How do you know gold is real?

Print check

All real gold jewelry must have a stamp that indicates the declared karat. The only exception is very old jewelry, which may not have a seal due to wear. Before making a purchase, always check for this important marker of real gold.

Magnetic test

Real gold is not attracted to a magnet. If your jewelry is attracted, then this is a serious signal that you may have a fake. Think of it as a quick and easy way to do a self-test.

Bite it

You must have seen how athletes “bite” their medals. Although unusual, this method can be effective. Gold is a soft metal that is easily deformed when bitten or scratched. Unfortunately, not all jewelry allows this type of sample.

Nitric acid test

One of the most popular methods of verifying real gold is the nitric acid test. This method is used by jewelers and pawn shops and is fast, cheap and relatively accurate. By using a special solution called a “reagent”, we can determine the gold sample and distinguish the real from the fake.

Electronic device test

Modern technology also provides electronic devices that can measure the gold content of the metal. This method is fast and accurate, providing information about the percentage of gold in the jewelry.

To ensure you have real gold, always sample before buying. Weight, stamp, magnetic test, bite and chemical tests are some of the methods you can use to verify the authenticity of your gold treasures.