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After 30 plus years as a goldsmith, I am amazed at the way misleading titles on Ebay auctions can fool buyers. Knowledge is power, so be prepared with a good understanding of some of the practises of some sellers. You can only be fooled if you don't know the difference between GF, RGP, RG, PLATED, GOLD COLORED, GOLD WASHED, and true Karat gold. There are some things that are subjective-what is a pretty painting to one person is certainly not to another-but Gold, and all pertaining to the truth of it, are scientific fact. So know that my aim is to inform, and be helpful.
For example , if you find a listing that reads " Ammonite Ammolite Gemstone 14KT Gold Pendant" you will assume the item is actually 14KT. gold. In fact, in order to make that statement, the item would have to be real,solid 14Kt. gold. Upon further careful reading of the item description, the seller states that the metal is 'gold filled'. GF This means that an incredibly thin--measured in micrometers-like a human hair-layer of gold is used over a base metal, usually brass.
Don't pay gold prices for base metal.
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Another example " Gorgeous Gold Earrings!" Nowhere in the listing does it state what kind of gold is in the earrings. Upon contacting the seller, I was told that they were ' gold colored.' This is a deceptively worded auction. Either they were gold, (they weren't) or they were gold-filled -see above example- gold plated, or gold painted.
Gold Plating a base metal object means it is electrolytically coated with an AMAZING 0.000007mm thick layer of gold! Should you pay gold prices for this?
Rolled gold Plate is the same as Gold Filled, but of even LESSER quality.
And last of all is the bane of my existence, the Ebay favorite, Gold washed, and Gold colored. I would say "there ought to be a law", and in fact there are quite a lot of them. In all 50 states, and Canada, it is a punishable offense to falsely advertise a product as being karat gold, WHEN IT ISN'T. Since the year 1239 in England, there have been legal standards governing the marking of gold. This law is there to protect the buying public. In every civilized country including the US and Canada there is a Goldsmiths Guild. To belong to the Guild is a guarantee that you are knowledgeable in all aspects of gold and gold markings, and obey the laws.
It hurts not just the real goldsmiths, and jewelers, to have every Tom, Dick and Harry calling anything they want 'gold', but it hurts the buying public. If any yellow colored metal can be called 'gold', then what will happen to the confidence of buyers? Once a buyer has been rooked, will they come back to try again?
This hurts the HONEST sellers on Ebay.
It hurts not just the real goldsmiths, and jewelers, to have every Tom, Dick and Harry calling anything they want 'gold', but it hurts the buying public. If any yellow colored metal can be called 'gold', then what will happen to the confidence of buyers? Once a buyer has been rooked, will they come back to try again?
This hurts the HONEST sellers on Ebay.
Please ask your seller if the item is stamped with the karat of the gold--if it isn't, BEWARE.
If you are just buying jewelery for a small amount of money, of course gold colored and gold washed, would be appropriate.
Enjoy shopping on E-bay-and ask lots of questions.
If you found my information to be helpful, as was intended, kindly let me know by your vote.
If you are just buying jewelery for a small amount of money, of course gold colored and gold washed, would be appropriate.
Enjoy shopping on E-bay-and ask lots of questions.
If you found my information to be helpful, as was intended, kindly let me know by your vote.
Guide created: 07/11/06 (updated 04/09/11)
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