I see various gold descriptions full of acronyms on eBay listings. 

They are so confusing and misleading that you might not get the metal you thought it would be.  I am writing this guide for you, eBay shoppers, to clarify what those acronyms mean and help you make a wise choice. 

I saw a 14K gold bracelet starting at 7 cents posted by a Chinese seller.  I checked the seller's feedback.  There is one recent buyer who bought a 14K gold item for $2.70 and left a negative feedback saying the item he got was a fake according to the acid test.  This one feedback is enough for me to be suspicious about this seller's entire merchandise.  Because 14K has a specific meaning and a piece of solid 14K gold jewelry has a certain value much more than 7 cents or $2.70.  So check sellers' feedbacks carefully. 

• Gold is non-reactive to most acids.  Acid testing kits for gold and other precious metals are commercially available.

In the US, a metal is qualified to be called gold as in 14K gold, only when the gold content is equal to or higher than 10K (41.7%, explained below).   It is illegal to sell gold filled, gold plated or Vermeil products under the gold jewelry category.  

• However, eBay does not enforce this regulation.  I see a lot of not-solid-gold items sold under the gold jewelry category, and reported to eBay as "Listing policy violations"-"Other listing policy violations"-"Miscategorized items".  eBay did nothing at all.  Your only defense from buying misleading fake gold is your knowledge on gold: READ THIS GUIDE.

Gold

The word "gold" alone must be used only for pure gold according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).   Any gold alloy and metal bonded with gold alloy should be described with qualification such as Karat, Gold Filld, 1/40 etc.  These are expalined in the following sections.  

K, Kt or Karat

Karat is a unit expressing the purity or fineness of gold.  Do not confuse Karat with carat, which is a unit of gemstone weight.  24K gold is pure gold.  It is rarely used in Jewelry because it is too soft.

14K gold contains 14 parts of gold out of 24 parts by weight.  That is 58.3% gold.  The rest (10 parts) is other metal alloy.  In the same way 18K gold contains 18 parts of gold out of 24 parts.  That is 75% gold. 

• There is no such thing as "karat gold".  It is similar to calling gold "% gold".

The description should say solid 14K gold, if the metal part of a jewelry piece is entirely made of 14K gold.  The shape of the jewelry piece could be hollow, but the metal has to be all 14K gold.  Solid 14K gold is stamped as 14K or 585, with or without the manufacturer's registered hallmark.  Similarly 18K or 750 is stamped on solid 18K gold .  These marks are usually very tiny and it is easier to see with a 10 x jeweler's loupe.  How to Use a 10 x Jeweler's Loupe.  It is often located in a hidden area of the piece, for example, inside the ring shank or on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet.

• FTC specifies that gold alloy tubing should not use the word "solid".  In that case it should describe as 14K Gold-Hollow Center or 14K Gold Tubing.

If the description, not the stamp, says "14K" only, that could mean 14KGF, 14KRGP or 14KGP (explained below).  Ask the seller questions.  If they don't answer, walk away.

• Pure gold is nearly twice heavier than pure silver.  When you hold it in your hand, it has a hefty feel for the size.  If you already have gold and silver pieces known to be genuine, it is a good idea to compare and get used to the feels.  If you feel the piece is light, even though it is stamped, it may not be genuine gold.  Most sellers and manufacturers are honest and conscientious.  But there are bad apples unfortunately.  Check the seller's return policy and communication rating before committing to buy.

14KWG & 14KYG

14KWG is 14K white gold and 14KYG is 14K yellow gold.  Besides these colors, pink and green golds are available.  Gold by itself is golden yellow.  Other colors are produced by various metals in the alloy.

14KGF & 18KGF 

14KGF is 14K Gold Filled meaning thin 14K gold is bonded to an inexpensive base metal.  In the same way, 18KGF means 18K gold is bonded to an inexpensive base metal. The bonded gold must be at least 10K and its fineness must be showm (for example, 10KGF; indicating GF alone is unacceptable). 

The gold must be at least 1/20th (5%) of the total weight of the metal piece.  Sometimes it is described as 1/20 14KGF or 14K/20.  But indicating the gold portion is not required by FTC, if it is equal to or more than 1/20 (5%). 

"Gold Filled" is much thicker and lasts longer than "Gold Plated" or "Gold Electroplated" below.

RGP, rolled gold plate, or gold overlay

It is made in the same way as Gold Filled above.  The difference is the gold content is less than 1/20th (5%).  The description must indicate both the gold fineness and the portion of the gold (for example, 1/40 14KRGP or 1/40th 14 Kt. Gold Overlay).

GP, gold plated, GEP or gold electroplated

Gold plate is made by bonding gold alloy to an inexpensive base metal.  It has to indicate the karat fineness of the gold alloy (for example, 14KGP).  Gold electroplate is made by electrically depositing gold on a base metal.  Plated or electroplated gold wears off very quickly, because the glod layer is very thin.  The minimum-required thickness is only 0.175 micron (approximately 7/1,000,000 of an inch).  If the gold thickness is less than that, it is called "Gold Flashed" or "Gold Washed".   

Vermeil

It is sterling silver that is gold filled, rolled gold plated or gold plated.

Note on the Make of Jewelry

The quality of metal has to match the quality of gemstones in a piece of jewelry.  Be cautious if the qualities of metal and gemstones are not consistent.  In that case, you should think the piece is on the lower side of quality.  

For example, if an advertisement says a 1-carat high quality Burmese ruby is set in a GEP (gold electroplated) ring, the quality of this stone is very questionable.  In the same way, if a listing says an imitation gemstone is set in a sold 14K gold setting, I doubt the metal is genuine.   

Note on Gold Price

As of January 2, 2008, the market price of pure gold is $834.90/Troy oz, or roughly $27/gram ($959.50 on 7/12/08).  This is a price without any work on it.  I would say a solid 14K ring setting alone without a stone (1.5 to 2 grams) costs at leat $100 retail.  

EBay shoppers, know what you are getting and pay a fair price both for you and the seller.  Avoid those sellers who don't provide enough information on their items.  It appears some sellers don't actually know what they are selling.

But remember no one sells solid gold jewelry for $0.99.

If you learned something new and useful, please click "yes" below.  Thanks!