From ancient times till now, gold has had a different sentiment and value for people. It’s a beautiful and valuable asset that everyone desires to have.
So, in such cases, if anyone is investing in gold jewelry or bars then knowing about methods to determine if the gold is real or fake is very important as gold is a valuable and high-demand material that’s why there are many faces of fraud.
So that’s why we will explore seven reliable methods to help you verify the authentic gold in this guide. Not only that it has bonus tips for purchasing gold confidently.
Table of Contents
5 Methods to Understand if the Gold is Real or Fake
Check for Hallmark
When you purchase any gold items, check if they are genuine gold or not. And for that one of the most major methods is by checking the hallmark. It’s the government rule to stamp hallmarks and purity in all the gold items.
So, if you are buying 24 karat, 22 karat 18 Karat, or 14 karat gold items then it will be mentioned some place of the gold item. But if the gold item is old and worn out then the hallmark may not be visible, for that, you have to try other methods as well.
Magnet test
As we all know gold is not magnetic so by using a strong magnet you can taste if your gold item is made of any adulterated material like iron, nickel, or anything.
If the magnet doesn’t stick to the gold item, then prove that the gold jewelry, bar, or coin is authentic. However, it is not enough so at least go for three gold tests before purchasing anything.
Float test
Authentic Gold jewelry will never float on water. Gold is generally a dense and heavy metal and when you drop any authentic gold product into a glass of water it will immediately sink to the bottom of the glass because of its density.
But, if the gold jewelry floats on water, then that is for sure fake, or the purity percentage is very low. However, if the gold item is very lightweight or a gold-plated item then the float test may not be that effective.
Ceramic Scratch Test
It is one of the most common and preferred gold authenticity checking tests that most gold sellers and jewelers follow. In this test, you the jeweler can scratch a small portion of the gold item on the unglazed ceramic plate.
Then after gently rubbing the item on the ceramic surface the real gold will leave a gold colored streak while the other material or impure gold item will leave a different shaded streak. For this test true that you are a gold item and might get some scratches, but this gold testing test is very effective.
Acid Test
If you still doubt ‘how do you know if gold is real or fake’ then there is another accurate and effective method to determine the gold purity. Now to determine the gold purity or its authenticity this test can be used.
So in this test apply a very small drop of acid from the gold testing kit on a part of the cold item and if the gold dissolves it is fake. So for 24 karat gold item, this test is fine but if you are willing to purchase a 14k gold product then it’s better to avoid this taste. It might not dissolve the gold item totally but it will damage it.
Tips for buying Gold
Buy gold from a reputable seller
There are endless gold stores and sellers available however most of them sell fake or cheap quality gold. So always purchase gold from reputable jewelers or certified dealers to ensure authenticity.
Ask for documents
Before purchasing any gold jewelry or investing in gold make sure to request for the certification of authenticity, and for most of the items, a good jeweler will always have the authentication certificate for the gold items. Or if they don’t have it ask for a receipt that confirms the item’s karet and weight.
Understand gold purity
In the market gold or generally available in 24 karat which is pure gold then 22 karat 18 karat and 14 karat. The difference is the purity and the durability of the gold. So be aware of these differences and how to identify them.
Check the current market price
The price of gold constantly keeps on changing so if you are planning to purchase gold which year you are familiar with the current gold price to avoid being overcharged for any item. Also, ask the jeweler to mention all the price divisions of that jewelry like making charges, gold charges, gemstones, etc.
Conclusion
In the end, it is clear to everyone that knowing how to decide between real gold and fake one is a very important thing it doesn’t matter if you are buying jewellery or investing in gold. So instead of trusting the gold seller or store, you should always use your skills to find hallmark and magnet tests.
Also, you have the right to ask the seller to show you all the valid proof related to the gold jewelry, coin, or bar. So use the knowledge and confidentiality to purchase this precious and beautiful material for yourself.
