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This article was co-written by Kennon Young. Kennon Young is a GIA graduate gemologist and JA jewelry technician. He received the highest certification in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Gemologist in 2016.
There are 7 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 29,880 times.
Gold is a precious metal with many different colors and degrees of purity. The value of a piece of jewelry or a gold object will depend greatly on whether it is plated gold or pure gold. To determine the quality of a metal object, you start by looking closely 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 that you might consider is to pour acid on the metal object and observe the reaction.
Steps
Observe the surface
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Look for symbols on the surface of the item. A gold object is usually stamped identifying its type. The “GF” or “HGP” mark indicates that it is plated gold, not pure gold. In contrast, pure gold jewelry may be marked with “24K” or another symbol of purity. The symbols are usually located on the inside of the ring or near the keychain of the necklace. [1] X Research Source
- However, you should also be aware that symbols can be forged. That is why we should only consider the symbol as one of many signs to identify real gold.
- Symbols can be engraved very small. Sometimes you need to use a magnifying glass to see clearly.
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Observe for discoloration around the edges of the item. Turn on the light and bring the item closer to the light. Rotate the item in your hand so that all edges can be thoroughly examined. If you see gold that appears to be discolored or worn on the edges, it is probably plated gold, which is not pure gold. [2] X Research Source
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Look for spots on the surface of the item. When looking at the item under 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’s why you need to look at the item in bright light and possibly even a magnifying glass. These spots indicate that the gold plating is wearing down and exposing the metal underneath. [3] X Research Sources
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Place the magnet close to the item that could be gold. Hold a magnet directly above the item. Lower the magnet until it almost touches the surface of the item. If you feel like the magnet is being attracted or pulled down, the object is not pure gold. Other metals present in the object, such as nickel, are reacting with the magnet. Pure gold will not attract a magnet because it is a non-ferrous metal. [4] X Research Sources
Do a deeper test
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Sprinkle some vinegar on the surface of the item and observe the color change. Pour white vinegar into the dropper. Hold a metal object firmly in your hand or place it on a table and drop 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 then it’s pure gold. [5] X Research Sources
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Dab the metal object on the gold test stone. Place a black gold test stone on the table. Hold the metal object firmly in your hand and stroke the stone hard enough to make a line. If the mark left on the stone is hard and golden, then the object you want to test is pure gold. If there are no lines or only a very slight stain, the object is probably plated gold or not gold at all. [6] X Research Sources
- Be careful with this method, because if you are not careful, you can damage the jewelry. You also need to use the right type of stone, otherwise the marks will be meaningless. You can buy test stones at silversmiths’ hardware stores or online.
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Rub the object that could be gold into the ceramic dish. Place the unglazed ceramic plate on the table. Hold the golden object in your hand and rub it on the plate. Observe if any lines or marks appear. The black line indicates that the item you are testing is not gold or just plated gold.
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Try gold with liquid makeup foundation. Apply a thin layer of liquid foundation on the back of your hand and let it dry. Press metal object into foundation and rub. Real gold will leave a line on the cream. If no lines are visible, the object is plated gold or another metal. [7] X Research Sources
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Use an electronic gold tester. This is a compact handheld device with a probe that you can buy online or at silversmiths’ hardware stores. To analyze a metal, you would rub a conductive “test” gel onto the metal object, then rub the probe into it. This gel is available at the same place that sells gold testers. The way a metal reacts with electricity will tell if the metal is pure gold. [8] X Research Sources
- Carefully read the instructions that came with the gold tester for accurate results. Gold is a good conductor of electricity, so a pure gold object will have a higher rating than a gold-plated object.
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Put the gold in the XRF spectrum analyzer. This machine is used by many jewelers to quickly determine the quality of a metal sample. Due to the high cost, this machine may not be suitable for home gold testing, unless you plan to use it often. To use the XRF scanner, you need to place a metal object in the machine, activate the machine and wait for the results to appear. [9] X Research Source
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Bring your gold to an expert. If you receive conflicting results or if you want to confirm the results, you can ask the gold shop about testing. The inspection specialist will further analyze the quality of the metal. This can be expensive, so you should only do it if you believe your item is worth it. [10] X Research Source
Test gold with acid
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Buy an acid gold test kit for a more accurate reading of gold purity. You can purchase this test kit at silversmith supply stores. The test kit comes with all the necessary materials and detailed instructions. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and prepare your tools carefully before you start testing for gold. [11] X Trusted Source Gempogical Institute of America Go to Source
- This test kit sold online is also relatively cheap, about 600,000 VND.
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Check the karat markings on the needles. The gold tester will have several needles that you will use to test different types of gold. Look for the kara value written on the edge of the needle. Each needle will have a color pattern on the tip. Use a yellow needle to test yellow metals, and a white needle to test white metals. [12] X Trusted Source Gempogical Institute of America Go to source
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Carve a line with an engraving knife. Rotate the item to find an inconspicuous spot. Hold the engraving knife firmly in your hand and carve a small line into the metal object, the purpose is to reveal the deeper layers of the metal. [13] X Trusted Source Gempogical Institute of America Go to Source
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Wear safety glasses and gloves. You are using acid, so it is important to wear thick but tight-fitting gloves. You should also protect your eyes to prevent distance. Avoid touching your face or eyes while working with acids. [14] X Trusted Source Gempogical Institute of America Go to source
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Put a drop of acid on the mark. Choose the right needle for the gold and place the tip just above the mark. Press down on the plunger until a drop of acid drips onto the mark. [15] X Trusted Source Gempogical Institute of America Go to source
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Read the results. Look closely at the mark you made earlier and where you dropped 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 plated gold or another metal entirely. The test kit has a variety of color indicators, so read the color instructions carefully when reading the results. [16] X Trusted Source Gempogical Institute of America Go to Source
Advice
- Remember to wipe off the gold after each test using different methods.
Warning
- Be very careful when working with acid, as it can seriously damage skin on contact.
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This article was co-written by Kennon Young. Kennon Young is a GIA graduate gemologist and JA jewelry technician. He received the highest certification in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Gemologist in 2016.
There are 7 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 29,880 times.
Gold is a precious metal with many different colors and degrees of purity. The value of a piece of jewelry or a gold object will depend greatly on whether it is plated gold or pure gold. To determine the quality of a metal object, you start by looking closely 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 that you might consider is to pour acid on the metal object and observe the reaction.
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