How can you tell if the gold you have purchased is real?

Gold, valued for its durability, exceptional shine, and resistance to corrosion, has been used for centuries to make jewelry and is treated as a form of investment. Thanks to its properties and history, it is considered a symbol of wealth and financial security. Its unique physical properties also make gold play an important role in other fields, such as electronics and medicine.

Given the popularity of gold and its market value, there is a risk of purchasing low-quality or even counterfeit products. Therefore, verifying the authenticity of purchased gold is crucial for both investors and those interested in jewelry.

In this article, we will introduce methods that allow you to make sure that you have purchased real gold. We will also advise you on how to check gold at home and what methods used by professionals, including goldsmiths, are the best way to assess the authenticity of gold when you want to make sure that you are dealing with the most desirable metal in the world.

Table of contents:

• How to check the fineness of gold?
• Checking the authenticity of gold
• Distinguishing gold from brass
• Methods of identifying gold
• Nitric acid test
• Archimedes' test
• Checking density
• Investment gold and its authenticity
• Problems with fraud in gold trading
• Summary and advice

How to check the fineness of gold?

The fineness of gold, i.e., the content of pure gold in an alloy, can be determined using various methods, some of which require specialized equipment or knowledge.

• Nitric acid test - this is one of the most popular home methods for testing gold. Higher-grade gold, such as 18-karat or higher, is resistant to nitric acid, while lower-grade gold or metal alloys may change color.
• Spectrometric analysis – this is the most accurate method used by professionals, which allows them to determine the exact chemical composition of a sample, including the content of gold and other metals. Spectrometric analysis is commonly used by jewelers, mints, and laboratories, providing a precise result regarding the fineness and authenticity of gold.
• Certificates and markings – gold products from reputable manufacturers are often marked with a fineness mark (e.g., 585, 750) and have certificates of authenticity. When purchasing gold coins or bars from a reliable source, checking these markings and certificates is a quick way to confirm the fineness.

Checking the authenticity of gold

It is not possible to test gold at home, but it is possible to make a preliminary assessment of the authenticity of an item that we believe to be made of gold.

How to check the authenticity of gold? You can do the following:

• Magnet test – gold, being non-magnetic, should not react to a magnet. If the item is attracted, it may contain admixtures of magnetic metals, suggesting that it is a fake or an alloy with a low gold content.
• Ceramic test - dragging gold across an unglazed ceramic tile may leave a golden mark, suggesting the authenticity of the gold. This method may indicate the presence of gold, but does not determine its fineness or purity.
• Water test - gold has a high density (approximately 19.3 g/cm³), so a genuine gold item should sink to the bottom of a container of water and not float. This quick test allows you to preliminarily determine the authenticity of the metal.

You can always test gold at home, but its authenticity is best confirmed by professional laboratory tests, such as spectrometric analysis, which allows for unambiguous determination of the composition and quality of the metal. Reputable manufacturers and mints use special markings and certificates that prove the authenticity of gold. Authentic coins and bars should have a hallmark and a certificate indicating the fineness and manufacturer.

Distinguishing gold from brass

Distinguishing gold from brass can be challenging due to the similar appearance of these materials. However, they differ significantly in terms of physical and chemical properties, which allows for their identification.

1. Physical properties:

• Color and shine - gold has a characteristic deep, warm color and high shine that does not change over time. Tombac, an alloy of copper and zinc (approximately 80-90% copper), often has a more yellowish or greenish tint and a less intense shine.
• Density - Gold is significantly heavier than brass. Due to its high density, gold feels heavier, even in small items. You can check this by weighing the item and comparing its weight to its size. Gold will always be noticeably heavier than brass of similar dimensions.

2. Chemical properties:

• Acid resistance - gold, especially high-grade gold, is resistant to most acids, while tombac reacts easily with nitric acid. A gentle acid test can be performed at home, but it is best to do so under the supervision of a specialist.
• Magnet reaction - The magnet reaction is one method of testing the authenticity of metal, but its effectiveness is limited when it comes to distinguishing between gold and tombac. Gold is completely non-magnetic, so it does not react to a magnet in any way. Tombac, which is an alloy of copper and zinc, also does not react to a magnet unless it contains trace amounts of magnetic metals, such as nickel. In this case, tombac may show a slight attraction to the magnet, but this is rare. Therefore, the magnet test is more effective in distinguishing gold from other metals that are naturally magnetic (e.g., steel or iron), but it is not sufficient to distinguish gold from tombac.

3. Markings:

• Items made of gold often have an engraved hallmark, which is proof of their value and authenticity. Tombac, although it may look similar, usually does not have such markings, and also loses its shine more quickly and oxidizes, leading to darkening of the surface.

The use of the above methods allows for effective identification of real gold and distinguishing it from cheaper tombac, especially if the check is carried out by a specialist.

Methods of identifying gold

Methods for identifying gold allow for accurate determination of its authenticity and fineness using physical and chemical techniques that exploit the specific properties of this metal.

Nitric acid test

As mentioned above, nitric acid testing allows for preliminary verification of gold purity. Nitric acid reacts with metals that have a low gold content, changing their color or causing discoloration, while high-purity gold (e.g., 18 karat or higher) is resistant to this acid. Small samples of acid at different concentrations are typically used to perform this test in order to match their effect to the gold content.

Archimedes' test

The Archimedes test, which is based on the principle of buoyancy, measures the density of gold by immersing a sample in water and comparing the volume of displaced liquid with the mass of the sample. The density of pure gold is approximately 19.3 g/cm³, which is its unique feature. Most metals used as alloys have a lower density, so if a gold sample has a lower value than the standard, this may indicate the presence of other metals or a lower fineness.

Checking density

Measuring density using precision scales and an appropriate calculator allows for quick estimation of the gold content in the alloy. Products made of 14-karat gold have a density of 12.9–14.6 g/cm³, while 18-karat gold has a density of approximately 15.2–15.9 g/cm³, which differs from the density of pure gold. In combination with Archimedes' scale, this technique allows for a precise estimation of the gold content and distinguishes real gold from imitations.

Each method can be used separately, but a more complete picture and greater certainty can be obtained by using them simultaneously or by sending the sample for analysis to a professional laboratory.

Investment gold and its authenticity

The authenticity of investment gold, such as bullion coins and bars, is a key factor in assessing its value. In the context of investment, certainty about the origin and gold content of the product protects investors from the risk of purchasing counterfeit metals. Bullion coins and gold bars often have a specific fineness, e.g., 999, which means almost 100% purity of gold, and are issued by reputable mints, such as the Polish Mint or the Perth Mint, which further enhances their credibility.

Reputable mints supply their products with certificates that contain information about the origin, weight, fineness, and serial number, facilitating the identification of each coin and bar. Rigorous production procedures ensure the highest quality of investment gold, making it recognized and accepted on international markets.

Problems with fraud in gold trading

Fraud in gold trading can pose a significant risk to investors.

• Gold with additives – a common scam is to sell gold with a lower fineness than declared or with metals other than precious metals. To avoid this risk, it is worth checking the fineness of gold at certified purchasing points and buying only products with a certificate of authenticity from reputable manufacturers.
  
  
• "Fool's gold" - certified investment gold, such as bullion coins or bars, usually has fairly stable prices based on the current market rate plus the seller's margin. If someone offers gold significantly below this value, it may indicate the presence of impurities or that the item is made of a lower grade of gold than declared, which reduces its investment value. An undervalued price may mean that the product is so-called "fool's gold," i.e., an item imitating gold, made of cheap metals, such as tombac or tungsten alloy covered with only a thin layer of gold. Gold that is too cheap may also mean the risk of buying a product of unknown or illegal origin.
  
  
• Fake certificates of authenticity – bars and coins with counterfeit certificates can be found on the market. For this reason, it is advisable to buy gold only from reputable dealers or directly from mints. In addition, some products have individual serial numbers that can be checked in the manufacturer's databases.
  
  
• Unscrupulous purchasing centers – in uncertified locations, you may encounter dishonest sellers who try to sell fake bars. To avoid this risk, it is best to use the services of well-known and proven precious metal purchasing centers.

Avoiding fraud in gold trading requires prudence and caution. When buying investment gold, it is worth choosing reputable sellers and using proven methods of authenticity verification, such as spectrometry or sample analysis in a certified laboratory.

Summary and advice

Purchasing and verifying the authenticity of gold requires a conscious approach, as the market for this precious metal attracts both investors and dishonest sellers. People who decide to buy gold should know the key principles of its authentication and take precautions to avoid the pitfalls associated with counterfeit products.

Verifying the authenticity of gold can involve various methods, from home tests, such as the magnet test or acid tests, to professional analyses carried out in certified laboratories. Below, we summarize the most important information regarding the assessment of gold authenticity and practical tips to help you make a safe purchase.

Practical advice for buyers

1. Buy from reputable suppliers – always choose proven mints or certified gold retailers to minimize the risk of fraud.
   
   
2. Check certificates of authenticity – for investment bars and coins, make sure they have the appropriate certificate and that the fineness and weight are marked on the product.
   
   
3. Avoid suspiciously low prices—gold sold below market prices may indicate low purity or a counterfeit product. In such cases, it is worth seeking a professional appraisal.
   
   
4. Invest in basic knowledge—knowledge about methods of identifying gold, such as Archimedes' test or the reaction to acid, is helpful and allows you to perform a basic authenticity check before going to a specialist.
   
   
5. By keeping these rules in mind and using proven verification methods, you can avoid the risk of purchasing fake gold and enjoy the value and security of this precious metal.