How to Determine the Quality of a Jewelry Chain Before You Buy
Women adore chains, but it’s important to remember that not all jewelry is created equal. Purchasing a quality chain is the only way to guarantee it will last and not break down with wear or damage.
A great CMMS can help you create, implement, and tweak your quality assurance programs. To help you ensure your body jewelry is high-quality, check for these signs:
Look for a Stamp
Numerous jewelry hallmarks are used to identify and authenticate gold, silver, and platinum jewelry. Many look very similar, so checking the stamp carefully is essential. The letter stamps often mean the jewelry maker’s initials, while other letters indicate the type of metal. For example, GF shows gold bonding, while WGD implies weighted gold.
You can also find information about the purity of jewelry by dropping it in water. Real gold is denser than water, so it will sink. However, this simple test isn’t foolproof and shouldn’t be the only way to confirm a chain’s authenticity. Complex recently caught up with a famous jeweler behind some of hip-hop’s biggest chains to learn more about spotting a fake one.
Check the Weight
A gold chain should feel substantial and heavy. If it feels very lightweight, it is likely not genuine gold and may be made from other less expensive metals such as brass or pewter.
A good rule of thumb is that the longer a chain is, the heavier and more valuable it feels. However, this is not foolproof.
If a chain feels light, you should conduct further tests to confirm its authenticity. One simple test is to check the chain against a magnet. Silver chains move away from magnets, while fake ones stick to them. You can also perform an odor test by sniffing the chain. Genuine silver smells pleasant, while fake jewelry has a strong chemical odor.
Check the Thickness
A quality chain should feel solid and heavy. It should also be smooth and consistent throughout. If a chain feels uneven, it is likely made with low-grade filler metals like nickel (which can irritate sensitive people).
Another technique you can use is the magnet test. Silver is non-magnetic, so if your chain moves towards the magnet, it may be fake or made with a low-grade filler metal. You can also smell the chain to see if it has a metallic scent. Silver should not have any odor.
Visual inspection is usually best when determining the thickness of a jewelry chain. But these methods aren’t foolproof – especially if you’re buying from a new seller. So, it’s always best to research beforehand and only purchase from a reputable seller with positive reviews.
Check the Finish
When inspecting jewelry, a close look at the finish is essential. It should be smooth, without cracks, pits, or rough spots. Also, look for a polished clasp. This may seem small, but it determines how well your chain will maintain over time.
Look for a brushed or hammered finish on the metal- the jeweler has touched it with different sandpapers, starting with coarse grits and progressing to finer ones until all the blemishes have been eliminated.
This is a good sign of quality, as it shows that the jeweler has gone to some lengths to create a beautiful piece of jewelry for you to wear. It’s also a good idea to look for reviews on the item from sellers you trust. This will help you avoid low-quality items from less reputable sellers.
Check the Threading
A solid gold chain should feel very smooth and heavy. A chain that feels lighter is likely hollow gold and not worth the money.
Inspecting the craftsmanship of the piece is essential. Look for functional clasps and no kinks or bends that could break the chain. If there are gemstones in the chain, they should be securely mounted and cleared. If the piece is vintage, it should also be free of stones that appear cloudy or yellow.
A quick check can be done with a magnet. Silver and gold are non-magnetic, so if the metal moves toward the magnet, it’s probably not made from real silver or gold. A magnet test is not foolproof, but an easy way to weed out counterfeit jewelry.
