How can I tell if my jewellery is made of real gold?

A hallmark stamped on the metal is the most reliable way to confirm that a piece of jewellery contains real gold. Hallmarks indicate the alloy's purity, expressed as a millesimal fineness number: 750 for 18-karat gold, 585 for 14-karat. The stamp is often small enough to require a jeweller's loupe to read clearly. If no hallmark is visible, or if you have doubts about a piece you already own, a professional jeweller can verify authenticity through weight measurement and acid or electronic testing. For Valquère pieces, the gold alloy used in each setting is specified on the product page and confirmed in the accompanying documentation, so you have a written record from the point of purchase. When buying any fine jewellery, ask for documentation that states the metal type and purity rather than relying on visual inspection alone.