Five classic home tests, scored honestly. Answer what you can observe right now. No test here proves anything on its own, but together they point somewhere useful.
Is there a hallmark or stamp inside the band?
Look for marks like 10K, 14K, 18K, 585, 750, 925, PLAT, or PT950. You may need a magnifying glass.
Does a strong magnet pull the ring?
Use the strongest magnet you have. Gold, silver, and platinum are not magnetic.
Fog test: breathe on the stone. Does the fog clear almost instantly?
Real diamonds disperse heat fast, so fog vanishes in about a second. Skip if there is no stone.
Does the ring feel substantial for its size?
Gold and platinum are much denser than brass or steel. A real piece feels heavier than it looks.
Did the price seem too good to be true?
Real gold and diamonds hold value. Deep discounts on "real" pieces are the oldest red flag there is.
Answer all five questions first, use "not sure" if you have to.
Home tests are hints, not proof. A photo scan checks identity, authenticity signals, and value in seconds.
Check for a hallmark such as 10K, 14K, 18K, 585, 750, 925, or PT950, test it with a strong magnet, and feel the weight. Real gold and platinum are dense and not magnetic. These home tests are hints, not proof, plated pieces can pass several of them.
A strong pull means the core is likely a magnetic base metal, which real gold is not. But many fakes use non-magnetic metals like brass or copper, so passing the magnet test does not prove a ring is real.
Breathe on the stone as if fogging a mirror. A real diamond disperses heat so quickly that the fog clears almost instantly. If the fog lingers for several seconds, the stone may be glass, cubic zirconia, or another simulant.
Home tests only give hints. GemstoneAI analyzes a photo of your ring for identity, authenticity signals, and treatment indicators, then estimates market value. It is free to try. For high value pieces, a professional appraisal remains the gold standard.