Gold Plated vs Solid Gold: How to Tell from the Stamp
The stamp on your jewelry tells you whether it's solid gold or just a gold-colored coating. Here's how to read it.
You found gold-colored jewelry and you're wondering if it's real gold or just plated. The stamp on the piece tells you the answer. This guide shows you exactly what to look for, explains every plating and filling stamp, and breaks down the actual value difference between solid gold and plated items.
Stamps That Mean Solid Gold
Any of these stamps mean your item is solid gold all the way through. The number tells you the purity — how much of the item is pure gold versus alloy metals. Solid gold has real melt value that you can calculate.
For a detailed breakdown of every karat stamp and what it means, see our full gold jewelry stamps guide.
Stamps That Mean Gold Plated or Filled
These stamps mean the item has a gold layer on the outside but a base metal core. The amount of actual gold varies from almost nothing (GP) to a small but measurable amount (GF).
Thinnest layer — 0.5 to 2.5 microns of gold applied over a base metal. Almost no gold value.
Same as GP. A thin layer of gold deposited through an electroplating process.
Thicker than standard GP, but still electroplated — not mechanically bonded. Still minimal gold content.
A much thicker layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. By US law, the gold layer must be at least 5% of the item's total weight. More value than plated, but still a fraction of solid gold.
Similar to gold filled but with a thinner layer — typically 1/30th to 1/40th of the total weight.
Means 1/20th of the item's weight is 14K gold. This is the most common gold-filled marking.
Sterling silver (925) base with a gold plating that must be at least 2.5 microns thick in the US. Has silver value, but the gold layer adds very little.
The Value Difference
This is where the distinction between solid and plated really hits home. The value difference is enormous.
Side-by-side comparison:
Use the scrap gold calculator at MeltValue.com to see the exact dollar amounts at today's gold price.
How to Tell Without a Stamp
If there's no stamp on the piece — or the stamp is worn and unreadable — there are several ways to figure out whether it's solid gold or plated.
Gold is not magnetic. If the piece sticks to a strong neodymium magnet, it's not gold. But passing the magnet test alone doesn't confirm gold — many base metals (brass, copper) are also non-magnetic.
A jeweler drips nitric acid on a small scratch. Real gold won't react. If the gold layer is thin plating, the acid will eat through to the base metal underneath and cause a reaction.
An electronic device that reads the metal composition instantly without damaging the piece. Most coin dealers and pawn shops have one. This is the fastest and most reliable way to know for certain.
Solid gold is dense and heavy for its size. A solid gold ring will feel noticeably heavier than a gold-plated ring of the same dimensions.
Gold-plated items may turn your skin green or leave dark marks as the plating wears through to the base metal. Solid gold typically won't cause skin discoloration.
For a complete walkthrough of all testing methods, see our guide on how to tell if gold is real.
What to Do Next
If it's solid gold:
Calculate the melt value using the scrap gold calculator at MeltValue.com. If you want to sell, US Gold and Coin buys gold jewelry at competitive prices with free appraisals and same-day payment.
If it's plated:
The gold content is negligible. Keep it for wearing or donate it. Don't expect a dealer to pay melt value for plated items. The base metal underneath (usually brass or copper) has very little scrap value.
Gold Plated vs Solid Gold FAQ
Is gold plated jewelry worth anything for scrap?
What does GF mean on jewelry?
Can gold plated jewelry be stamped 14K?
How long does gold plating last?
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