Around 12% of the American population owns gold, proof that we love this valuable stone.
Whether it’s a gold bar or an elegant ring, you need to know you’ve spent your money on a precious product. If you’re having doubts, it’s important to test it.
Not sure how to tell if gold is real? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know.
Do a Visual Inspection
“How do I tell if gold is real?” You ask.
Check whether there’s a hallmark as real gold is stamped with a karat weight like 10K to tell you how much gold is in it. You can find the stamp on the inner band of a ring or the clasp of a necklace. It ranges from 9K to 24K.
Use a magnifying glass to identify the hallmark as it can be tiny on small gold items like rings.
You should also check for letters like GP, GF, and GEP as it indicates your gold is plated. This means there’s a thin layer of gold over another metal like copper, not making it real gold.
Look out for any discoloration where the gold as worn away. Carefully examine the edges of jewelry or coins as it often rubs up against your skin or clothing during the day. If there’s a different metal underneath, it’s not real.
Hold a Magnet up to It
If you’re wondering “does gold stick a magnet?”, try the test.
Get a high-strength magnet from a local hardware store and place it near your gold item. Fake gold or alloys will instantly be attracted to the magnet which proves it’s either artificial or there’s a tiny percent of it.
If the item is slightly magnetic but doesn’t stick, it’s likely gold-plated. This is common with fake coins that appear to be gold because they’re metal underneath the coating.
But it’s important to note, this test isn’t always completely accurate. This is because some counterfeit items feature other non-magnetic metals like silver so make sure you perform additional tests to ensure it’s gold.
The Skin Test
If you’re unsure how to see if gold is real, do the skin test. To do this, hold your gold item in your hand for several minutes and if your skin turns to a black or green color, it’s fake.
This is because the sweat on your skin creates a chemical reaction with alloy metals but it wouldn’t with genuine gold unless you’re allergic.
The Float Test
One of the easiest real gold tests is the ‘Float Test’. Fill a glass 3/4 of the way with water and drop your gold item into it. Genuine gold will sink to the bottom because of its high density.
But if your gold item floats or hovers above the cup’s bottom, then it’s fake or plated because its density is lower. You should conduct this test alongside others because a fake piece of jewelry could also have heavy non-precious metals that sink too.
The Ceramic Test
If you’re still asking “is it gold?”, try the ceramic test.
You must only use an unglazed piece of ceramic as it could compromise test results. Then, drag your gold over the ceramic plate with slight pressure. If there’s a gold mark left on the ceramic then it’s real. But if you notice a streak of black, then it’s fake. This test slightly scratches your gold but it shouldn’t leave any noticeable damage.
The Liquid Foundation Test
Like the ceramic plate test, you can do the same with liquid foundation if you don’t want any scratches.
First, cover the back of your hand with a layer of foundation and then sprinkle setting powder over it. Wait for the foundation to dry and then press gold into your skin.
Lightly rub the gold against the makeup and if it leaves a line or black streak, it’s most likely authentic. But if there isn’t a line or black streak, it’s probably another metal or it’s gold-plated.
The Vinegar Test
Grab a dropper and fill it with white vinegar. Then, place your gold on a flat surface with a paper towel underneath to prevent any mess. Now, drip a few drops of vinegar onto the gold. If the vinegar changes the gold’s color, it’s not pure. Only pure gold is unchanging.
The Nitric Acid Test
Another way to test pure gold is by doing the nitric acid test. Before you start, go to a well-ventilated area, wear goggles, and latex gloves to avoid any issues.
Use a sharp tool and make a scratch on a less obvious place like underneath a clasp. Then, use a jewelry engraver to cut into the gold and scratch until you bury beneath the top layer.
Place the gold item into a stainless steel container and drip a single drop of acid onto the scratch you made. If it turns green then it’s a fake as genuine gold doesn’t react to the acid.
Not comfortable doing this? Ask a jeweler and they can test your gold instead.
That’s How to Tell If Gold Is Real
Now you know how to tell if gold is real.
There are simple ways of testing its authenticity like seeing if your skin reacts to it or if there’s discoloration. You can also try the floating, ceramic, and nitric acid test to check whether the gold is authentic.
Those having problems should consult with a professional jeweler as they have the experience and expertise to test without harming your gold. Good luck!
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