What happens if your gold tests lower than the stamp says

If you sell old gold and it tests lower than the stamp, you have three choices. You can sell at the tested purity, take the gold home, or test it at another shop first. Nothing has to happen at the counter that day, and a fair buyer will show you the reading before asking you to decide.

We are Cash for Gold - Sona Do Paise Lo, in Noida Extension (Greater Noida West), and our pickups cover Delhi NCR. This post is for anyone who has just been told, or fears being told, that their piece is not what the stamp says.

Why does my gold test lower than the stamp?

It happens more often than people expect. Common reasons:

Older pieces. Jewellery made decades ago was often stamped by the maker or the local jeweller, with no outside check on the number.
Repairs and soldering. A chain mended several times can carry solder that is lower in purity than the rest.
Loose stamps. A "22" on a clasp or a ring band does not always mean the whole piece is 22 karat. Our post on what a karat stamp does not tell you explains why.
Hollow or filled pieces. Some bangles and chains have a lighter core, which changes the reading.
Wear. Surface wear and cleaning can leave the outer layer different from the metal underneath.

None of this means anyone has cheated you. A stamp is a claim about the piece. The test measures the metal in front of you.

What does the karatmeter actually show?

A karatmeter reads the metal and gives a purity figure, such as 22 karat or 91.6 percent. That is the same thing the number "916" on your jewellery is claiming. If you want the full steps, read how a karatmeter reading is taken.

Two things matter for your decision.

Where the test is taken. A good reading is taken on a clean, bare part of the piece. A tested spot should be one you can see, not one hidden from you.
More than one spot. If a piece has a clasp, a link or a repaired section, ask for a second reading on the main body. The numbers may differ, and that is useful to know.

We test your gold on a karatmeter while you watch. You should be able to see the screen yourself, not take our word for what it says.

What should the buyer show you?

When the reading comes in below the stamp, a buyer should do these things without being asked:

Show you the screen with the purity figure on it.
Tell you the weight on the scale, in grams, with the scale where you can see it.
Explain how the figure for your piece is worked out. It comes from three inputs: weight, purity and the rate. The actual figure is worked out at the counter once the piece is tested. Our post on the three numbers that decide what you are paid walks through them.
Offer a second reading if you doubt the first.

If a buyer will not show the screen, or goes quiet when you ask for a retest, treat that as information. Our list of five questions to ask any buyer is worth reading before you go to any shop.

Should I still sell old gold if it tests lower?

That depends on you, not on the stamp. Here are the three choices.

1. Sell at the tested purity

This is reasonable if you need the money and the reading looks consistent. The gold you hold is worth what it is, whatever the stamp says. A lower purity changes the figure for the piece, but the rate and the weight still apply. Ask for the working to be explained, then decide.

2. Take it home

You are free to say no. You have lost nothing by getting a test. If the reading shocks you, go home, talk to your family and come back, or do not come back. Nothing has to happen today. A buyer who tries to keep you at the counter is not someone to sell to.

3. Test it somewhere else

This is a sensible step if the gap between stamp and reading is large. Take the piece to a second buyer, or to a hallmarking centre if you want an outside opinion. If you do, keep the piece in your own hands. Our post on carrying gold safely covers how.

If two readings from two shops agree, believe them. If they differ a lot, ask each shop where on the piece they tested.

What if I have a bill that says 22 karat?

Keep it and show it. A bill tells the buyer what the shop that sold it claimed at the time. It does not change what the metal reads today. Plenty of people sell old gold with a bill that says one thing and a test that says another, and the test is what a buyer pays on.

Do not argue about it at the counter. Ask for the reading to be repeated on a different part of the piece. If it still comes in lower, you have your answer, and you can decide among the three choices above.

If you have no bill at all, that is common and manageable. See selling gold without the original bill.

How do I stay calm if the number is a surprise?

Some practical steps:

Ask for the reading before anything else. Do not talk about price until you have seen the purity and the weight.
Write down what you were told. Purity, weight in grams and the shop's name take ten seconds to note on your phone.
Bring someone with you if you are anxious. A second person hears things you may miss.
Do not sign or hand over ID until you have decided to sell. Our post on why a buyer asks for photo ID explains what the ID is for.

If you are selling because money is tight, a lower reading is hard news. It is still better to hear it at a counter where you can walk away than to find out after the sale.

Where can I get the gold tested near me?

If you live in Noida Extension or nearby, our Noida Extension page has the address and how to reach us. For Noida sectors, see selling gold in Noida. If you would rather start with a call, call or WhatsApp 9217742656 and ask what a test involves before you travel anywhere.

You can also read about our cash for gold process. For Hindi readers, gold bechna hai covers the same steps in Hinglish. If you have purana sona and doubts about the stamp, a test costs you nothing but a visit, and the decision stays yours.

Questions people ask

Can gold be lower than the karat stamp on it? Yes. A stamp is the maker's or seller's claim, and older or repaired pieces often read lower on a karatmeter. The reading is what a buyer pays on.

Do I have to sell if my gold tests lower than expected? No. You can take the piece home, test it at another shop, or sell at the tested purity. A fair buyer lets you decide without pressure.

Can I ask a buyer to test my gold again? Yes, and you should if the reading surprises you. Ask for a second reading on a different part of the piece, or call or WhatsApp 9217742656 to ask how we handle retests before you visit.

How the karatmeter reading is taken · Why the published rate is not your payout