You're about to buy a gold chain from someone you don't fully trust, maybe a stranger on Facebook Marketplace, maybe a listing that says "real gold" in the title and nothing else. Before you hand over cash, there are a few tests that actually work. Or you skip the guesswork completely: the Miami Cuban Link Chain is sold for exactly what it is, 316L steel with 18K gold PVD plating, waterproof and hypoallergenic, backed by a Lifetime Warranty and a free chain on every order, so there's nothing to verify because nothing's being hidden.
If you're buying secondhand or from someone you can't fully vet, though, here's how to check.
Start with the stamp
Real solid gold jewelry almost always carries a hallmark: 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K, or a purity number like 585 or 750. Silver carries 925. No stamp at all is a red flag, though not proof of anything by itself, since some older or handmade pieces genuinely lack one.
A stamp that says "gold plated," "GP," or "GF" for gold filled means the seller is telling you outright it isn't solid, which is the honest version of what you're looking at. Use a jeweler's loupe or your phone's macro camera to actually read it. A lot of fakes either skip the stamp entirely or fake one so worn you can't verify it.
Run the magnet test
Gold isn't magnetic, and neither is quality stainless steel. If a chain sticks to a strong magnet, even a little, it isn't solid gold and it isn't quality steel either. It's a cheap base alloy with a thin coating on top, and that's the version that fades and discolors fast.
This test only rules things out, it doesn't confirm anything on its own. A refrigerator magnet is too weak to trust; use a small neodymium magnet and hold the chain a few inches away first, since a strong magnet pulls steel from further than you'd expect.
How it wears over time matters more than how it looks new
A fake chain often looks perfect in a listing photo and starts showing its true colors within days. Gold plating over a low-quality base wears thin exactly where the chain touches skin most, usually the clasp and the underside against your neck. Ask to see a used piece under bright light and look for dulling or a different tone where wear has started. That patchiness is the base metal showing through, and a magnet test alone won't catch it.
Be honest about the price
Gold has a real spot price that doesn't move enough to make a legitimate solid gold Cuban chain sell for $60. If a listing claims solid 14K gold at a price that's a fraction of scrap value for that much metal, it's not solid gold, full stop. Sellers upfront about plating usually price accordingly and say so directly, which is exactly the standard worth holding every listing to.
Watch how the seller reacts to questions
Ask for a close-up photo of the stamp, or ask if you can get the piece appraised before paying. A legitimate seller of solid gold has no reason to refuse either request. Hesitation, a rushed sale, or pressure to pay immediately in cash is its own red flag, often a bigger one than anything you can test on the chain itself.
When in doubt, ask a jeweler
A jeweler can run an acid test or an XRF scan in a few minutes for a small fee, and it's the only way to get a confirmed answer on a piece you already own. Worth the trip before a big purchase from someone you don't know. Not necessary for a chain that already tells you what it's made of on the product page.
Where Saphir comes in
Every Saphir piece, including the Miami Cuban Link Chain, is listed for exactly what it is: 316L stainless steel with 18K gold PVD plating, waterproof, tarnish-resistant, and hypoallergenic, with a Lifetime Warranty backing it. Every order ships with a free chain, and WELCOME10 takes 10% off your first one. For more on the difference between plated, filled, and solid gold, see gold-plated vs. gold-filled vs. solid gold.
The tests above will keep you from buying a lie. Buying from a brand that tells you the truth up front skips the test entirely.