How To Identify Quality Gold
Gold signifies power, wealth, and high status. Having quality gold tends to show you are rich and most likely influential. As a result, that explains the rush for gold jewelry.
When you sell gold jewelry, you get a price based on the quality of your gold. Therefore, the higher the quality of your gold, the higher you stand to gain when selling it.
The Popular Methods to Identify Real Gold
Sometimes, quality gold is hard to identify. As a result, when you’re buying gold jewelry, you might be tricked into buying fake gold jewelry. Also, when you can’t identify quality gold, you might end up selling your quality gold jewelry at a very low price. A loss will be incurred on your end.
To avoid being cheated, you must know how to differentiate quality gold from fake gold. Generally, any gold rated from 10k (karats) and above (to 24k) is considered pure gold. Anything below that is impure gold or low-quality gold.
However, when you don’t know what karat your gold is, there are a few tests you can carry out. Some include; sound tests, acid tests, magnet tests, and image tests.
- Sound test:
Metals produce different types, frequencies, and tones of sound when they collide with other metals. Therefore, gold can easily be identified by its sound when it collides with another metal or another surface.When the sound produced is different from the characteristic sound, the gold is fake or impure. Therefore, the sound test is a very efficient and simple method for identifying quality gold. - Acid test:
This is a simple test. It is based on the reaction of gold when it comes in contact with acid.The simple process only requires you to make a small scratch on the surface of the gold and add a small drop of trioxonitrate (v) acid (HNO3).If the gold does not react with the acid, then you have quality gold. However, if a green or milky coloration is observed, it means you have either fake gold or a gold-over sterling silver jewelry
- Magnet test:
Normally, gold is not magnetic. With this fact, exposing your gold jewelry to a magnetic field generated by a stronger than average magnet is a practical test.If the gold is attracted to the magnet upon exposure, there is no doubt that the gold in your possession is fake or highly impure.However, if the magnet does not influence the gold, you can be rest assured that you have real gold. - Image test:
This test involves advanced technology and is not as easy as the previously stated tests. Also, results are not gotten immediately after the test is carried out.The images of the piece of gold are used to investigate its properties. However, you must know that it may be worth the cost of deployment for large quantities of gold.
These tests enable you to identify which gold is fake and which is real or of higher quality. They are the most popular means of identifying quality gold.
In addition, there are other ways to identify quality gold. Some of these methods are simpler, while others are a bit more complex.
Other Ways to Identify Quality Gold
Some other ways you can identify quality gold are:
- Size and weight:
Gold is denser than most metals. If you have a piece that looks too large for its weight or feels too light for its size, then you most likely have fake gold.This test works well on coins and bars. Bullion coins are real coins made from precious metals. These include gold, silver, palladium, or platinum. They serve as collectibles, investments, or as a hedge against inflation.You can carry out this test by comparing the weight and size of a piece of gold you want to test with one already known to be real gold. Use a set of calipers and a jeweler’s scale. You can also use a Fisch Tester. - Ceramic scratch test:
This test is one of the simplest. You can do it at your home.All you need to do is take an unglazed ceramic plate or a piece of tile and scrape a piece of gold across its surface. Real gold will leave a gold scratch, mark, or trail. Other metals or fake gold will leave a black trail.
- Floating test:
All you need for this simple test is a container of water and the gold you want to test. Drop the piece of jewelry into the container of water.Gold is a dense metal. If it doesn’t float at all or hovers over the bottom of the container, you have quality gold. But, if your piece of gold floats or doesn’t settle at the bottom of the container, it is low-quality gold or fake. - Skin test:
This test involves a piece of jewelry and your skin. Hold the piece of gold jewelry between your hands for a few minutes. The perspiration from your hands will either react with the metal and change the color of the area of your skin in contact with the gold or leave it unaffected.When real gold is in direct contact with your skin, there is no effect. This means your skin doesn’t change color. If the gold is fake, it will cause your skin to turn black, blue, or green at the points of contact.An exception to this test is if you test the gold on your skin while wearing a liquid foundation or concealer.When gold touches the makeup, your skin turns black at the contact point—removing all makeup before testing makes this test more reliable. - Take your gold to a certified jeweller:
The most reliable test is to go downtown and find a respected jeweller that has many years of experience in the gold jewelry industry. Every certified jeweller will be able to tell you if your piece of gold is real or fake gold by just looking at, searching for the right marks or weighing it.And remember: There’s nothing to be ashamed of in turning to an expert in a time of need. Most jewellers will be happy to help you assess the purity of your gold item for free.
These methods have been proven to be very effective in testing for quality gold. Now, all you have to do is choose one of the options above and go test the quality of your gold.