How to Tell if Gold Is Real
Look for an official number marking on the gold.. Use the number marking to determine how much gold is in your piece.. Check for a letter marking indicating that the gold isn't pure.
Steps
Look for an official number marking on the gold.
Look for an official number marking on the gold.
Use the number marking to determine how much gold is in your piece.
Use the number marking to determine how much gold is in your piece.
Check for a letter marking indicating that the gold isn't pure.
Check for a letter marking indicating that the gold isn't pure.
Find any noticeable discolorations where the gold has worn away.
Find any noticeable discolorations where the gold has worn away.
Note any discolorations on your skin from wearing or holding the gold.
Note any discolorations on your skin from wearing or holding the gold.
Drop gold into a jug of water to see if it sinks.
Drop gold into a jug of water to see if it sinks.
Hold a strong magnet up to see if the gold sticks to it.
Hold a strong magnet up to see if the gold sticks to it.
Rub the gold on a unglazed ceramic to see if it leaves a streak.
Rub the gold on a unglazed ceramic to see if it leaves a streak.
Weigh your piece of gold on a scale.
Weigh your piece of gold on a scale.
Fill a graduated cylinder halfway full with water.
Fill a graduated cylinder halfway full with water.
Read the starting water level in the cylinder.
Read the starting water level in the cylinder.
Drop the gold into the vial and record the new water level.
Drop the gold into the vial and record the new water level.
Subtract the measurements to find the difference in the water level.
Subtract the measurements to find the difference in the water level.
Divide the gold's weight by the difference in the water level.
Divide the gold's weight by the difference in the water level.
Purchase gold-testing kit to get the acid you need for the test.
Purchase gold-testing kit to get the acid you need for the test.
Create a small scratch on the gold using a sharp tool.
Create a small scratch on the gold using a sharp tool.
Add a drop of nitric acid to the scratch.
Add a drop of nitric acid to the scratch.
Scratch the gold on a touchstone to test its purity.
Scratch the gold on a touchstone to test its purity.
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