Habaki question..

[AdamH]

Other than having the metal tested for its content, is there a way to determine if a habaki is solid gold?  Is there a particular design that is common for solid gold?

 

I have the below habaki from a shinto katana I purchased direct from Japan. There was no mention on the material of the habaki.

See pics below, and let me know your thoughts. 

[1kinko]

24K gold doesn’t tarnish or take a patina.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Weight will be a easy indicator. If you are unsure you can have it tested at a jewelers.

[Bugyotsuji]

As above. Does it feel heavy in the hand?

[Dave R]

 It's more likely to be gold foiled over copper, in keeping with Japanese tradition and aesthetics. If it was solid gold you can be bloody sure the vendor would have mad a BIG point of it!

[1kinko]

Yup, but I see no evidence of foil or folding. Also, I see no evidence of plating abrasion that would reveal an underlying metal.

[Bugyotsuji]

I don’t see why not. You do come across them. Just an added bonus. 

[Surfson]

If that habaki is solid gold, I agree with the others - it will be noticeably heavier than a typical habaki.  

 

If you don't want to take it to a jeweler, you can get a simple acid based test kit.  You would rub it on an abrasive stone, and then treat it with the different grades of acid.  I have never used one of these, but they seem fairly simple, and as long as you are careful to choose an unobrusive part of the habaki, the rubbing part won't be overly destructive.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Platinum-Testing-Stone-Jewelers/dp/B000OVHWLK/ref=asc_df_B000OVHWLK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312270791747&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7381579657912300181&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021715&hvtargid=pla-569657247504&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62213987215&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312270791747&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7381579657912300181&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021715&hvtargid=pla-569657247504

 

[Franco]

This habaki appears to be made of a solid material, not foiled. My guess would be that it is not a "solid gold." A jeweler should be able to give you both a karat and weight reading. 

[Bazza]

There is always the 'home test' that easily allows the calculation of specific gravity.  If gold it will stand out like the proverbial...

 

BaZZa.