(a) A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of gold or a gold alloy, which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, any mark which indicates or is designed or intended to indicate that the gold or gold alloy in the item is greater than its actual degree of fineness, unless the actual fineness of the gold or gold alloy:

(b) For purposes of this section, in any assay or test undertaken to ascertain the fineness of gold or gold alloy in any item, the part of the gold or gold alloy used may not contain or have attached to it any solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item.

(c) With respect to any item other than flatware or a watch case, in addition to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the actual fineness of all gold, gold alloy, and solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item shall be assayed as one piece and may not be less than the fineness indicated by the mark by more than one karat.