How to Identify Real Gold from Fake at Home?
In this article from Zarin Jewelry, we will introduce five methods to help you identify fake gold. Stay with us until the end of this article!
If you have a metal object at home or want to verify whether your gold is real or fake, you can do it with just a few simple tricks. These methods are easy yet effective for detecting fake gold, especially since gold comes in various colors and styles in the market.
Method 1: Identifying Real Gold by the Engraved Code
On gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, engraved codes indicate the authenticity and purity of the metal. These numbers should be clear and readable. To verify the code, search for it online to get complete details. For example, if the engraved code is 925, it means the gold has 92.5% purity.
Common Jewelry Purity Codes:
- Gold: 375, 500, 583, 585, 750, 916, 958, 999
- Silver: 800, 830, 875, 925, 960, 999
- Platinum: 850, 900, 950, 999
Method 2: Testing Gold with Vinegar
Another easy way to check whether gold is real or fake at home is by using vinegar. Simply place the gold in vinegar for about 30 minutes. If it changes color and turns black, your gold is fake.
Method 3: Listening to the Sound of Gold
For this method, gently strike the gold piece with another metal object. If you hear a ringing sound that lasts one to two seconds, the gold is likely real. However, it’s best to combine this method with other tests for more accurate results.
Method 4: Identifying Gold with Water
If the gold sinks to the bottom of a container and does not float on water, it is likely real gold. The good thing about this method is that it won’t damage your gold in any way. Real gold doesn’t rust or change color when submerged in water.
Method 5: Identifying Gold with Bleach (White Vinegar)
When real gold reacts with bleach, the affected area turns red or brownish-green. However, if the gold is fake, bleach will cause a change in color and potentially damage the piece.
Method 6: Identifying Gold with Heat
In this method, place the gold on an ice cube. If the gold is real, the ice will melt much faster than normal. This happens because real gold conducts heat efficiently. If the gold is fake, the ice will melt slower, or it won’t show the same effect.
Method 7: Identifying Gold with a Magnet
Gold does not attract magnets because of its atomic structure. (It only becomes magnetic in a very strong magnetic field, such as in an MRI machine.) If the piece is real gold, the magnet will not attract it. However, if the gold is fake, especially if made from nickel, the magnet will attract it.
Method 8: Identifying Gold by Its Color
Real gold has a distinctive bright yellow color, which is very difficult to replicate. Additionally, real gold has a strong, shiny luster. Fake gold or gold-plated items tend to lose their shine quickly. So, you can easily notice when you’re not holding real gold.
Method 9: Scratch Test
Gold is a relatively soft metal, and because of this, it shows signs of wear over time. To test if your gold is real, you can try scratching it in an inconspicuous spot.
If a different color or a gold-plated layer appears beneath the scratch, then you know something is wrong. While this test is reliable, it is not recommended to perform it directly on valuable jewelry.
Engraved Abbreviations on Gold:
- GP or HGP: Indicates the jewelry is gold-plated. The “G” stands for gold, and the “P” stands for plate or plated.
- PLAT or PT: Indicates the jewelry is made of real platinum.
Example Abbreviations:
- 14k G.F 1/20: Means that one-twentieth of the jewelry’s total weight is 14k gold.
Gold Manufacturing Location Codes:
- T: Indicates the gold was made in Tehran.
- E: Indicates the gold was made in Isfahan.
- M: Indicates the gold was made in Mashhad.
Gold Color Codes:
- W: White gold
- Y: Yellow gold
- P: Pink gold
Methods to Identify Real Gold from Fake Gold:
1) Lemon Juice Test:
The reaction of acetic acid with gold produces gold ions, which, due to chemical changes, cause the lemon juice to change color to a blue-green hue. This chemical reaction is used as a quick and final test to distinguish real gold from fake, but it has some issues. Firstly, the color changes in the lemon juice cannot be used as an accurate criterion for determining the amount and purity of gold, as these changes may mistakenly indicate the presence of other metals. Secondly, this method lacks the precision required for a thorough analysis of gold.
2) Gold detection with yogurt:
To test gold with yogurt, you need a sufficient amount of pure yogurt (without additives like sugar or fruit). Then, prepare the metal piece for testing. You can either submerge the entire piece in yogurt or spray the yogurt onto the gold.
Keep the gold in the yogurt for at least 5 minutes. During this time, the yogurt may absorb some of the texture from the gold. After 5 minutes, remove the gold from the yogurt and examine it carefully. If the gold changes color to black or becomes lighter, this may indicate the presence of fake gold. If the gold retains its color, it is likely genuine.
If you find jewelry like earrings, necklaces, or similar items at home or in old belongings and want to know if they are gold without going to a jeweler or expert, you can use home methods to test the gold. It’s important to note that not every yellow-colored accessory that looks like gold is actually gold.
Since there might be errors in identifying gold from other imitation jewelry, it is better to consult with experts or reliable jewelers to determine if your jewelry is real or fake. However, here we explain methods that can help you distinguish the material of imitation jewelry at home.
These methods don’t require special tools, and you can perform them with everyday items. However, it’s worth mentioning that some of these home methods are not reliable for testing gold and may not give accurate results.
It is also important to consider the following:
- The quality of yogurt: using yogurt that is pure and free from unusual additives is important.
- The nature of fake gold: the concentration and ratio of fake gold also matter. Lower concentration fake gold may delay color changes.
Is using yogurt to test gold a correct method?
Regarding the method of testing gold with yogurt, it is an incorrect method that has spread among people. Using yogurt to determine the material of fake gold jewelry is a futile task that only wastes your time and does not yield reliable results. This method dates back to ancient times but lacks effectiveness.
However, there is no need to worry, as there are other methods to distinguish gold from other fake jewelry that are somewhat reliable. These methods involve heat, bleach (such as bleach), magnets, vinegar, and friction, which can help identify whether the jewelry is gold or not.
For example, if you want to check if your jewelry is gold using bleach, keep in mind that using this method can cause corrosion to the jewelry, so only a small area should be tested. Apply a few drops of bleach to a small part of the jewelry, and after that, observe the color change of that area. If it turns red, brown, or green, you can be sure that the jewelry is real gold. However, if the area turns black, it indicates that the jewelry is not gold, but a fake imitation. Based on this, we can confidently say that while other methods might work, yogurt is not a reliable one!
It is important to note that for accurate gold testing, it is best to consult jewelers and gold experts, as they have advanced equipment that can easily and accurately identify gold, providing you with a correct result. In contrast, home methods are prone to various errors.
Steps to Detect Gold with Yogurt:
In ancient times, people often used home methods to test their jewelry to determine if it was gold, because access to goldsmiths and experts was difficult and sometimes impossible. Most people lived in rural areas and had limited access to markets. It is worth mentioning that even today, these home methods are still used to test gold.
You may wonder why, despite the abundance of gold shops in cities and even villages, people still use these methods to test gold. The answer to this question is that when buying gold from acquaintances without visiting a jewelry shop, doubts arise about whether the jewelry is actually gold or not.
What if it’s fake, and it’s just being sold as gold due to its resemblance? People use these methods to dispel their doubts and confirm whether the item is real gold or not. These home methods have different variations, many of which have been tried and tested and involve minimal risk. One such method you may have heard of is detecting gold with yogurt.
3) Detecting Gold with Ice:
The method of detecting gold with ice is based on the high thermal conductivity of gold compared to other metals. Gold is a good conductor of heat and quickly transfers heat from one source to another. Therefore, when a piece of ice is placed on a gold item, it should melt faster than it would on other metals.
4) Color Change of Gold After a Short Time of Purchase:
After a while of purchasing gold, the pieces of gold usually become dull and tarnished. Although this is common for various pieces of gold, differences can be observed in the types of gold, which sometimes result in varying degrees of dullness and discoloration in your jewelry.
As mentioned, the discoloration and fading of gold is a recurring issue that everyone experiences. This can happen more intensely for some gold pieces and less so for others. Therefore, the first question we need to seek an answer to is what causes the color change and dullness of gold, and then, we need to look for solutions to address this problem.
5) Detecting Gold by Biting:
You may be able to scratch or bend it by applying pressure. Even if the gold’s carat is lower, it still has some flexibility.
If you suspect that your jewelry is fake, you can test it by biting. Gently press the jewelry with your teeth; if a tooth mark remains, the gold is real. However, if it’s fake, your teeth will likely hurt.
6) Seeking Help from a Reliable Goldsmith
Reliable jewelry stores are regularly inspected by the goldsmith association and are not allowed to sell counterfeit gold. Additionally, in these stores, you will receive a purchase invoice when buying gold. So, even if the gold turns out to be fake, you can claim any potential losses from the jeweler when you decide to sell it.
7) Checking by Skin Color Change:
Simply hold a piece of gold between your hands for a few minutes. The sweat from your hands reacts with the metal and changes the color of your skin. As a result, real gold will not cause any color change when in direct contact with your skin. However, if the gold is fake, it will turn your skin black, blue, or green at the points of contact.
8) Does Using Chemicals to Test Real Gold Damage It?
Test these chemicals on a very small part of the gold.
Preferably choose the inner part of the gold for this test.
Wear gloves.
What is Standard Gold or Test Gold?
When you have doubts about the authenticity of gold, you can use standard gold or test gold. What is standard gold? It is gold that you are 100% sure is real and you also know its exact purity.
Simply put, standard gold or test gold is gold whose composition and purity you are fully confident about. This is why gold is compared to standard gold to verify whether it is real or fake.
Important Tips When Buying Gold to Ensure Its Authenticity:
- Make sure the gold has a “code.” Iranian gold is 18k and should have the 18k code. The letters “GP” indicate that the jewelry is not made of gold but only has a gold coating.
- Don’t buy platinum instead of gold. Platinum jewelry will have the abbreviation “pt” on its code.
- To ensure authenticity, always request a receipt. The receipt should be printed on the letterhead of the gold and jewelry store.
Important Notes from this Article:
- There are simple methods for distinguishing real gold from fake that will not damage your gold, such as: the engraved codes on gold, using a magnet, water, ice, chalk, the sound of gold, the color and appearance of gold, biting gold, and more.
- You can use chemicals to test the authenticity of gold, but we don’t recommend it because they can damage your gold, such as ammonia, acid, etc.
- You have also become familiar with methods to identify real precious stones like emeralds, pearls, and amber.
- Buy gold from trusted stores and centers. Zarín Jewelry store will help you distinguish real gold from fake.
