Magnetic Jewelry Clasp

With the trends in the economy of different countries and in the international stock market, everybody seems to be conscious about the prices of goods they are purchasing. Gold has been one of those with steadily increasing value. The prestige of wearing a gold chain is still sought after by fashionable people.

Getting gold with high karat ratings is very expensive most especially for those who simply want to accessorize using the luster and elegance of gold. Big chains made of real gold that are used by both men and women worn on causal occasions may not be very practical in the times that we have now. Cheap chains are actually available if you know where to look and what to look for.

A great alternative to expensive gold jewelry is gold plated chains. Plating other metals to make it look like real gold is a cheaper option. Silver is more affordable so it is one of the most commonly used metals to be plated to make gold chains. Sterling silver is the most recommended metal to be used for gold plating because of its high quality as a foundation. The gold plating must be at least 10 karats to achieve the shiny and reflective look of real gold.

Cheap chains made of different metals are usually lighter than real gold chains. Gold is heavier than most metals so a way to know if chain is simply gold plated is by its weight. For those who avoid getting gold plated items because of allergy or their overall quality and value, there are simple ways to spot cheap gold chains.

Real gold chains have an even color all over even in the nooks and crevices of a chain. Get a magnifying glass and inspect the clasp area of a gold chain. Plating usually fails to adhere in the small rings near this area.

A lot of metals plated with gold are magnetic. Try placing your jewelry near a magnet and if it is attracted than it is likely that you are handling a cheap gold chain.

Check for hallmarks or stamps on the piece of jewelry that you intend to buy. Gold products usually have inscriptions that tell the karat rating or the mix of metals used in the alloy.

Check with a professional jeweler and with the shop that you are buying from. They usually consent to an acid test without charge to test the purity of gold in their jewelry. Should they have protests about making this test then it cannot be helped to think that they are selling cheap chains.

Real gold will also be heavier than gold plated jewelry. If it sinks fast when dropped in a bowl of water then it is made of pure gold. If it sinks slowly or even floats then the quality is doubtful. Purchasing home testing kits is also a great way to test the quality of your gold chains.