How to Tell if Something is Real Gold

Gold is a very valuable commodity and many individuals out there try and sell products that appear to be gold but they are not. There is a way to tell if something is real gold and it is a very simple process. Simply by looking at a piece of jewelry in most cases someone can determine if the piece appears to be gold. But the true test of whether something is gold is to do an acid test. This test is usually done by a jeweler , a small scratch is made on the underside of a piece of jewelry and the acid is placed into the scratch if it turns dark it is not gold, it may be a mixture of some other types of metals.

How To Tell if Something is Real Gold

There are other ways to determine if something is real gold. The karat amount should be stamped on the piece either inside or on the clasp. True gold does not tarnish or rust, there are some very old pieces that do slightly brown but the aging process is very distinctive. Another way to test for authenticity is to place face powder or foundation on the hand and then rub the piece of jewelry on the hand if it leaves a black residue than it is real gold.

Another way to tell if something is real gold is to check the rings and clasp like those that are on necklaces and bracelets. Take a magnifying glass and look at the rings near the clasp if there is a slight green or black discoloration; in most cases this is not real gold. Real gold does not have that affect and real gold is softer and not easily discolored. If something looks fake most likely it is. If the item is very light in weight and someone is claiming it to be gold run a few test on it first. Never just take someone’s word for it, and for very old pieces let a reputable jeweler look at it before you write it off as worthless.

Conclusion

How to tell if something is real gold can involve something as simple as looking for the karat stamp on the item, doing an acid test, or taking it to a jeweler and letting them perform a karat test. Gold depending on the era it was purchased in and the country it was purchased from can have different markings or no markings at all.

The best way to tell if something is real gold is to take it to a reputable jeweler and let them do the acid test and the karat test. A true jeweler can usually tells if something is real just by looking at it. It takes years of experience to be able to do that. Real gold jewelry has a very distinct quality about it and it should be handled with care and maintained properly. Reputable places to get gold jewelry from should be licensed and bonded jewelers with years of experience.

Understanding how to evaluate gold is great for collecting cheap antiques that are worth more for their gold than for their collectible value. Finding a way to make money in this way is important to smart wealth management.