Is Your Gold Real, Gold-Plated, or Fake? Let’s Find Out!
Ever wondered if that shiny piece of jewelry is the real deal? According to international standards, anything with less than 41.7% or 10 karats of gold is considered fake.
But don’t worry—you don’t need to be a certified jeweler to find out!
You can easily test your gold at home with common household items like water, vinegar, and magnets. Follow our fun and simple step-by-step guide to uncover the truth about your gold!
Method #1: Testing Gold with Everyday Household Items
Step 1: Drop the Gold into Water
Fill a container with lukewarm water. The size of the container should be sufficient to fully submerge the gold item you want to test.
Real gold is dense and will sink straight to the bottom. If the gold floats, it’s likely an imitation.
Additionally, real gold doesn’t rust or tarnish when wet, so if you notice any discoloration, your gold is probably plated.
Step 2: The Vinegar Test – Will Your Gold Stand the Acid Test?
Place your gold piece on a flat surface. Using an eyedropper, apply a few drops of vinegar and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Real gold won’t change color, but fake gold will.
For a more thorough test, you can submerge the gold in a glass container filled with vinegar for 15 minutes.
Be cautious, though—vinegar can damage semi-precious stones on gold jewelry, so use this method carefully!
Step 3: Check for Discoloration Where the Gold Has Worn Away
Gold is relatively soft, so gold plating tends to wear off over time. The best places to check for wear are around the edges of jewelry and coins, where they frequently rub against your skin and clothing.
If you see a different metal underneath, it’s a sign that your item is plated and not solid gold. For example, a silver color might indicate silver or titanium, while a red color could mean copper or brass.
Look for suspicious marks and discolorations around the edges. These are often telltale signs that the gold is fake.
However, keep in mind that if your item isn’t 24k gold (pure gold), it may tarnish over time as the base metals are exposed to oxygen.
Step 4: Check for Skin Discoloration from Wearing or Holding the Gold
Pure gold doesn’t react with sweat or oils from your skin. So, if you notice black or green marks, they’re from other metals in the piece.
Silver leaves black marks, while copper leaves green ones. If you see a lot of these marks on your skin, your gold might be less pure than you think.
Remember, most gold items are alloys of gold and other metals. Even a 14K piece, which is 58.3% gold, can leave these marks. Be sure to use other tests to confirm the authenticity of your gold.
Step 5: Test with a Strong Magnet to Check for Attraction
For this test, you’ll need a strong magnet that can attract metal blends. Hold the magnet close to your gold and see how it reacts.
Gold isn’t magnetic, so if the magnet pulls the gold towards it, your item may be impure or fake.
Regular kitchen magnets might not be strong enough, so for better accuracy, use a powerful neodymium magnet from a hardware store.
Keep in mind, though, that the magnet test isn’t foolproof.
Some counterfeit gold is made with non-magnetic metals like stainless steel, and some genuine gold items might contain magnetic metals like iron.
Step 6: Rub the Gold on Unglazed Ceramic to Check for Streaks
For this test, use an unglazed piece of ceramic, as a glazed surface can skew the results.
Gently rub your gold item across the ceramic until you see some particles coming off. If you observe a black streak, your gold is likely not genuine.
A gold streak usually indicates that your gold is authentic.
You can find an unglazed ceramic tile or plate online or at a local home improvement store.
This test might scratch the gold slightly, but it usually doesn’t cause significant damage, making it a safer option compared to other methods involving scratches or acids.
Alternatively, you can apply some cosmetic foundation to your skin and drag the gold across it once the foundation dries.
Fake gold often reacts with the foundation, leaving a green or black streak.
Method #2: Inspecting Manufacturer Markings
Step 1: Search for the Official Number Marking on the Gold
Look for the hallmark, which indicates the gold content of your item.
This mark is usually found on jewelry clasps, the inner bands of rings, and on the surface of coins and bullion.
The hallmark typically displays a number ranging from 1 to 999 or a designation from 0K to 24K, depending on the grading system used.
Using a magnifying glass can help you spot the hallmark, as it can be challenging to see with the naked eye, especially on smaller pieces like rings.
Keep in mind that older jewelry might not have visible hallmarks. Sometimes the hallmark wears off over time, or the piece might never have been stamped.
Hallmarking became more widespread in the 1950s in some regions, but in India, it only became mandatory in 2000.
Step 2: Use the Number Marking to Identify the Gold Content
Coins and jewelry are rarely made of pure gold; they typically contain other metals mixed in. The hallmark uses one of two different scales to indicate the gold content.
In Europe, the number rating system ranges from 1 to 999, with 999 signifying pure gold. In the U.S., the scale ranges from 0 to 24K, with 24K representing pure gold.
The number rating system is often easier to interpret than the karat system. For instance, a rating of 375 means your item is composed of 37.5% gold.
The meaning of the number can vary depending on your location. In the U.S., for example, anything marked 9K or below is not considered gold, even though a 9K item contains 37.5% gold.
Be aware that counterfeit pieces might have misleading markings, so don’t rely solely on the hallmark to verify authenticity unless you’re confident you have genuine gold.
Step 3: Look for Letter Markings Indicating Non-Pure Gold
Keep an eye out for letter markings that signal your gold is not pure. Common ones include GP, GF, and GEP.
- GP stands for Gold Plated, meaning a thin layer of gold is applied over another metal like copper or silver.
- GF means Gold Filled, indicating a thicker layer of gold compared to GP.
- GEP signifies Gold Electroplate, where gold is bonded to a base metal through electroplating.
These markings reveal that while your piece contains some gold, it isn’t considered pure gold.
Markings can vary based on the country of origin.
For example, Indian gold often features a small triangle symbol representing the government council overseeing the rating system, along with a number rating and a letter code, such as K, for the jeweler.
Method #3: Conducting a Density Test
Step 1: Weigh Your Gold Piece
Use a kitchen scale to weigh your gold item.
If you don’t have a reliable scale, many jewelers and appraisers will weigh it for you, often at no charge.
Contact various jewelry or appraisal shops to find one that offers this service.
Ensure that the weight is recorded in grams rather than ounces, as grams are needed for accurate calculations later.
Step 2: Fill a Graduated Cylinder Halfway with Water
Select a graduated cylinder large enough to accommodate your gold piece and with measurement markings in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc).
If you don’t have a graduated cylinder, a kitchen measuring cup with milliliter markings can work as a substitute.
The exact amount of water isn’t crucial, but make sure you leave enough space in the cylinder to prevent spillage when you add the gold.
If the cylinder is too full, the water will overflow when the gold is submerged.
Step 3: Record the Initial Water Level in the Cylinder
Check the water level on the graduated cylinder and note the measurement.
This reading is crucial for the test, so be sure to write it down.
Ensure the cylinder is on a flat, level surface to get the most accurate reading possible.
Whether your cylinder is marked in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc) doesn’t matter, as both units are equivalent and can be used for the test.
Step 4: Submerge the Gold and Record the New Water Level
Carefully lower the gold into the cylinder to prevent any water from spilling.
Hold the gold just above the water’s surface to avoid splashing or wetting your fingers.
After placing the gold in the cylinder, take a new reading of the water level.
Record this second measurement separately from the initial one.
Step 5: Calculate the Difference in Water Level
To determine how much water the gold displaced, subtract the initial measurement (the smaller number) from the final measurement.
This calculation will give you the volume displaced, expressed in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc), depending on the unit used by your cylinder.
For example, if the initial water level was 17 mL and it rose to 18 mL after adding the gold, the difference would be 1 mL.
Step 6: Calculate the Gold’s Density
To find the density of your gold, divide its weight by the volume of water it displaced. This calculation will give you the density in grams per milliliter (g/mL). Compare this result to the standard density of gold, which is 19.3 g/mL.
If your calculated density is significantly different, the gold may be fake. However, be aware that some fake gold alloys can have densities similar to real gold.
For example, if your gold item weighs 38 g and displaces 2 mL of water, the density would be 19 g/mL, which is close to the density of pure gold.
The density can vary based on the type of gold:
- 22K gold: About 17.7 to 17.8 g/mL
- 14K yellow gold: Approximately 12.9 to 13.6 g/mL
- 14K white gold: Around 14 g/mL
- 18K yellow gold: Typically 15.2 to 15.9 g/mL
- 18K white gold: Ranges from 14.7 to 16.9 g/mL
Method #4: Performing a Nitric Acid Test
Step 1: Obtain a Gold-Testing Kit with Nitric Acid
Purchase a gold-testing kit, which contains nitric acid for testing different types of gold.
These kits often come with various bottles of acid suited for different gold purity levels.
Some kits include a touchstone, a flat rock for scratching off a small sample of gold from your item, and comparison needles with samples of yellow and white gold.
You can find these testing kits online or at local jewelry stores. Many jewelers use this method due to its accuracy.
Step 2: Make a Small Scratch on the Gold
Select a discreet area on the jewelry, like underneath a clasp or on an inner band.
Use a sharp tool, such as a jewelry engraver, to make a small scratch.
Scratch until you reach a fresh layer of gold or reveal any underlying metal.
Since this test involves scratching your gold, if the piece holds sentimental value or if you prefer not to risk damaging it, consider taking it to a professional jeweler for the test instead.
Step 3: Apply a Drop of Nitric Acid to the Scratch
Wear latex gloves and ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area to handle the nitric acid safely. Find the bottle labeled for 18K gold in your testing kit.
Place your gold item in a stainless steel container and add a drop of the acid directly onto the scratch. Observe the reaction carefully:
- If the acid turns a gold color, your item is likely gold-plated brass.
- If the scratch turns green, the gold is likely fake.
- Genuine gold doesn’t react with nitric acid, so a green color suggests the item might be gold-plated or a low-purity blend.
- A milky reaction typically indicates gold-plated sterling silver.
- If the acid turns a gold color, your item is likely gold-plated brass.
Step 4: Use a Touchstone to Test the Gold’s Purity
If you suspect your gold is genuine, rub it on a touchstone to leave a streak of gold flakes.
Apply a drop of nitric acid for 12K, 14K, 18K, and 22K gold to different parts of the streak.
Wait 20 to 40 seconds and observe which acids dissolve the gold.
The area where the gold remains unaffected by the acid will help you determine the karat rating of your item.
The acids vary in strength, with the 22K acid being the strongest.
If the 18K acid dissolves the gold but the 14K acid does not, your gold is likely around 14K.
How to Test Gold at Home
Start by using a magnifying glass to look for a purity hallmark on your jewelry.
For instance, pure gold should have markings like “999” or “24K” on it.
In general, if you don’t find any hallmark, the piece might not be genuine gold, though older jewelry might not have these marks.
Also, check for any suspicious discolorations or wear around the edges, as these can indicate that the gold might be fake.
An easy at-home test is to see if the gold sticks to a magnet. If it does, the item could be fake or not pure gold.
When jewelers refer to gold as 24K, they mean it’s 99.9% pure with minimal impurities. In contrast, 22K gold consists of 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals.
Since gold tests can be imprecise, you might need to try several methods to verify authenticity.
You might have heard of the bite test, where real gold is supposedly marked by your teeth.
However, since most gold items are mixed with harder metals, it’s best to avoid this test to protect your teeth.
Gold by itself is quite soft, so metals like silver and copper are added to give it durability and color.
This is why you see variations like white gold, yellow gold, red gold, and rose gold—all blends of gold and other metals.
If you’re unsure about your gold’s authenticity, it’s best to consult a professional jeweler or appraiser for a definitive answer.