Gold is a precious metal that is loved and adored by many people around the world. It is used for various purposes, including jewellery making, investment, and decoration. However, distinguishing between real and fake gold can be a challenging task for many people. Fake gold is becoming increasingly common in the market, and it is essential to know how to differentiate it from real gold. In this article, we will provide you with five simple methods to identify real or fake gold at home.
Check the Hallmark Certification
When purchasing gold jewellery, do not forget to check the hallmark certification. The Bureau of Indian Standards issues the hallmark certification on gold jewellery, which identifies real gold. The hallmark symbol is an assurance that the gold is of high quality and meets the required standards.
Use Nitric Acid
Nitric acid is another method that you can use to identify real or fake gold. To perform the nitric test, scratch the gold lightly and put a few drops of nitric acid on it. If the colour of the jewellery does not change, then the gold is genuine. However, if the colour changes, then it is not real gold.
Try White Vinegar
You can also use white vinegar to identify real or fake gold. Put a few drops of vinegar on the gold jewellery and observe. If the colour of the jewellery changes, then it is fake gold. Real gold, on the other hand, will not be affected by the vinegar.
Vinegar Test
Another easy method to test gold is the vinegar test. Put a few drops of vinegar on the gold jewellery, and if there is no effect on the jewellery, then it is real gold. If the colour of the jewellery changes, then it is fake gold.
Check Purity from Water
The floating test is another way to identify pure gold. Put the gold jewellery in water, and real gold will sink immediately due to its high density. On the other hand, fake gold will float on the water’s surface due to its low density.
Test Magnets
You can also use a magnet to detect real or fake gold jewellery. Pure gold is not magnetic, so if there is no effect of the magnet on the jewellery, then it is real gold. However, if the gold gets attracted to the magnet, then it is not real gold.
In conclusion, knowing how to identify real or fake gold is essential to avoid being a victim of fraud. By using the methods described above, you can quickly identify real or fake gold from the comfort of your home. Always remember to check the hallmark certification, use nitric acid, try white vinegar, perform the vinegar test, check purity from water, and test magnets.
