Know What You Are Wearing
Whether you have inherited jewelry, bought from an unfamiliar source, or simply want to verify your pieces, knowing how to test gold authenticity is valuable knowledge. While definitive testing requires professional equipment, several simple at-home methods can give you a strong indication of whether gold is real.
Visual Inspection
- Look for hallmarks: Genuine gold jewelry is typically stamped with its karat mark — 10K, 14K, 18K, 375, 585, 750. Find the stamp on the clasp (necklaces), inside the band (rings), or on the post (earrings). No stamp does not necessarily mean fake, but legitimate manufacturers almost always mark their pieces
- Check for discoloration: Real gold does not tarnish, turn green, or leave marks on skin under normal conditions. If your gold jewelry has turned green, black, or left skin discoloration, it may be gold-plated over a base metal
- Look at wear areas: On older pieces, check areas of heavy wear (edges, clasps, high points). If you see a different-colored metal showing through, the piece is gold-plated, not solid gold
The Magnet Test
- Gold is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet (not a refrigerator magnet — use a rare earth neodymium magnet) near the jewelry
- If the piece is attracted to the magnet, it contains ferromagnetic metal and is NOT solid gold
- If the piece does not react to the magnet, it MAY be gold (but non-magnetic base metals like copper and brass also do not react, so this test alone is not conclusive)
The Float Test
- Gold is very dense (19.3 g/cm3 — nearly twice as dense as silver). Drop the piece into a glass of water
- Real gold sinks immediately and sits on the bottom
- If the piece floats or sinks slowly, it is likely not solid gold
- Note: this test works best with substantial pieces. Small, thin pieces may be affected by surface tension
The Ceramic Test
- Drag the gold piece across an unglazed ceramic plate or tile (like the back of a bathroom tile)
- Real gold leaves a gold-colored streak
- Fake gold typically leaves a dark or black streak
- Caution: this test may scratch the jewelry slightly
Professional Testing
- For definitive results, take the piece to a jeweler who can perform an acid test or use an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzer
- Professional testing is quick, inexpensive (often free), and conclusive
- An independent appraisal provides written documentation of the metal content and value