How to Identify Real Gold

• Real gold will not rust or tarnish when wet, so if you see the item changing color, it is likely gold-plated.

• You can also soak the gold in a glass bowl of vinegar for 15 minutes. However, this method is a bit riskier as vinegar may damage any gemstones attached to the gold jewelry.

• For example, silver could be silver or titanium. Red could be copper or brass.

Expert Opinion: Suspicious streaks and discoloration around the edges of the jewelry often indicate that it is fake gold. If the item isn’t 24k gold (considered pure gold), it will tarnish over time as the underlying metal reacts with oxygen.

• Note that most gold items are alloyed with other metals. Even 14K gold jewelry with 58.3% gold will leave marks on your skin. You should use other tests to confirm if your item is real gold.

• Ordinary magnets may not be powerful enough for this test. For better accuracy, you should use a neodymium magnet from hardware stores.
• Magnet tests are not entirely reliable, as fake gold can be made of non-magnetic metals like stainless steel. Also, some real gold items may contain magnetic metals like iron.

• You can purchase unglazed ceramic tiles or plates online or at hardware stores.
• This test will cause some slight scratching of the gold, but it’s usually not visible. It’s much safer than methods that involve scraping or using acid.
• Another method to test gold is to apply foundation to your skin and rub the gold on the dried foundation. Fake gold will react with the foundation and leave a black or greenish streak.

• Use a magnifying glass to inspect the stamp. This mark can sometimes be hard to see with the naked eye, especially on small jewelry like rings.
• Older jewelry may lack the authenticity stamp. These marks may have worn off over time, or the item might never have been stamped. Authenticity stamps became common in the 1950s in some countries, but in places like India, it wasn’t mandatory until 2000.

• The numerical system is easier to read than the karat system. For example, the number 375 means your item contains 37.5% gold.
• The standard for what is considered “gold” depends on the country. For instance, in the U.S., anything lower than 9K is not considered gold, even if it’s a 9K bracelet with 37.5% gold.
• Fake items can also have stamps to make them appear authentic, so don’t rely on this sign alone unless you’re sure the item is real gold.

• GP stands for gold-plated, GF means gold-filled, and GEP refers to electroplated gold, which means gold electroplate.
• The symbols may vary slightly depending on where the gold is produced. For example, gold from India may feature a small triangle symbol indicating the gold classification system overseen by the government, accompanied by a number representing the gold content and a code, such as the letter K, which is the symbol for the seller.

• You need to measure the weight of the gold in grams to perform calculations. Using ounces will not yield accurate results.

• Cylinders marked in millimeters can also be helpful as they provide more precise measurements for the test.
• The amount of water is not crucial, as long as there is enough space for the gold item. If you fill the cylinder to the top, the water will spill over when you submerge the gold.

• Note that cylinders with measurements in either milliliters (ml) or cubic centimeters (cc) will work. These two units are equivalent, so you can use either for the test.

• Write down the second measurement on paper. Remember, this is the second reading, not the first.

• For instance, if the initial water level is 17 ml and the second measurement after the water rises is 18 ml, the difference will be 1 ml.

• For example, if you have a gold item weighing 38 g and it displaces 2 ml of water, divide 38 by 2, and you'll get 19 g/mL, which is very close to the density of pure gold.
• The standard density can vary slightly depending on the type of gold. For 14k gold, the density ranges from 12.9 to 13.6 g/mL. For 14k white gold, the density is around 14 g/mL.
• 18k yellow gold has an average density between 15.2 and 15.9 g/mL, while 18k white gold ranges from 14.7 to 16.9 g/mL.
• Any 22k gold item typically has a density around 17.7 to 17.8 g/mL.

• Gold testing kits are available online. You can also ask at jewelry stores. Most jewelers use these kits due to their high accuracy.

• The nitric acid test requires carving into the item. If the gold piece is of sentimental value or you wish to preserve its condition, consider taking it to a jeweler rather than attempting the test at home.

• Gold generally does not react to acid, so your item might be gold-plated or made from an impure alloy.
• A milky white reaction is usually a sign of sterling silver coated in gold. If the acid turns yellow, the item is likely brass plated with gold.

• The acids in a gold testing kit vary in strength, with the acid for testing 22K being stronger than that for 12K. If the acid for 16K gold dissolves the streak but the 14K acid doesn't, your item is likely around 14K.

• Most of the gold testing methods listed here aren't completely accurate. You may need to try several times to confirm the authenticity of the gold.
• You might have heard that people bite gold to check if it's real, since real gold will show teeth marks. However, since most gold items are made from alloys that are harder than pure gold, avoid using this method to protect your teeth.
• When a seller claims their gold is 24K, they mean it’s 99.9% pure gold with a minimal amount of other metals. A 22K gold item is composed of 22 parts gold and 2 parts other metals.
• In gold items of lower quality than 24K, other metals contribute to the color and hardness of the piece. Pure gold is very soft, so metals like silver and copper are mixed in to enhance the strength of the gold item.
• White gold, yellow gold, red gold, and rose gold jewelry are all alloys made by combining gold with other metals.
• If you need assistance verifying whether your gold is real, take it to a jeweler or gold appraiser.

• Nitric acid is a strong acid that can burn the skin and damage valuable gold items. If you're not comfortable with this method, you can test at home using vinegar, which is a milder acid, or you can take the item to an expert or jeweler for testing with nitric acid.