Real Gold Grillz vs Fake/Plated: How to Tell the Difference
With grillz available at wildly different price points, it's not always obvious what you're actually buying. "Real" gold or silver grillz are made from solid precious metal throughout, while "fake" or plated grillz are a base metal — usually brass — coated in a thin layer of gold or silver. Here's how to tell the difference, and what to look out for before you buy.
What "Fake" Grillz Actually Means
It's worth being precise here: plated grillz aren't necessarily a scam — many sellers are upfront that a piece is gold-plated rather than solid gold, and at a low price point that's an honest trade-off. The issue arises when a piece is marketed or implied to be solid gold or silver but is actually a plated base metal, or when the difference isn't made clear at all.
1. Check for a Hallmark or Stamp
Genuine solid gold and silver pieces are typically stamped with a mark indicating purity — for example, "925" for sterling silver, or a karat marking like "10K" or "14K" for gold. Plated pieces are sometimes stamped "GP" (gold plated) or "GF" (gold filled) — both of which mean the piece is not solid precious metal.
What to look for: A clear purity stamp (925, 10K, 14K, etc.) on the piece itself, and a seller who states the material plainly — not just "gold" or "iced out" with no further detail.
2. Material Composition
Solid gold or silver grillz are the same material all the way through — there's no "core" to expose. Plated grillz are a base metal (commonly brass) with a thin gold or silver layer on the outside. Over time, this layer wears away through normal contact with teeth, saliva, and cleaning, revealing the base metal underneath.
What to look for: If a piece looks slightly different in colour at any edge, scratch, or wear point, that's a strong sign of plating rather than solid metal.
3. Tarnishing and Wear Patterns
Solid gold doesn't tarnish, and solid silver only develops a surface tarnish that cleans off easily without changing the underlying metal. Plated pieces, once the plating wears through, expose a base metal that can tarnish, discolour, or even cause skin/gum irritation — and this damage can't be cleaned away, because it's the metal itself changing, not just the surface.
What to look for: If a "gold" piece starts showing a different colour (often yellowish-grey or coppery) after a few months of normal wear, it was very likely plated rather than solid.
4. The Acid Test (Best Left to Professionals)
Jewellers sometimes use a nitric acid test: a small scratch is made on an inconspicuous part of the piece, and acid is applied. Genuine gold won't react, while base metals will discolour or corrode visibly. This is a legitimate test, but it's destructive (it leaves a small mark) and best performed by a jeweller — not something to try yourself on a piece you care about.
5. Price as a Signal (Not Proof)
Price alone can't confirm whether something is solid or plated, but it's a useful sanity check. Solid 925 silver custom grillz typically start from around £65 for a single tooth. If a "solid gold" full set is priced dramatically below what gold material and craftsmanship would reasonably cost, that's a reason to ask more questions — not necessarily proof of dishonesty, but worth clarifying with the seller before buying.
Why This Matters Beyond Aesthetics
Beyond the obvious issue of paying for something you didn't get, plated base metals can be more likely to cause irritation against gums and teeth — particularly with prolonged wear. For more on the broader safety picture, see our are grillz bad for your teeth guide.
How to Buy with Confidence
Ask directly what the piece is made from — solid gold/silver, or plated — and expect a clear, specific answer (e.g. "solid 925 silver" or "10K gold," not just "gold").
Look for a hallmark or stated purity on the product listing, not just marketing language like "iced out" or "premium."
Check reviews and photos of pieces after wear, not just brand-new product shots — this can reveal how a material holds up over time.
Understand what you're trading off with cheaper plated pieces — see our DIY vs custom grillz comparison for a fuller breakdown of cost vs durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gold-plated jewellery always a scam? No — plated pieces are a legitimate, lower-cost option as long as they're sold honestly as plated, not misrepresented as solid gold.
What does "925" mean on a grillz piece? It indicates sterling silver — 92.5% pure silver alloyed with other metals for durability. This is the standard for "solid silver" jewellery.
Can I do an acid test myself at home? It's possible, but it's a destructive test that leaves a small mark, and results can be misread without experience — best left to a jeweller if you're uncertain about an existing piece.
Why are some "gold" grillz so cheap? Very low prices for "gold" grillz almost always indicate plated base metal rather than solid gold, given the cost of gold as a raw material.
How can I be sure my custom grillz are solid metal? Buy from a maker who states the material clearly (e.g. "solid 925 silver" or "10K/14K gold") and stamps or documents this on the piece.
Solid Metal, Always
Every Ice Jeweller piece is made from solid 925 silver or solid 10K/14K gold — never plated — clearly stated, custom-fitted, with free UK delivery.
