Have you ever scanned the auctions to see this "too good to be true" deal on a spectacular piece of jewellery and bid just in time to seal the deal?  Oh, wait.... you read the auction even closer to see slight abbreviations like "hge" or "18kgp" ?  These slight and often unnoticable little letters can turn a great buy into a great big mass of fake, possibly overpaid, costume jewellery.

Genuine gold products will bear stamps of the following : 10k, 14k, 18k (18k & 24k are more rare, so if they are available they will likely be starting at a high bid).

9k gold is genuine gold of slight variance to 10k but similar.  It is very popular internationally and is a nice durable product, very much like 10k gold. 

Gold jewellery bearing a stamp :417 = 10k gold in European markings. This gold is slightly more yellow than north american 10k gold products

Imitation/costume Jewellery, or plated jewellery....

10kp*,14kp*, hge (heavy gold electroplated), 18kgp (gold plated), 18k silver, anything that states gold overcoat. 

*Read all your auctions carefully

*Remeber, the higher the gold rating (ie, 18k) the softer the metal.  For everyday wear, 10k & 14k are your most popular picks.

*White gold is slightly a stronger metal than yellow gold.

*Always read the sellers feedback before buying, Be sure to read the positives too, they often tell the best story about a seller.  All the good & bad!

GemStone Depot

HAPPY EBAYING!!

*- Some Sellers may sell "kp" as "Plum" gold. As there is such a thing as plum gold, it is more available internationally. If a seller states it is a "plum" gold item, as them to explain the what that means and be sure to check their feedback. It is such a shame when we get fooled into paying money for fake jewellery, that is not represented as such! **To the seller that contacted me who apparently sells "plum" gold. Honestly, my guide is for the average buyer out there who is not experienced. Ebay can be a cold place for the new members. This information, had it been available when I started out, would have saved me ALOT! Buyers always beware, be sure to check everything out first! ***Feel free to rate my guide! There are a lot of competitors who like to rate my guide unhelpful so it eventually does not show in the ratings!