Before stepping into a shop, you must know the current of gold. This is the raw market value of gold per gram, which fluctuates daily.

Use a jeweler's loupe or your phone's zoom to find stamps like "14K," "18K," or the BIS Hallmark (e.g., 916 for 22K). Be wary of marks like "GP" (Gold Plated) or "GF" (Gold Filled), which indicate the item is not solid gold.

Use an app like Kitco or check live updates on Goodreturns to have real-time data on your phone. 2. Verify Authenticity On-Site Don't just trust the tag. Perform these checks:

Real gold is not magnetic. If the chain sticks to a strong magnet, it likely has a steel or nickel core.