Is your bracelet real gold? Here's how the Chinese are making gold-coated bracelets

The gold bracelet you're wearing might not be made of pure gold, and you might not even realize it without cutting it open.

This issue came to light when an X (formerly Twitter) user shared a video revealing how gold bracelets are being made. According to the user, the bracelets are manufactured in China with very little gold, and it's difficult to determine the actual gold content without cutting them open.

"Images from China have sparked discussion. They are producing bracelets using minimal amounts of gold. It’s impossible to tell if the products are real without cutting them open," the user stated.


In the video, a person is seen wrapping a thin gold sheet around a metal wire, which is then cut into small, ring-shaped pieces to form the bracelet.

The viral video has been viewed nearly 9 million times.

One X user commented that the technique is well-known: "The technique is called ‘Vermeil,’ and it’s been used for centuries. Expect to see more jewelry made this way as gold prices continue to rise," wrote Michael M. Rogers.

Another user noted that identifying real gold isn’t difficult with a simple scratch test: "It’s easy to tell if it’s real. Just do a scratch test in a discreet area. This is what we do in pawn shops," said Jessy Van Meter.

A different user added, "I believe this is called gold-filled. There’s nothing shady going on—it’s just a type of jewelry-making technique. If you weigh it, it’ll be different from solid 14k or 18k, so no need to cut it. The stamp should also indicate that it’s gold-filled."

Meanwhile, Indian users chimed in, boasting of their local expertise: "Come to India, our jewelers and goldsmiths can tell you within minutes," said one. Another added, "Classic case of gold-plated dreams! Indian jewelers would spot this faster than you can say 'karat.' Nothing escapes their expert eyes!"

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