I have a mirror that is framed with a very heavy gold standing frame. It is 9 1/2 inches round with the legs and decorative flowers extended beyond this. I believe it is too heavy to be anything but gold. There is a gold rose 1 1/2 inches long and a little over 1 inch wide that extends up and out over the mirror. The rose and other decorations that extend out over the mirror are all part of a one piece frame of gold looking very heavy metal. The back of the frame is also gold looking. This is very old.
2006-06-12 08:43:21 · 8 answers · asked by claranash1552 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Sculpture
Take it to a jeweler or an antique dealer. (I'd trust the jeweler better, because he isn't in the business of buying stuff like that and he is more likely to know how to tell its composition.) If it was just a solid piece, like a paperweight, you could calculate its density. That won't work with the mirror attached to it, as the mirror could be damaged in the process. Don't do the other stuff people mention, because it may damage the mirror. Even if it's not golden, it may still be valuable so don't risk it.
2006-06-12 08:57:41 · answer #1 · answered by anonymous 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is highly unlikely that this mirror is solid gold, though I hope for your pocket book that it is. A mirror is a practical object, likely to be used and therefore in danger of breakage. If it were solid gold, it would hit any floor so hard it would do a lot of damage. It is likely plated. Gold is likely NOT to be 24 karat in decorative objects like that. Pure gold is very soft and is therefore impractical for use in jewelry and decorative objects.
Is it gold? A jeweler will know, yes. But you can simply look for corrosion. Gold and even it's alloys does not corrode. Look at it with a magnifying glass - what's under the gold layer?
Other metals are very heavy too - it's likely to be brass underneath.
2006-06-17 08:20:30 · answer #2 · answered by Thom Thumb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is any discoloration at all to the frame it is likely not gold. Gold will bend, wear, and scratch but will not break or assume a different color under the surface. On the back of the frame make a small scratch and see what happens. If another color appears under the surface it has been plated. If in doubt...take it to a jewellers who can test for gold and it's karat.
2006-06-12 09:58:13 · answer #3 · answered by gailandnormhare 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gold is usually 24 Karat. There are twelve ounces to the Troy pound. Not sixteen. I think, ultimately, it's by an acid test but I'm not sure. Do this; check the following:
www.howstuffworks.com
and type in: gold testing.
Don't do anything to it if you're planning to sell it as an antique as this will bring down the value considerably if someone hasn't done this already. PBS is good to check for listings as they have appraisal specialist programs it might be worth your while to check on.
2006-06-12 08:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tie a hair on it. Burn the hair. If only the hair burns it's gold. If it leaves a stain behind it's fake. It's risky, but that's an easy way to find out.
2006-06-12 08:49:19 · answer #5 · answered by SuNsHiNe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a magnet to it. Gold will not stick to a magnet.
2006-06-12 08:48:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
u bite the **** out of it and if it hurts its probly gold or a rock but if smushy its gold out of your nose and i wouldnt try to bite that
2006-06-12 09:19:58 · answer #7 · answered by Britney B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it to an antique store they should be able to tell you if it is real gold or not
2006-06-12 08:49:20 · answer #8 · answered by mama e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋