How to Test Gold Jewellery

Overview

Gold is one of the most sought after precious metals. According to hieroglyphs, it has been mined since as early as 2600 BC in Egypt. The value of gold also rises because it has been mined from as early as 2600 BC in Egypt, according to hieroglyphs found that originated from that era. Gold is a metal that is not easily found and that adds to its value.

Gold has several properties which make it an excellent metal for jewellery making. Being extremely malleable and ductile, it can be molded into different shapes and designs. It is not easily affected by air, moisture, or other corrosive agents and hence it doesn’t easily lose its luster.

It is essential to understand that gold objects are valued based on the amount of gold they contain. This amount is measured by the karat system. The purity of gold is measured on a scale of 1 to 24, where 24 is the purest quality of gold. Another way of measuring the purity of gold is by the millesimal fineness system which indicates the purity of gold by parts per thousand of pure gold in the alloy by mass. What makes it essential to check the purity of gold is the fact that hallmarks aren’t 100% reliable.

The Acid Test

Every precious metal can be tested with the use of the acid test which only harms fake materials. Genuine gold lives up to a nitric acid test conducted at home. All you have to do is make a small mark on a piece of gold jewelry in an attempt to penetrate the surface. Carefully drop a small amount of nitric acid on the mark and wait for the chemical reaction to occur. If the gold is fake, it will immediately turn green where the acid is. If the jewellery is sterling silver, it will become milky in appearance. Genuine gold will not react to nitric acid. The desired result will be no change of color in the gold jewellery when the acid is dropped.

The Magnet Test

This is a simple and effective test to determine whether the gold jewelry manufacturer has supplied genuine or fake gold jewelry. Real gold will not attract a magnet under normal conditions. This test is the most convenient and portable test for genuine gold since a piece of magnet can be easily carried around in the pocket. Gold alloys or imitation gold will attract the magnet. The magnet test is an easy and effective way to determine the quality of gold as the magnet would reveal any underlying metal.

Using the Float Test

This test requires a simple cup of water. If the metal used by the gold jewellery manufacturer in making the gold jewelry is genuine gold, the piece of jewellery will immediately sink to the bottom of any liquid. If it is imitation gold, it will hover over the bottom or float but not sink. Also genuine gold will not rust or discolor when wet.

Skin Test

Genuine gold does not react with skin. Skin getting discolored from wearing fake gold jewelry is not a myth. In order to carry out this test, all you need to do is hold the gold jewelry in your hand for a while. Perspiration of skin leads to a chemical reaction with gold. The skin will discolor if the gold is not genuine and turn a green or black color. Genuine gold however does not react with the skin. Certified consultants and jewelers can be used to prove the purity of gold further and reveal the genuine weight of gold.

Conclusion

Gold jewelry is used by everyone. It is essential to be aware of the fake pieces of gold jewelry and the unscrupulous gold jewellery manufacturers. It is advisable to carry out these simple and effective tests to avoid getting duped into an unprofitable purchase.