silver,” it was historically the standard in much of Europe, particularly Germany, Italy, and Holland. Unlike sterling silver (92.5% pure), 800 silver is less pure but still hypoallergenic and non-magnetic. It was commonly used for … Read more

Purple gold is a manufactured alloy composed of 79% gold and 21% aluminum, forming the purple-hued intermetallic compound AuAl₂. Purple gold isn’t mined like yellow gold. Instead, it’s created by alloying yellow gold and aluminum in exact proportions. Purple gold alloy is only available in 18k form because the specific ratio of 79% gold and … Read more

18k gold vermeil is high-quality jewelry made by electroplating at least 2.5 microns of 18 karat gold onto sterling silver. It offers the luxurious look of solid gold at a more affordable price. 18k gold jewelry is hypoallergenic and non-magnetic, making it suitable for most people. While it can get wet, it’s best to avoid … Read more

White gold patina is a natural change in appearance that happens as the rhodium plating on white gold jewelry wears away, revealing the warmer, yellowish tone of the underlying gold alloy. This differs from tarnish, which is undesirable oxidation. White gold patination is simply the plating fading, and some people like the look while others … Read more

Silver isn’t magnetic. It’s diamagnetic. Pure silver doesn’t magnetize because of its electronic configuration. Silver atoms have paired electrons with no unpaired electrons, meaning there’s no magnetic dipole moment required for magnetism. Real sterling silver (925 silver), 999 silver, 958 silver, 900 silver, 800 silver, and other silver alloys are all diamagnetic because they contain … Read more

The Sacagawea Cheerios Dollar is a rare 2000-P dollar coin distributed in 5,500 Cheerios boxes as part of a U.S. Mint promotion. These coins are valuable because of their scarcity and because of one key distinctive feature- highly detailed eagle tail feathers on the reverse side, with raised central shafts. The worth of these coins … Read more