Several gold testing methods are widely used to test gold authenticity at home. A few easy tests can be performed using readily available ingredients or items to check if the gold is real, gold-plated, or fake. Fortunately, these tests do not require you to be a certified jeweler or professional to know whether the gold is real or fake.
Coming back to the question on hand, how to tell if gold is real? Well, it is not easy to spot fake imitations, therefore, people often pay a higher price for a cheaper piece of jewelry. Only after testing, the buyer can be assured that they are not buying counterfeit gold.
How to Tell if Gold is Real?
In today’s gold-hungry market, there is a lot of fake circulating the market also known as gold-filled, gold-plated, and heavy gold electroplated. These gold items are worthless, only manufactured to imitate gold’s qualities using common elements.
People not familiar with the physical and chemical qualities of gold are often tricked into buying fake gold ornaments.
Gold is a precious metal that can be bought after spending a fortune, therefore, buyers should know about the purity of the gold.
Prospective gold traders need to know about the various gold testing methods to distinguish real gold from fake gold.
Karat is the unit used for measuring authenticity, for instance, 24K is the purest gold with 99.1% gold metal in its composition.
Conversely, 14K gold contains 58.3% gold while the rest is a metal alloy. Any item less than 10K is considered an imitation.
Fake gold items are made of entirely different materials with a thin gold plating on top.
Gold Testing Methods
Gold’s authenticity can be easily checked using common household items. Gold testing does not require you to invest in fancy equipment as it can be tested using a magnifying glass, vinegar, magnet, lighter, and other similar things.
Here is a step-by-step guide to testing gold with various testing methods.
1. Stamp Test
Grab a magnifying glass to look for official hallmarks engraved on the gold jewelry or item.
These hallmarks and symbols give away a lot of information about the gold purity level and the date of manufacture.
However, it would take a little effort to locate hallmarks as they are usually located in an inconspicuous place.
Usually, the Karat and Millesimal Fineness systems are used to check the authenticity of the gold.
- Karat System – In the US, the purity number along with the letter ‘K’ is given on the piece of gold under the karat system, with 24K being the pure gold and 8K and 10K being the least.
- Millesimal Fineness System – This system is used in European countries with purity numbers expressed in decimal (.585, .625, .750, 958, or 999)
Not all gold items are engraved with a hallmark or purity number, even if some older items do, the markings are usually worn off due to aging.
2. Letter Markings
If letters GP, GF, GE, GEP, HGP, or HEG are marked on the jewelry piece, it is either considered counterfeit or contains a small percentage of pure gold.
- Gold-Plated (GP) – A thin layer of gold is coated on the top of the existing metal, usually silver or copper. Plated gold is not as valuable as real gold and the coating lasts many years owing to the use of chemical or electrochemical bonding.
- Gold-Filled (GF) – As opposed to GP, it uses a thick layer of higher quality 18K gold on the base metal to make it look like a real gold jewelry piece.
In addition, Gold Electroplated (GE), Gold Electro Plated (GEP), Heavy Gold Plated (HGP), and Heavy Electroplated Gold (HEG) indicate gold plating on top of some other metal.
3. Water Test
The water test for gold is also called the float test or density test, gold metal being incredibly dense sinks to the bottom when dropped in a container of water.
- Put the Gold in the Water Container – Depending on the gold size, fill the container with water, and drop the gold item gently into the water to see if it floats and sinks. Pure gold is heavy and dense and it immediately falls directly to the bottom of the container while the imitation gold floats.
- Observe Discoloration – Solid gold does not rust, discolor, or tarnish even after being in the water, if the item is plated, you may notice discoloration.
4. Magnet Test
It is arguably one of the most popular gold testing methods to test gold’s purity with a magnet. Since gold is not magnetic at all, it will not be reactive when exposed to a strong magnet.
- Testing – Use a strong magnet and hold it up to a piece of gold, the real gold is not attracted to the magnet. If the article is attracted by the magnet, it is not pure gold.
This test can not be relied upon to get accurate results if the item is made with non-magnetic material, for instance, stainless steel.
It is better to combine with some reliable testing methods to check the purity of the gold.
5. Ceramic Scratch Test
Most people are reluctant to go for this testing method as it involves scratching gold.
It is not recommended if you do not want to damage your precious gold item. The ceramic scratch test is one of the most foolproof testing methods to check the authenticity of the gold.
- Unglazed Ceramic Plate – Invest in an unglazed ceramic plate or tile to scratch the gold piece against. Glazed tile may affect the accuracy of results. Gently rub the gold item with the tile to perform results with minimum damage.
- Testing – As you drag the item across the tile, you will observe real gold flaking off and leaving a gold streak or markings. If the gold piece leaves a black streak, it is an indication that the gold is fake.
Although this test scratches the gold jewelry item, the damage done is barely noticeable.
6. Skin Test
It is a simple test that requires you to observe any discoloration on the skin from wearing the gold jewelry.
Real gold is non-reactive to oil and sweat from the skin, therefore, do not leave any green, blue, or black marks on the skin.
The color of the skin remains unaffected by gold jewelry unless you are wearing a liquid foundation.
On the other hand, wearing a gold piece leaves a bluish or greenish tint on the skin.
Silver turns the skin black while copper leaves green markings at the points of contact.
Lower karat gold jewelry pieces like 14K or 10K leave marks owing to the lesser gold content in the composition.
7. Makeup Test
Interestingly enough, liquid foundation and powder makeup can be used to test the purity of the gold.
- Testing – Put a layer of foundation and powder on the back of the hand. Rub the piece of jewelry against the skin gently after the makeup has dried.
- Results – Pure gold will leave behind black markings when rubbed against the foundation lightly. If there are no black streaks, the piece of jewelry is an imitation or gold-plated.
8. Acid Test
The gold does not change properties or show any reaction when exposed to acidic elements like vinegar or nitric acid.
These are slightly riskier testing methods as semi-precious stone may get damaged in the process or it has an impact on the aesthetic value of the piece.
- Vinegar Test – Place the gold item on a flat surface, put a few drops of vinegar on the gold using a dropper, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Since gold does not react to acidic elements, it should not show any change in color. If it does, the piece is fake.
- Nitric Acid – A person has to be extra careful with this test as careless application may damage the jewelry item. Follow safety precautions when performing this test and do not apply it to any items that hold significant personal value.
Make a small scratch on the jewelry by rubbing it against a black stone or hard surface.
Make sure that the scratching leaves a noticeable mark, and apply nitric acid to the marking. If other metals are present besides gold, it will dissolve them.
9. Lighter Test
This quick, and easy-to-do test is quite famous among pawnshop owners and gold traders who have been presented with fake gold jewelry with lighter.
- Testing – Instead of the ordinary lighter, invest in a high-quality lighter with a stable, constant flame. Hang a jewelry item on a metal surface or hold it with the help of pliers and expose it to the lighter’s flame for a minute or so.
- Results – It is not real gold if the article changes color or becomes darker. On the contrary, gold appears brighter and shinier when the flame is applied.
10. Fool-Proof Tests
All of the gold testing methods mentioned above can not deliver 100% accurate results or are considered foolproof.
These methods may inform the trader about whether or not the gold is real, still, one would want to be 100% sure when investing in this precious metal.
Thanks to technological advancements, testing the authenticity of the gold is now easier than ever without damaging your favorite gold piece.
Using the electronic kit, a gold trader can not only determine if the gold is fake or not but check the percentage of real gold content in the item’s composition.
Moreover, these methods do not inflict mechanical or chemical damage or negatively impact the value of the piece.
- Electronic Testers – Although expensive, these electronic machines are designed to find inconsistencies in gold pieces accurately. This tester instantly informs about the metals present in the item.
These devices work by sending electromagnetic waves into the piece which pass through the plating to measure the resistance of the base metal.
Its digital meter will display the resistance and detect whether the gold is real or not in a matter of seconds.
11. XRF Spectrometer
Unlike electronic testers, XRF Spectrometers send X-rays through the gold item to check its authenticity.
X-rays excite gold atoms into a high-energy state, and upon returning to their original position, the excited atoms emit radiation.
XRF spectrometer monitors the radiations to identify and distinguish between the metals used in the composition.
This method is quick and precise and determines the percentage of gold content without damaging the ornaments.
12. Take it to the Certified Professional
Last but not least, the most common way of checking the authenticity of the gold is by taking it to a reputable professional or jeweler.
These professionals have a variety of methods and tools to accurately determine the gold content in the article.
When testing gold at home, there is a chance that a fake item may pass off as a real one.
Reputable jewelers have years of experience in creating and analyzing gold ornaments, so it would not be difficult for them to assess counterfeit gold.
With a lot of fake gold pieces and coins circulating the market, at-home tests would not be 100% conclusive in determining the authenticity of the gold.
FAQs
How do you test if gold is real at home?
float test which can be done by filling up a container of water and dropping the jewelry piece in it. If it floats, the gold is fake and if it sinks, the article is made of real gold, however, it is not 100% accurate.
How do you test if it is gold or not?
If the magnet pulls the piece, it is fake as gold being inert is not attracted to the magnetic pull. However, if the piece is made of other non-magnetic materials, it may not deliver 100% accurate results.
How can I test gold quickly?
Float test, lighter test, makeup test, and magnet test are quick ways of finding if you are dealing with real or fake gold. Using a magnifying glass to look for hallmarks is another authentic and instant way of testing gold.
What is the most accurate test for gold?
The only fail-safe methods for testing gold are using the electronic tester or XRF Spectrometer. Moreover, having a gold piece examined by an experienced jeweler will also provide some accurate answers.
Conclusion
To sum up, these DIY testing methods provide you with information about the authenticity of gold. If you are going to invest in an expensive gold item, it is better to have them professionally appraised. Many professional services and jewelers offer a quick appraisal of the pure gold content in the item.