If you have gold at home or are planning on buying some, you probably want to be sure its not fake.
Here are my easy ways to test gold at home:
You can test gold at home by checking it for magnetism and measuring its weight. You can use apple cider vinegar or using unglazed ceramic to test gold at home. You can also check for hallmarks and skin discoloration in the case of wearable gold.
Below we will discuss a few popular methods for testing gold at home.
The most important thing to remember when doing so is to use methods that will not damage your gold since this will affect its value.
1. Gold Smell Test
One of the easiest tests for small gold pieces is checking to see if it has a metallic smell.
This works best if your hands are a little sweaty – while this may sound gross, it can be an effective method of weeding out knockoffs.
Hold a gold piece in the palms of your hands and rub them together, then put your nose between your palms while still cupping the gold.
If you detect a metallic smell, the piece is likely plated.
This is not a foolproof method, but it’s a quick and easy to check gold for authenticity.
To make sure, it is recommended that you run a few more tests until you are satisfied.
2. Magnet Test Gold
You will need a strong rare earth magnet for this – inquire at your hardware store for a neodymium magnet.
They are often used in industry for various uses, such as retrieving bolts and nuts that have been dropped in awkward places.
If you can pick up a gold piece using a magnet, this is a surefire sign that it is fake.
Gold is not magnetic.
However, other metals have this property, so this test should not be used as conclusive evidence that a piece is genuine.
Brass, for example, is non-magnetic and can be plated with gold to create a somewhat convincing counterfeit.
That said, gold is a dense metal, and it is difficult to replicate its weight without making a piece that is oversized.
3. Ceramic Test Gold
You can use an unglazed ceramic tile or plate for this test, but a word of caution – this can scratch your gold piece, affecting its value.
If you take a gold piece and drag it gently across unglazed ceramic, it should leave a gold streak behind.
A black streak is a telltale sign that the gold is fake.
4. Skin Test Gold
You can test your gold jewelry by simply wearing it.
If you have ever worn cheap jewelry and noticed your skin turning blue, this is exactly what we are looking for.
Real gold will never leave behind a residue or stain your stain after wearing it.
If you notice any changes to your skin, you can be sure that the piece is fake.
You may also notice the plating wearing away after a while, exposing the metal underneath.
5. Fire Test Gold
A word of caution here – do not attempt to use intense flames like blowtorches to test your gold.
Using a gentle but consistent flame, such as that of a cigarette lighter, is a good idea.
To use fire to test your gold, strike the lighter and use a piece of wire or pliers to expose the gold to the flame.
Genuine gold should brighten, so any sign of the metal getting darker is a sure sign that it is fake.
6. Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Test Gold?
Apple cider vinegar is a household staple that is used for many applications – it can be consumed for health benefits or used as an eco-friendly cleaning solution.
You can also use it to test your gold.
Placing your gold in apple cider vinegar is safe, provided the piece is genuine – gold will not react with the acid in the vinegar, so any sign of discoloration after a 15-minute soak in the vinegar is a sign that the piece is indeed fake.
A word of caution – do not attempt this test with white gold, as it is not pure.
Other metals in the alloy can react with vinegar.
If you have any doubts, it is recommended that you opt for other testing methods.
Gold nuggets cannot be tested with apple cider vinegar as they may contain other metals.
The naturally occurring alloys may give inconsistent results depending on the purity of the nugget.
Where Can You Test Gold for Free / Low Cost?
If you don’t feel safe testing your gold yourself, you may want to explore other avenues to verify the authenticity of your precious metals.
Contact a local jeweler or bullion dealer to find out if they will test your gold for you.
Relying on their experience and familiarity with the metal is often safer than testing the gold yourself.
They may offer to test your gold for free, and in the worst case, they may charge a small fee for their service.
I recently had a wide variety of pieces of gold, silver, and costume jewelry appraised for only $25 at my local jeweller.
They carried out professional testing on-the-spot to ensure the gold contents of pieces that were not hallmarked.
Relying on the expertise of someone who works with gold daily can save you from potential disappointment.
If you are buying gold from a private seller, they should have no problem if you ask them to meet you at a jeweller or bullion dealer so you can verify the authenticity of the gold you want to buy.
Conclusion
There are several ways you can test gold at home, and for the best results, you will want to try a few different methods.
If you have a rare earth magnet or an unglazed ceramic plate, you can use these to test gold.
There are other methods of testing – using your sense of smell or simply wearing a piece of gold jewelry can determine whether it is authentic or not.
In the end, counterfeit makers have invested a lot in producing convincing replicas of gold bullion and jewelry, so if you want absolute certainty, it is best to visit your local bullion dealer or jeweler and rely on their experience with the precious metal.
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