{"id":1915,"date":"2013-12-05T08:30:38","date_gmt":"2013-12-05T13:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/?p=1915"},"modified":"2026-01-26T20:10:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T20:10:07","slug":"buyer-and-seller-beware-fake-gold-hitting-pawn-shops-and-jewelry-stores-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/buyer-and-seller-beware-fake-gold-hitting-pawn-shops-and-jewelry-stores-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Buyer (and Seller) Beware\u2026. Fake Gold Hitting Pawn Shops and Jewelry Stores"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Administrative Note: Because this is usually the busiest season for jewelers and pawnbrokers,\u00a0this month\u00a0<\/em>we will be offering several articles that would be helpful to those who deal in precious metals. Today’s article addresses fake gold hitting pawn shops and jewelry stores.]<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"The livelihood of businesses that buy and recycle gold, such as jewelry stores and pawn shops, depends in part on being able to identify fake gold and to determine the accurate karat (K) weight of gold jewelry. With the volatility and high price of gold, failing to detect just a small variation in composition can be an expensive mistake. Even the seemingly simple task of distinguishing between gold plating and solid gold can be a challenge as counterfeiters become more adept.<\/p>\n

Gold plated means that the jewelry is made with a layer of gold on the surface over another type of metal underneath. The most common identifying marks on gold plate are HGE (gold electroplate) and RGP (rolled gold plate), but not all gold-plated jewelry has such a stamp. High-quality gold plate can be thick enough to pass nitric acid scratch test, which only tests the surface layer. A deeper cut to the piece may yield more information about its content but will also damage it.<\/p>\n

Other verification methods include weighing the jewelry in question against a known gold piece, or submerging the piece in water and measuring the displacement. Gold jewelry can be examined with a loupe to check for different colors under worn areas. Many jewelers also test with a strong magnet, as real gold isn\u2019t magnetic.<\/p>\n

Jewelers and pawn brokers that fail to verify the gold that comes into their shops using at least a couple of methods will fall prey to increasingly sophisticated counterfeiters who know how to get around these tests. Recent news stories describe scams involving jewelry made with non-magnetic metals that mimic gold, fakes plated with enough gold so as to appear to be all gold, or gold-plated or copper counterfeits stamped 14K or 18K.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fakes are getting better,\u201d says one pawn shop owner. \u201cThey\u2019re beating the magnet test, the weight test. Nowadays, gold needs to be tested several ways, including scratch testing or cutting into the metal, even if it means ruining the piece. Unfortunately, most of my customers intend to reclaim their jewelry and don\u2019t want it damaged.\u201d<\/p>\n

To be absolutely certain of the composition of gold and other precious metals, many businesses are now turning to\u00a0X-ray fluorescence (XRF)<\/a>\u00a0technology.\u00a0 XRF analyzers provide a fast, accurate, and most importantly, a nondestructive method to test the purity and composition of all precious metals. XRF quickly provides the exact karat weight and percentages of all elements within an item \u2013 easily identifying non-standard, under-karated, and even advanced counterfeit material that acid testing is incapable of differentiating.\u00a0 What\u2019s more, some XRF instruments feature technology that can\u00a0identify gold-plated items<\/a>\u00a0that, undetected, could adversely affect the profitability of your business. This functionality not only protects your interests but those of your clients, who can see for themselves the exact percentage of pure gold in their jewelry.<\/p>\n

XRF analysis also can work in tandem with traditional testing to identify more heavily gold-plated items<\/a>. When readings taken with an XRF analyzer on four or five different areas on a piece show differing results, this can be an indication that the item is heavily plated and further testing is warranted.\u00a0 This would mean filing or drilling into the item to expose material beneath the surface layer.<\/p>\n

See how\u00a0XRF analysis compares with traditional acid testing<\/a>\u00a0in this 2-1\/2 minute video.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Administrative Note: Because this is usually the busiest season for jewelers and pawnbrokers,\u00a0this month\u00a0we will be offering several articles that would be helpful to those who deal in precious metals. Today’s article addresses fake gold hitting pawn shops and jewelry stores.] The livelihood of businesses that buy and recycle gold, such as jewelry stores and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":1914,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5],"tags":[117,68,69,118,9],"division":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1915","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-metals-and-alloys","8":"category-precious-metals","9":"tag-coins","10":"tag-gold","11":"tag-jewelry","12":"tag-pawn","13":"tag-precious-metals-2","14":"entry"},"_selected_authors":[1206],"_selected_reviewers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBeware: Fake Gold Hitting Pawn Shops and Jewelry Stores<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Jewelers and pawn brokers should use several analysis methods to verify the gold that comes into their shops. 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Fake Gold Hitting Pawn Shops and Jewelry Stores"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/#website","url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/","name":"Analyzing Metals","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/#\/schema\/person\/952d3b4e4c5a5b18342615052819e71f","name":"Jonathan Margalit, PhD","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b915f8dcd634caced33ce3510dd1ba9a1060e4ada120150a6c075e4ef6546f05?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b915f8dcd634caced33ce3510dd1ba9a1060e4ada120150a6c075e4ef6546f05?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b915f8dcd634caced33ce3510dd1ba9a1060e4ada120150a6c075e4ef6546f05?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jonathan Margalit, PhD"},"url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/author\/jonathan-margalitthermofisher-com\/"}]}},"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":7,"label":"Metals & Alloys"},{"value":5,"label":"Precious Metals"}],"post_tag":[{"value":117,"label":"coins"},{"value":68,"label":"gold"},{"value":69,"label":"jewelry"},{"value":118,"label":"pawn"},{"value":9,"label":"precious metals"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/12\/analyzegoldbracelet.jpg",646,398,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Jonathan Margalit, PhD","author_link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/author\/jonathan-margalitthermofisher-com\/"},"comment_info":10,"category_info":[{"term_id":7,"name":"Metals & Alloys","slug":"metals-and-alloys","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":7,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":224,"filter":"raw","meta":[],"cat_ID":7,"category_count":224,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Metals & Alloys","category_nicename":"metals-and-alloys","category_parent":0},{"term_id":5,"name":"Precious Metals","slug":"precious-metals","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":109,"filter":"raw","meta":[],"cat_ID":5,"category_count":109,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Precious Metals","category_nicename":"precious-metals","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":117,"name":"coins","slug":"coins","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":117,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw","meta":[]},{"term_id":68,"name":"gold","slug":"gold","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":68,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":18,"filter":"raw","meta":[]},{"term_id":69,"name":"jewelry","slug":"jewelry","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":69,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":14,"filter":"raw","meta":[]},{"term_id":118,"name":"pawn","slug":"pawn","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":118,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw","meta":[]},{"term_id":9,"name":"precious metals","slug":"precious-metals-2","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":9,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":33,"filter":"raw","meta":[]}],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13418,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/buyer-and-seller-beware-how-to-detect-fake-gold-in-current-times\/","url_meta":{"origin":1915,"position":0},"title":"Buyer and Seller Beware: How to Detect Fake Gold in Current Times","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A Practical Guide for Jewelers and Pawn Shop Owners The rise in gold prices and continued market volatility have made precious metals more attractive\u2014not just to legitimate sellers, but also to increasingly sophisticated counterfeiters. For jewelers, cash-for-gold operators, and pawn shop owners, the ability to accurately verify gold authenticity and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General\/Industry"","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/general-industry-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clasp on a 14k Gold necklace with markings on a black background","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13568,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-handheld-xrf-technology-exposed-counterfeit-silver-coins-sold-online\/","url_meta":{"origin":1915,"position":1},"title":"How Handheld XRF Technology Exposed Counterfeit Silver Coins Sold Online","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"May 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary Counterfeit silver coins are becoming a growing problem in online marketplaces, putting coin collectors, precious metal investors, pawn shops, and bullion buyers at financial risk. A recent \u00a0NBC Connecticut investigation uncovered fake American Eagle silver bullion coins being sold online at prices far below market value. Although the coins\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Precious Metals"","block_context":{"text":"Precious Metals","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/precious-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Silver coins and silver bullion","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-482324309.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-482324309.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-482324309.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-482324309.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-482324309.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/05\/iStock-482324309.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12889,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/diwali-sparks-gold-buying-frenzy\/","url_meta":{"origin":1915,"position":2},"title":"Diwali Sparks Gold-Buying Frenzy","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"October 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Forty tons of gold, worth $11 billion, was purchased by India in the first two days of Diwali. About 8,000 miles away in New York City, there was a gold buying rush and a cash-for-gold frenzy. Buyers and sellers are banking on the hope that the gold in the pieces\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Precious Metals"","block_context":{"text":"Precious Metals","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/precious-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Diwali Puja Thali With Flowers, Diya, And Gifts","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/iStock-2240362443-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/iStock-2240362443-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/iStock-2240362443-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/iStock-2240362443-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/iStock-2240362443-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/iStock-2240362443-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10286,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/a-valentines-special-best-metal-elements-for-a-sturdy-piece-of-jewelry\/","url_meta":{"origin":1915,"position":3},"title":"A Valentine\u2019s Special: Best Metal Elements for a Sturdy Piece of Jewelry","author":"Mark Lessard","date":"February 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A Pleasant Garden article noted that \"from a global perspective, nearly 6 million couples get engaged on February 14th.\"\u00a0It\u2019s no surprise that many of those who \u2018pop the question\u2019 choose to do it on the day known for its message of love and affection. Those who have bought an engagement\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Precious Metals"","block_context":{"text":"Precious Metals","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/precious-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ring in box with Valentine heart decorations","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/istock-96917265_valentinejewelry.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13598,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-rhodium-plating-impacts-gold-xrf-analysis-and-karat-verification\/","url_meta":{"origin":1915,"position":4},"title":"How Rhodium Plating Impacts Gold XRF Analysis and Karat Verification","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"July 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary Accurate gold analysis is essential for jewelry verification, precious metals trading, refining, and quality control. One of the most widely used methods for determining gold content is X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, a non-destructive testing technique that quickly evaluates metal composition. However, rhodium plating\u2014a common surface treatment used on white\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Metals & Alloys"","block_context":{"text":"Metals & Alloys","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/metals-and-alloys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Banner of a cube symbolizing element number 45 of the periodic table. Rhodium. 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Download this handy periodic table and X-ray energy reference guide to help in analyzing your metals samples. \u00a0It's our treat. Then visit our Steel Manufacturing and Precious Metals Analysis\u00a0 pages for more goodies. 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