Is my Gold Gucci Watch a fake?

Is my Gold Gucci watch a fake?
The House of Gucci is an Italian fashion label established in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence. Upmarket, select and ultra chic, the quality and style of Gucci is known the world over. As well as fashion and leather goods, most notably handbags, Gucci have produced a selection of watches since 1997.

Gucci watches come in three types; bracelet watches, automatic watches and quartz watches. They may be made from yellow gold, white gold or stainless steel and sometime incorporate other materials including diamonds and leather. The gold watches are gold plated with 18-carat gold on stainless steel.

A quick scan on line will show that you can buy cheap “Gucci “replica watches many originating from China and Hong Kong. In many cases, these are quite openly replicas so that you can get the look of Gucci without spending a fortune.

However if you wish to buy a genuine new Gucci watch, they are only available direct from Gucci, their on line store, authorized boutiques or select department stores. Before you start looking, you should check out the Gucci website to see designs, current styles and prices. A gold plated Gucci watch will cost around £600 but prices vary according to design and model.

New Gucci watches are not available anywhere else for rock bottom prices because Gucci are very selective with their retailers.

The danger point is in the second hand market and here you need to be careful.
So how can you tell the difference between a genuine gold Gucci watch and a fake? After all a fake Gucci gold watch is really only a fake if it is passed off as the real thing – especially on auction sites such as eBay

Genuine Gucci watches are only made in Switzerland so if your watch is engraved“Made in Italy” it is certainly a fake. The watches are the only Gucci items not produced in Italy a fact that many counterfeiters do not realise.

Gucci watches always have a crest logo engraved on the back of the watch face. However, the insignias and logos located on the back of authentic Gucci watches vary with each season and watch design.

Each genuine Gucci watch has a model number and serial number stamped on the back. The numbers are not available to check on line but you can try taking it to a reputable jewellers to check.

All new Gucci watches are sold with a box and certificate. Can you really imagine anyone throwing this away or losing it when it comes to selling?

Gucci have only been making watches since 1997 so if you are offered an antique Gucci watch it will not be genuine.

Most fake Guccis use cheaper materials and are lighter in weight than the genuine article.

A very important point to remember is that just because Gucci is a well-known make, the price of their watches may not be as much as you think. Certainly on eBay it is not uncommon to see second hand (or dubious) Gucci watches going for more than the recommended retail price

Is my gold rolex a fake?

Identify Gold and silver hallmarks

How to Spot Fake Roman Coins at online Auctions

As many as 30 - 40 % of ancient coins sold on ebay, at the moment, are modern fakes.
There are a lot of  fake or reproduction coins on ebay at any given time.
The problem is how to spot them. The decent people who are selling them will let you know if they are fakes or copies, 

Read The description carefully
If the item description says things like "I think it's Silver", or "Silver/nickle" then be aware that silver roman coins were only made from silver.
If the description reads something like "Selling off my grandfathers collection he purchased some years ago". Then check the items carefully and ask questions as this can sometimes be a dubious description

As regards reproduction coins the better sellers will mark this in the listing but if you read something like
"There's writing round the edge, I think it's Roman" then ask questions.

Check the pictures
The letters WRL stamped  somewhere on the coin tells you it's a genuine reproduction.
"WRL" is Westair Reproductions Ltd. They are based in Birmingham, UK. People often buy these known replicas's as "space fillers" filling in the gaps of Emperor's etc in their collection until they can buy the genuine coin. They are also sold in museums as souvenirs and are often bought for schools to help with Roman studies.

Check for the word "copy" stamped somewhere on the coin, normally on the reverse. This seems obvious but can be overlooked in an auction as the stamping can be very small. Some times you will see a tiny letter "r" stamped on the reverse of the coin. The letter R stands for reproduction., this obviously tells you the coin is a modern reproduction, as does a tiny letter "R" stamped on the coin, again, usually the reverse. Some modern replica coins also have a letter 'S' stamped on them, again it is normally to the reverse of the coin, and the letter 'S' is snake like in appearence.

If you see the words REMO NEDA stamped on the outside of the coin then this also tells you that the coin is a modern copy. Some fake coins have no markings on them at all to tellyou they are fake so unfortunately the only way to gain experience in this is to handle as many coins as possible to guauge the true age of the coin you are interested in.

Check the sellers ID
Sometimes coins are made from moulds taken from a genuine coin. These will all have the same wear and scratch and wear marks on them making them look too similar. beware of private user IDs and coin sellers selling amazing low offer coins for £9.99 over and over again. If you see this and want to check the seller out then you will need to have a long look at the sellers feedback.

Sometimes coins are made from moulds taken from a genuine coin. These will all have the same wear and scratch and wear marks on them making them look too similar. beware of private user IDs and coin sellers selling amazing low offer coins for £9.99 over and over again. If you see this and want to check the seller out then you will need to have a long look at the sellers feedback.

How to make a silver testing kit using Schwerter's solution

When Potassium dichromate is dissolved in an approximately 35% nitric acid the solution created is called Schwerter's solution. Schwerter's solution is used to test for the presence of various metals, notably for determination of silver purity.

Cautions:
Avoid breathing the fumes and avoid skin contact. Nitric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, and Aqua Regia are extremely poisonous and corrosive !

Since the testing procedure requires the use of dangerous acids, special care should be taken not to spill or allow acid to touch the skin.

If acid comes in contact with the skin, wash the affected area with a mild soap and water as quickly as possible.

NEVER POUR WATER INTO ACID.  YOU MUST POUR ACID INTO WATER!!

You will need:
Nitric Acid (C.P.),
distilled water to mix the test solutions.
Potassium dichromate salts for making Schwerter's testing fluid.

Two acid bottles with ground glass stoppers and applicators
A Test stone
A graduated cylinder is recommended to measure the required proportions.
These items may be obtained from laboratory or chemical supply houses or local drug companies.

Mix 10 grams potassium dichromate salts with the ¾ oz. nitric acid plus ¼ oz. distilled water.
NEVER POUR WATER INTO ACID.  YOU MUST POUR ACID INTO WATER!!

Testing Silver
Scratch the article with a file and apply a drop of Nitric Acid. If it turns green, it is plated. If a cloudy cream, it is sterling or better. (Some silver contains less than 90% fine silver).

Testing Base Metals with Schwerter Salts
File a notch in the test piece and apply a drop of Schwerter's Solution in the notch.
Observe the colour reaction.

Schwerter's solution indications
Brass - Dark Brown
Copper - Brown
Nickel - Blue
Palladium - None
Gold - None
- Silver Pure - Bright Red
- Silver .925 - Dark Red
- Silver .800 - Brown
- Silver .500 - Green
Lead - Yellow
Tin - Yellow

Buy a silver testing kit for £12.95

5 Myths about Gold

The leprechaun is an Irish folklore fairy in Irish folklore. The leprechauns spent their time making shoes and making mischief.

Leprechauns store away all their coins in a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

If a leprechaun is captured by a human, the Leprechaun has the magical power to grant three wishes in exchange for their release.

Below are 5 other myths in circulation about gold

Gold is the Best Metal to Invest in.
This myth depends on the price. Over time silver and platinum have all taken similar paths of value.
Over time, silver has beaten gold by 25%, platinum by 5%. At different points one metal has risen much higher, while another has been left behind. You aren't always stuck with just gold.
Verdict: Myth

Gold is Safe Haven
In twenty years (1980 to 2000) the purchasing power of Gold fell by 80%. In 2008 the value fell by 33%
These facts dont represent a safe harbour from the storm. Gold is only an asset and is no safer than any other.
Verdict: Myth

Gold has Kept It's Purchasing Power
If gold had "kept its purchasing power over 3,000 years," that would merely mean it produced a real, inflation-adjusted return of 0%. Inflation-protected government bonds will give you inflation plus 2%.
Verdict: Myth

Gold is Overvalued
There is simply no evidence for this.
Verdict: Myth

Gold is the Only real money
The only thing that makes anything "money" is that other people—meaning "society"—accept it as such.
If Anarchy should come, then tinned food becomes a form of money. Moral: Always have plenty of tinned food stored in your cupboards.
Verdict: Myth

Buy a Silver Testing Kit

If you are unsure about the purity of your silver or even if the metal you are looking at even is Silver, then you probably need a Silver Testing Kit.

A silver testing kit uses a mix of chemicals that react on contact with silver. The contact mark made can be then wiped off after you have identified the metal.

This kit provides an accurate, affordable and easy-to-use means of testing precious metals. The kits are produced in a specialist laboratory (fully compliant with ISO9001:2008 standards) This ensures that the products are always manufactured to the highest industry standards.

The kits are all supplied laboratory-fresh with a long shelf-life.

This is a special solution for testing only silver. Unlike other kits which use the same solution for silver and gold, this kit has been designed for users who have no need to test gold.
See More

Contents:
Silver Testing Solution.
Full testing instructions.
Miniature needle file.
Used to check whether an item is plated, by removing a small part of the surface in a concealed spot before retesting.
Magnet.
Allows the item to be identified as possibly steel if it tests negative for silver.

Just apply a small spot of the test solution to the metal and wait. The spot will change colour depending on the metal underneath. If it turns red you have Silver. You can use the file to test if the metal is plated.

Buy Now
 More Details

How to turn Lead into Gold - Alchemy 101

See more about gold and silver

Before Science there was alchemy. Alchemy was a mix of crafts between science and mysticism and is probably the foundations of Chemistry.

The highest aim of alchemy was to turn base metal into gold by using transmutation. The meaning of transmute is to change from one form or substance into another; to transform or convert.

Lead was the most common base metal used but the goal of transmutation was not achieved until 1972.

To convert lead into gold requires a physical process rather than a chemical one. Lead has an atomic number 82 and gold has the atomic number 79. The atomic numbers are defined as elements by the number of protons they possess.

Changing the element requires changing the atomic (proton) number. In a circular particle accelerator, magnetic fields accelerate particles moving in circular paths. The accelerated particle impacts a target material, potentially knocking free protons or neutrons and making a new element or isotope. Nuclear reactors also may used for creating elements, although the conditions are less controlled.

Nature creates new elements by adding protons and neutrons to hydrogen atoms. This process occurs naturally within the nuclear reactions of stars. The process is called nucleosynthesis and creates increasingly heavier elements.

Elements heavier than iron are formed in the stellar explosion of a supernova. In a supernova gold can only be made into lead. Because lead is stable, forcing it to release three protons requires a vast input of energy, such that the cost of transmuting it greatly surpasses the value of the resulting gold.

However it is practical to get gold from lead ore.

The minerals galena, cerussit and anglesite often contain zinc, gold, silver, and other metals. Once the lead ore has been pulverized, chemical techniques are sufficient to separate the gold from the lead.

The legend of King Midas and all he touched turned to gold

The story of King Midas has had many variations that have been retold and added to many times. This version of the story taken from the ancient Greek adds some modern variations.

An old Satyr “Silenus” a teacher of gods and head of the satyrs had been drinking wine and had wandered off for one of his extended walks!

The drunken Satyr was later found in a ditch by some peasants and taken to their king. Their king “King Midas” recognized the Satyr and gave him rooms and food and invited the satyr to stay at the palace until he wished to leave.

Silenus entertained King Midas and his friends with his great songs and stories. After 11 days King Midas took Silenus back to his king “Bacchus”. Bacchus was so pleased to have Silenus back he offered King Midas a wish as a reward.

King Midas wished that: "Whatever he touched would turn to gold".

Midas rejoiced in his new power and quickly touched an oak twig that transformed itself into gold. Then he touched a stone that quickly turned yellow and also changed to gold.

As soon as the king arrived home he ordered the servants to create a feast.

"So Midas, king of Lydia, swelled at first with pride when he found he could transform everything he touched to gold; but when he beheld his food grow rigid and his drink harden into golden ice then he understood that this gift was a bane and in his loathing for gold, cursed his prayer.”

Midas now hated the gift he had wished for so, he prayed to Bacchus, begging to be delivered from starvation. Bacchus heard, and consented by telling Midas to wash in the river Pactolus.

Midas went to the river and when his hands touched the waters, the power flowed from him and into the river, and the sands of the river Pactolus were forever turned into gold.

See more about gold and silver

BBC Bargain Hunt - Charles Hanson Auction Profile

Gold and silver questions? See the site

Charles Hanson…We say sale!

Charles Hanson is a popular figure on BBC TV’s Bargain Hunt both as an antiques expert and as an auctioneer. With his a quirky dress sense – often appearing in suits that seem slightly too small for him and his youthful looking appearance. This belies the fact that he is well respected in the antiques world and is the owner of his own auction house that he set up in 2005.

Auctioneer and expert valuer Kate Bliss also works there.

Presenter Tim Wonnacott often refers to Charles Hanson as “Carlos”, for no particular reason that anyone can see, but somehow the name suits him.

Although Charles is good fun as an expert and no slouch at finding great bargains for his team, his auctioneering style is very entertaining.

The first thing you may notice is his rather hoarse voice. He shouts encouragement at his audience and has a range of great phrases. Look and listen out for “We say sale” and lots of, "I’m in your out”…type expressions all delivered amidst copious sips of water. His obvious enthusiasm is infectious and he often perseveres to get good prices.

The mysterious Miss Hornblower is becoming a feature of the Charles Hanson auction house when the Bargain Hunt Team is in town. Perhaps she always goes or perhaps she is lured by the cameras. Whoever she is, this smartly dressed audience member has been the saviour of many a bargain hunt team offering a dodgy item for sale!

Gold jumps to record high price on fears of US dollar tumble

Goldandsilverhallmarks.com

Gold jumps to new record price as dollar falls further

Analysts believe the price of gold is going to go even higher.

The price of gold has hit a new record high, caused by a weaker US dollar and the continuing problems in the Middle East and North Africa.

Spot gold rose to $1,513.70 (£917.60) an ounce during early trading in Asia, before retreating.

Investors buy precious metals as a safe investment to guard against inflation and recent geopolitical turmoil. These are somtimes known as a "hedge" or safe funds.

Dealers say gold could even trade as high as $1,520 an ounce.

A weak US dollar is generally asociated  with higher gold prices, as both are seen as safe investments.

Monday was the seventh consecutive trading session that saw the price of gold rise.

"It's the dollar play," said a Singapore-based dealer. "There is more room for prices to go even higher."

On Wednesday, the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, is expected to affirm the commitment of America's central bank to quantitative easing, a programme to flood money markets with liquidity.

That also tends to drive down the value of the dollar.

Analysts say the prospect of low interest rates in the US is causing investors seeking better returns towards buying gold.

Investors continue to react nervously to the uncertainty in the Middle East. An escalation in violence in Yemen and Syria over the weekend has also helped the price of gold strengthen.

Gold is not the only precious metal enjoying a rally, as silver is also on the rise.

Spot silver, sometimes called the poor man's gold, hit $47.88 an ounce, the highest price since 1980.