Is it Really Gold? How to Tell if Gold Is Real

One of the most precious and desired products on the earth is gold. Due to its value, inexpensive jewellery can be transformed into something more valuable by giving the impression that it contains gold, even if the gold is artificial. If you own any gold, whether it's a priceless heritage or scrap, you might be curious about how to identify real gold to steer clear of fakes. This is particularly valid if you intend to purchase such a product. Here are a few methods to determine the authenticity of the gold you currently own or wish to purchase.

Before anything else, we must clarify the meaning of a hallmark and the purity markers connected to the karat and millesimal fineness systems.

A hallmark is an official stamp that is commonly applied to metals that are precious to indicate clarity and origin. Whether something is gold or not is not always obvious, but it can be when it originates from a trustworthy source. Markers are not always reliable indicators because they might be falsified.

On the millesimal purity scale, parts per 1000 represent the purity of gold. An item bearing a hallmark showing 850 parts of gold instead of a thousand, for example, would have 850 parts of pure gold in it. 

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Check for Hallmarks with the Stamp Test

A hallmark is an imprint commonly used on gold jewellery to determine the manufacturer or material of the piece. Usually, hallmarks are discovered concealed, as within rings.

The standard purity scales are based on millesimal fineness and karats. When determining whether your gold is genuine, the hallmark test, sometimes referred to as the magnifying glass test, is an excellent place to start. In addition, the hallmark includes the following things:

●     According to the Karat system, purity values such as 8k, 9k, 10k, 14k, 15k, 18k, 20k, 21k, 22k, 23k, and 24k are valid.

● 333, 375, 417, 583 or 585, 625, 750, 833, 875, 916, 958, and 999 are acceptable purity values according to the Millesimal Fineness standard.

● Purity figures that aren't true (anything but the above)

● (For example, ESPO for Esposito) Manufacturer 

Find Any Letter Markings

Any gold that has a purity value lower than 10k (41.7%) is considered fake.

The following markers are easily identifiable to anyone familiar with the different quality levels:

● GP

● GF

● GE

● GEP

● HGP

● HEG

These are not the labels to choose if you are searching for real gold. They all indicate gold plating. In the same order, they represent:

● Gold Plated

● Gold Filled

● Gold Electroplated

● Gold Electro Plated

● Heavy Gold Plated

● Heavy Gold Electroplated

These marks imply the gold covering was put in a small amount to suggest it is made of gold but in fact is of another metal.

To help you visualise how the higher tiers of purity relate to one another: GOLD! 18k gold is 75% pure and 24k gold is 99.9% pure. Pure gold just isn’t found, simply because pure gold would be very soft and if ever a jewellery item it wouldn’t last at all.

1. Check Your Skin for Bluish or Greenish Tints

This is a straightforward test: It entails spending a few minutes holding a piece of gold jewellery between your hands. Your skin's colour will either be unchanged or altered by the metal reacting with the sweat on your palms. Real gold does not discolour skin when it comes into direct touch with it. Your skin will turn blue, green, or black when the fake gold touches your skin.

This process does not apply if you test gold on your skin while using a liquid foundation. Gold will darken your skin black if it comes into contact with makeup. This test is more reliable if all makeup is removed before administration.

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2. The Magnet Test: Evaluating the Magnetic Properties of Gold

Due to its non-magnetic nature, gold is not drawn to magnets. Base metals can be identified from gold by this characteristic since they are both magnetically similar. To test a gold object, place a strong magnet next to it. If something attracts the magnet, it's probably not made of pure gold.

3. The Acid Test: A Wary Method for High-Purity Gold

● A tiny amount of nitric acid is added to the gold item as part of the acid test, also known as the nitric acid test. High-purity gold, commonly 22 karats or more, is best for this test.

● If the acid becomes green or blue, it indicates that there is a significant amount of iron or other metal base present and the piece is not pure gold.

● A reddish-brown stain left by the acid indicates lower-purity gold, typically less than 18 karats.

● Since pure gold is resistant to nitric acid, the item is probably made of gold if the acid left no trace of it.

4. Visual Inspection: Searching for Wear and Hallmarks

Examine the gold item carefully for any markings or hallmarks. A purity indicator, such as "916" for 22-karat gold or "18K" for 18-karat gold, is usually present on real gold jewellery. You also need to check for damage. Since pure gold is so delicate, scratches are common. Let's say the object seems old or scratched, but it also contains a hallmark indicating its purity. Even so, there's a chance the object is made entirely of gold. However, if the item appears worn or scratched and does not have a hallmark, the likelihood that it is not pure gold increases. 

Conclusion

This post lists the most popular methods for figuring out whether gold is real. From using the most advanced digital gold tester equipment to the most straightforward techniques for testing gold at home. If the object is in constant contact with human tissue, the trademark is probably no longer as noticeable. In addition, if the jewellery is old, it can be real gold, but it wasn't made with hallmarks as a normal practice.

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