Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Gold is a precious metal that comes in a variety of colors and degrees of purity. The value of a jewelry or gold object will depend greatly on whether it is gold plated or pure gold. To determine the quality of a metal object, start by taking a close look at its surface. If you're still not sure, you can move on to a more in-depth test, such as using vinegar. One final option you can consider is to pour acid on the metal object and observe the reaction.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Observe the surface

1. 

   Look for the symbol on the surface of the item. A gold object is often marked with a stamp identifying its type.A “GF” or “HGP” mark indicates that it is gold plated, not pure gold. Pure gold jewelry, by contrast, may have the mark of "24K" or another symbol for purity. Symbols are usually located on the inside of the ring body or near the key chain of the chain.
   • However, you should also be aware that symbols can be faked. That is why we should only consider the symbol as one of the many signs to identify real gold.
   • Symbols can be engraved very small. You may need to use a magnifying glass to see clearly.

2. 

   
   
   Observe for any discoloration around the edge of the item. Turn on the light and bring the item closer to the light. Rotate the item in hand so that all sides can be thoroughly examined. If you see gold that appears faded or worn on the edges, it is probably gilded, i.e., not pure gold.

3. 

   Look for spots on the surface of the item. When looking at the object in the light, do you notice white or red spots somewhere on the surface of the object? These spots can be very small and difficult to see. That is why you need to see an item under strong light and may need to use a magnifying glass. These spots indicate that the gold plating is being worn and exposing the metal underneath.

4. 

   
   
   Place the magnet close to what might be gold. Hold a magnet right above the item. Lower the magnet down until it almost touches the surface of the item. If you feel like a magnet is being sucked or pulled down, the object is not pure gold. Other metals in the object, such as nickel, are reacting with the magnet. Pure gold will not attract the magnet because it is a non-ferrous metal. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Do a deeper test

1. 

   
   
   Put a little vinegar on the surface of the item and watch for the color change. Pour white vinegar into a dropper. Hold the metal object firmly in hand or place it on a table and place a few drops of vinegar on the surface of the item. If the color of the metal changes, it is not pure gold; if the color doesn't change, it's pure gold.

2. 

   Brush the metal object against the gold test stone. Place a black gold test stone on the table. Chin hold the metal object in hand and hit the rock strong enough to make a line. If the traces left on the rock are hard and golden, the object you want to try is pure gold. If there are no lines or there is only a very slight trace, the object is probably gilded or not gold at all.
   • Be careful with this method, because if you are not smart, you can damage the jewelry. You also need to use the right stone, otherwise the traces will be meaningless. You can buy gems for gold testing at silversmith's hardware stores or online.

3. 

   Rub the possibly gold object onto the ceramic plate. Place an unglazed ceramic plate on the countertop. Hold the gold object in your hand and rub it against the plate. Observe if any lines or marks appear. Black bars indicate that the object you are trying on is not gold or just gold plated.

4. 

   Try gold with a liquid makeup foundation. Apply a thin layer of liquid foundation to the back of your hand and allow it to dry. Press the metal object against the foundation and rub. Real gold leaves a mark on the cream. If no lines are visible, the object is gilded gold or another metal.

5. 

   Use electronic gold tester. This is a compact handheld device with a probe that you can buy online or at silversmith hardware stores. To analyze a metal, you will rub a conductive "test" gel over the metal object, then rub the probe into it. This gel is available from the same place where the gold tester is sold. The way a metal reacts to electricity will tell if the metal is pure gold.
   • Carefully read the instructions that come with the gold tester for accurate results. Gold is a good conductor of electricity, so an object made of pure gold will have a higher index than a gilded object.

6. 

   Put gold in the XRF spectrum analyzer. This machine is used by many jewelers to quickly determine the quality of a metal sample. Due to its high cost, this machine may not be suitable for home gold testing unless you plan to use it regularly. To use the XRF scanner, you need to put a metal object in the machine, activate it, and wait for the results to be displayed.

7. 

   Bring gold to a specialist. If you receive conflicting results or if you want to confirm the results, you can ask the Gold Shop about the inspection. The inspection specialist will have a deeper analysis of the metal's quality. This can be expensive, so you should only do it if you believe your item is worth it. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Acid gold test

1. 

   Buy an acid gold test kit for a more accurate result of the gold purity. You can buy this test kit from silversmith's hardware stores. Test kit contains all the necessary materials with detailed instructions. Remember to read the instructions carefully and prepare your equipment carefully before starting the gold test.
   • This test kit sold online is also relatively cheap, about 600 thousand dong.

2. 

   Check the kara value label on the needles. The gold tester will have a number of needles that you will use to try out different types of gold. Find the kara value on the side of the needle. Each needle will have a color pattern at the tip of the needle. Use the yellow needle to test the yellow metal, and the white needle to test the white metal.

3. 

   Carve a line with an engraving knife. Rotate the item to find a hard-to-see spot. Hold the engraved knife firmly in your hand and carve a fine line into the metal object, the purpose is to reveal deeper layers of the metal.

4. 

   Wear goggles and gloves. You are using acid, so it is important to wear thick yet snug gloves. You should also protect your eyes just in case. Avoid touching your face or eyes while working with acids.

5. 

   Put a drop of acid on the mark. Choose the right needle for the gold and place the tip right on the mark. Press down on the plunger until a drop of acid hits the mark.

6. 

   Read the results. Look closely at the mark you made earlier and where you applied the acid. The acid will react with the metal and may turn a different color. In general, if the acid turns green, the object is not pure gold, but gilded gold, or an entirely different metal. The test kit has many different color indicators, so be sure to read the color instructions carefully when reading the results. advertisement

Advice

• Remember to wipe the gold off after each test using different methods.

Warning

• Be extra careful when working with acids, as it can severely damage skin when exposed.