Gold jewellery is an investment, but how do you know if what you own is real gold or fake? Whether you're buying pre-owned gold or checking your heirloom pieces, there are easy, foolproof ways to test gold at home. This guide from FJewellery will show you how to identify gold at home in just 10 minutes with 10 simple steps.
1. Check for Hallmarks – The First Sign of Real Gold
One of the easiest ways to tell if gold is real by looking at it is by checking for hallmarks or stamps. Real gold jewellery is hallmarked.
A hallmark is an official stamp on precious metal jewellery that certifies its purity and authenticity. It typically includes:
- Metal Purity Mark (e.g., 22ct, 18ct)
- Assay Office Mark (e.g., London, Birmingham)
- Maker’s Mark (identifies the jeweller)
Hallmarks guarantee genuine gold, prevent counterfeits, and are legally required in many countries, including the UK. Always check for one before buying!
What to Look For?
- 24K, 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K – These indicate the gold purity.
- 375, 585, 750, 916, 999 – These numbers represent the percentage of gold.
- GP, GEP, HGE, RGP, GF – These indicate gold-plated jewellery, not real gold.
If your jewellery has no hallmark or looks faded, it might be gold-plated or fake.
2. The Colour & Shine Test – How to Tell If Gold is Real by Looking at It
Real gold has a rich, warm yellow tone. Fake gold or gold-plated jewellery may appear too shiny, dull, or uneven in colour.
How to Spot Fake Gold Jewellery at Home by Looking at It?
- If the colour fades over time, it’s likely gold-plated.
- If you see a different metal underneath, it’s not solid gold.
- Real gold doesn’t tarnish, rust, or discolour.
3. The Magnet Test – A Quick Way to Identify Fake Gold
Gold is a non-magnetic metal, so if your jewellery sticks to a magnet, it's fake.
How to Perform the Test?
- Take a strong magnet.
- Hold it close to your jewellery.
- If it sticks, it contains iron or other base metals.
However, some gold alloys or gold-plated jewellery might still attract a magnet due to the presence of other magnetic metals like iron or nickel. To confirm authenticity, it's better to combine this test with others like checking for a hallmark.
4. The Skin Test – Check for Green or Black Stains
If wearing a gold ring or necklace leaves green or black marks on your skin, it's not real gold. Real gold does not cause any skin reactions like discolouration or rashes and neither does it leave any marks on your skin.
Why Does This Happen?
- Fake gold contains copper or nickel, which reacts with sweat.
- Real gold is hypoallergenic and won’t stain your skin.
5. The Water Test – How to Spot Fake Gold Jewellery with Water
Gold is a dense metal, so it should sink when dropped in water.
Steps to Test Gold with Water:
- Fill a glass with water.
- Drop your jewellery into the glass.
- If it sinks immediately, it’s likely real gold.
- If it floats or takes time to sink, it’s fake or gold-plated.
However, this might not be the most reliable method to spot fake gold. Some counterfeit gold jewellery contains heavy base metals that might sink in water. So, don’t rely solely on this test to verify the authenticity of gold; use other methods as well.
6. The Bite Test – The Classic Way to Check Real Gold
Traditionally, people bit gold to check its authenticity. Pure gold is soft, so it leaves slight teeth marks. Be careful, don’t bite too hard!
Caution:
- This method is not always accurate and can damage your teeth and maybe jewellery.
- Many fake gold pieces are made with soft alloys that mimic real gold.
7. The Ceramic Test – A Simple Scratch Test
The ceramic test helps identify gold at home without any chemicals.
How to Do It?
- Take an unglazed ceramic plate.
- Rub your jewellery against it.
- Real gold leaves a golden streak, while fake gold leaves a black or grey mark.
While this test can be helpful, it may also damage your jewellery, and it’s not as accurate as other methods. To get a reliable confirmation, it’s always best to try other DIY fake gold testing techniques or consult a professional jeweller.
8. The Vinegar Test – A Quick Acid Reaction Test
Gold is resistant to acids, so vinegar can help detect fake gold jewellery.
Steps to Test Gold with Vinegar:
- Place your jewellery on a surface.
- Drop a few drops of white vinegar on it.
- If it changes colour, it's fake gold.
- If it remains the same, it’s real gold.
9. The Fire Test – Test Gold with a Lighter
If you’re wondering if you can test gold with a lighter, the answer is, Yes. Gold has a high melting point (1064°C), so heat won’t affect it.
How to Test Gold with a Lighter?
- Use a butane lighter.
- Heat the jewellery for 30 seconds.
- Real gold won’t change colour.
- Fake gold may turn dark, melt, or release a foul odour.
10. The Weight & Sound Test – Gold is Heavy & Soft-Spoken
Real gold is denser than fake gold, and it also has a distinct soft, deep sound when tapped against another metal.
How to Test Gold with Weight & Sound?
- Compare weight with another metal piece of the same size.
- Tap it with a metal coin—real gold produces a soft, muted sound, while fake gold sounds tinny or high-pitched.
Bonus Method — The Nitric Acid Test
Nitric Acid can be used to tell if gold is real. However, this test is not recommended for absolute beginners as one needs to be careful while using any acid. But, it is an effective method to spot fake gold.
Here's how it works:
- Scratch the gold on a testing stone.
- Apply a drop of nitric acid to the scratch.
- Observe the reaction:
- Real gold: No reaction.
- Fake gold: Green discoloration or bubbling.
Caution:
When performing the nitric acid test, use caution by wearing gloves and goggles, and working in a well-ventilated area. Always test on a small, inconspicuous area to avoid damaging the gold, and handle nitric acid carefully as it is corrosive.
Final Thoughts – How to Identify Gold at Home with Confidence
By following these 10 simple tests, you can quickly spot fake gold jewellery at home without professional tools. If you're still unsure, take your jewellery to a reputable jeweller for an official gold purity test.
One of the best ways to keep yourself safe from getting fake gold jewellery is to buy gold jewellery online or in person from reputable sellers such as FJewellery, which offers UK-hallmarked jewellery for women and men.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Check hallmarks to verify authenticity.
✔ Use a magnet, water, or ceramic test for a quick check.
✔ Test gold with a lighter or vinegar for chemical reactions.
✔ Observe weight, sound, and colour changes for final confirmation.
If you’re buying or selling gold, make sure to verify its authenticity first! Want to buy the best hallmarked real gold jewellery online? Check out our collection at FJewellery for authentic, high-quality UK-hallmarked gold jewellery pieces.
FAQs About Real vs. Fake Gold Jewellery
1. Can I test gold with toothpaste?
No, toothpaste is abrasive and can damage jewellery but does not accurately determine if gold is real. So, toothpaste is not recommended for testing gold jewellery at home.
2. Is 24K gold always real?
Yes, 24K gold is 99.9% pure gold, but be cautious—some fake gold pieces are also stamped as 24K. Your best bet is to buy gold jewellery online or in person from reputable online sellers and jewellery stores.
3. How to tell if gold is real by looking at it?
Real gold has a consistent warm yellow colour, does not tarnish, and does not show different metals underneath. Even if it is a lower-carat gold jewellery piece, it will have a consistent shine, whereas fake gold jewellery will have an excessively bright shine or be dull or have an uneven shine.
4. Does fake gold sink in water?
No, fake gold may float or sink slowly, while real gold sinks immediately due to its density. Real gold is heavy so it will sink in the water, whereas, fake gold jewellery is usually made up of cheap metals that are lightweight and thus, it will most likely sink.
5. Can I use bleach to test gold?
Yes, you can use bleach to test gold. Bleach can discolour fake gold as it is an oxidising agent that can cause metals like silver, copper, and fake gold alloys to tarnish or corrode. Real gold does not react with bleach. However, it is not recommended to use bleach for testing gold as it is too harsh and can damage your jewellery. Also, gold-plated jewellery might likely pass this test.
Now you know how to spot fake gold jewellery at home! Share this guide and help others avoid fake gold scams!