The #1 Gold Fake Item Brought To Our Shop

   Chains are the number one misidentified gold piece of jewelry, and they are the most common fakes we see here at Calaveras Coin & Pawn. Chains are a little harder to test and when the piece is a sterling/gold plate variety (Vermeil) they often have a “feel” close to a real gold chain. Because these fake gold chains are heavy, buying just one can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

 Our Checklist when Testing Gold Chains:

1. Searched for hallmark
2. Check  to see if chain is magnetic
3. File into piece to get through plating /overlay or to expose sterling underneath.
4. Test with Nitric Acid and electronic tester

Steps to find fake chains:

1. Hallmark. When testing a chain we look for the hallmark first. We have found that the fake chains will have a Karat stamp like 14K but not have a manufacturer hallmark. Your chain manufacturers are going to put the company hallmark on their piece.
2. Magnetic. The next step would be check to see if it is magnetic, this will tell you right away you have a no value chain.
3. Nitric Acid. When testing with nitric acid or an electronic tester remember we  file into the piece, this will get through any plating or gold overlay. 

First Rule: Be careful when buying a piece of gold jewelry.  Always make sure that the seller personally guarantees their jewelry to be genuine.  
Second Rule: Never pay retail prices... we have a wide selection like most jewelry store and can even custom order jewelry, the difference is that we sell it to you at the fraction of the cost of an upscale jewelry store.  Your jewelry doesn't have to cost a million bucks in order to look like it!

WE PERSONALLY GUARANTEE EVERY PIECE OF JEWELRY WE SELL.  

Our Motto: "You Deserve The Best!"