Getting Curious About Gold Colors
So last weekend I was at the mall hunting for a birthday gift. Saw a gold pendant I liked, but when the sales lady said “That’s 14k” on one display and “Those are 10k” on another, I squinted hard and said – wait they look IDENTICAL to me? She just shrugged. That bugged me all day. How are people supposed to know what they’re paying for if even gold pieces side-by-side look the same? Decided to figure this out myself.
My Dumb First Attempt
Grabbed my old 14k class ring and ran to a pawn shop. Made them show me every 10k chain they had. Held my ring next to them under their bright lights like a detective. Total fail. Every piece just looked…yellow. Even asked the guy “You SURE this isn’t 14k?” and got the eye-roll. Felt like a moron walking out empty-handed.
The Game-Changer Discovery
Stumbled on jewelry forums complaining about lighting tricks. One user said: “Stores blast warm lights so cheap gold looks rich”. Next morning I raided my fridge – grabbed a pure white ceramic plate. Put my 14k ring on it near a window. Borrowed my sister’s 10k earrings (after promising 50 times not to lose them). Natural daylight hit both pieces on that white background and BAM. Saw it clear as day.
That 10k gold? Had this pale, washed-out look like weak lemonade. My 14k ring? Deep honey color, like someone turned up the saturation. Moved them to my wooden coffee table – difference vanished. Lightbulb moment: Background is EVERYTHING.
Secret Weapon: The Penny Trick
Wanted to test this anywhere without looking weird. Read online that new pennies have similar color to 10k. Dug through my couch cushions for the shiniest 2020 penny. Took it to the jewelry store with my white phone case. When sales dude showed me a “vintage 14k bracelet”, I slipped the penny onto my phone case next to it. Bracelet was way yellower than the penny. Sales guy froze when I said “Pretty orange for 14k huh?” His face confirmed it was 10k garbage. Victory!
How to Not Get Scammed
After burning through three stores testing this, here’s my battle plan:
- Carry a pure white card – cut from poster board. Makes gold colors scream truth.
- Sunlight beats store lights – Always walk near windows. Fluorescent lights lie.
- Use a penny cheat sheet – 2020+ penny = typical 10k color. If it matches, run.
- Check edges – 10k looks palest where it’s thin.
- Rub items on white paper – 14k leaves deeper yellow marks (tried it on receipts).
My Final Takeaway
After this gold drama? I won’t touch any piece without throwing it on my white card first. Saved me last Thursday when a “solid 14k” necklace looked exactly like a penny on cardboard. Sales guy turned tomato-red when I handed back his “14k”. Trust your eyes with the right tools – and always bring that white background to battle!
