Since ancient times, gold has been one of the most popular precious metals used as jewelry. In addition, gold is also considered a profitable investment because its price usually rises and rarely experiences a drastic decline.
Gold is often targeted by counterfeiters due to its high and stable value. They create fake gold that resembles real gold so much that it is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.
To find out how to manually distinguish between real and fake gold, from paying attention to its physical characteristics, testing it with a magnet, to testing it professionally, check out the full review below.
Easy, Here are 10 Ways to Distinguish Real and Fake Gold Manually
Here below are some ways to distinguish real and fake gold that you need to know, including:
1. Paying Attention to the Physical Characteristics of Gold
The difference between real and fake gold can be seen from its physical characteristics. Real gold jewelry usually has a letter code that indicates its origin and a special mark that indicates the gold content.
The characteristics of real gold in jewelry can be seen in the form of engraved numbers 1 to 999 or in carat units, such as 10K, 18K, 22K, and 24K.
2. Testing Gold with a Magnet
Apart from checking its physical characteristics, real and fake gold can also be distinguished by using a magnet. Real gold is not magnetic so it will not be attracted by a magnet.
However, if the gold contains a mixture of other metals such as iron or nickel, it will be attracted by a magnet. However, this method does not always guarantee the authenticity of gold.
Generally, gold jewelry contains an admixture of other precious metals that make it more impact-resistant. Even high grade gold jewelry can be affected by magnets. Therefore, this method is more accurate when applied to 24-karat gold bars.
3. Scratching Gold on Ceramic
To manually distinguish between real and fake gold, you can use plain ceramic. Simply scratch the gold gently onto the ceramic surface. If black scratches appear, it is likely that the gold contains other metals.
Black scratches will not be visible on real gold, which is often the case with fake gold. The color will remain shiny yellow and not fade even when scratched on the ceramic.
4. Dripping Nitric Acid on Gold
Real gold will not react to nitric acid when tested, unlike fake gold. However, if it is fake gold, the following color changes will occur:
Golden yellow: indicates gold-plated brass metal.
Green: indicates gold-plated iron metal.
Milky white: indicates gold-plated silver metal.
It is important to note that this test is risky if done alone as nitric acid is harmful to respiratory health.
5. Biting the Gold to Ensure Authenticity
Not only athletes bite their gold medals after winning a competition, you can also check the authenticity of gold by biting it. Real gold will leave bite marks when bitten, while fake gold will not.
6. Smell the Gold
If you want to know the difference between real and fake gold then try smelling the scent. Testing based on gold’s property of not rusting even when immersed in water can help distinguish between real and fake gold.
Fake gold that contains brass or copper tends to give off a fishy or rusty odor after being exposed to sweat, water, or soaking.
7. Checking the Conductivity of Gold
Testing the conductivity or ability of gold to conduct heat is an effective way to distinguish between real and fake gold. Gold is a fairly good conductor among other metals, although it is still below copper and silver in terms of conductivity.
However, gold is able to conduct heat better than brass. Because of this, gold is often used in the manufacture of chips for laptops or computers as well as astronaut helmet protectors.
8. Testing the Ringing Sound of Gold
One easy way to distinguish between real and fake gold is to test its ringing sound when dropped. Real gold bars have a solid structure so when dropped on a hard surface or ceramic, the sound will remain loud.
The ringing sound of real gold tends to be longer and clearer when dropped on a metal surface. Fake gold, on the other hand, tends to produce a shorter and less sonorous ringing sound when dropped.
9. Measuring the Density of Gold
- Gold Density Test: Using the density formula
Distinguishing between real and fake gold by density testing is more complex than the previous methods. Tests using water and glass as media can help in distinguishing between real and fake gold.
To perform this test, gold is placed into a glass filled with water to measure the shift in volume. The presence of gold can be measured using the following density formula:
Density = Mass of Gold / Volume Shift
For example, if a gold with a mass of 38 grams produces a volume shift of 2 ml then the calculation method can be applied as follows:
Density = Mass of Gold / Volume Shift
= 38 g / 2 ml
= 19 g/ml
The density of pure gold with a grade of 24 karat of about 19.3 g/ml is what needs to be considered. Therefore, the volume shift observed above may be close to the density value of real gold.
- Different Density Based on Rust
It is important to note that the purity of gold can vary depending on its density. Here are some examples of measurements, namely:
- 14K yellow gold: 12,9 g/ml—14,6 g/ml
- 18K yellow gold: 15,2 g/ml—15,9 g/ml
- 18K white gold: 14,7 g/ml—16,9 g/ml
- 22K yellow gold 17,7 g/ml—17,8 g/ml
10. Testing Gold Professionally
To professionally confirm the authenticity of gold, it is advisable to take the gold to an expert or trusted gold shop. They can conduct tests using more accurate tools and methods, such as a spectrometer or X-ray fluorescence (XRF).
Additional Knowledge: Gold Codes to Know
Gold authenticity measurements use carats, which calculate the proportion of gold in the alloy by 24 parts. For example, 18 carat gold has a gold ratio of 18/24. Pure gold reaches the highest value of 24 carats, with a content of 99.9%, also known as sterling.
The karat value is important to consumers as a guide to buying precious metals because the lower the karat value, the more alloys there are in the gold, such as nickel, copper or zinc. Here are some important gold codes to know:
- Gold code 150: 3.6 carats, with 15% gold content
- Gold code 300: 7.2 carats, with 30% gold content
- Gold code 333: 8 carats, with 33% gold content
- Gold code 375: 9 carats, with 37.5% gold content
- Gold code 400: 9.6 carats, with a gold content of 40%
- Gold code 420: 10 carats, with a gold content of 42%
- Gold code 585: 14 carat, with a gold content of 58.5%
- Gold code 700: 17 carat, with 70% gold content
- Gold code 750: 18 carat, with a gold content of 75%
- Gold code 833: 20 carat, with 83% gold content
- Gold code 850: 20.4 carats, with 85% gold content
- Gold code 875: 21 carats, with 87.5% gold content
- Gold code 916: 22 carats, with a gold content of 91.6%
- Gold code 958: 23 carats, with a gold content of 96%
- Gold code 999: 24 carat, with 99.9% gold content
Bitcoin as Digital Gold
Quoting the coinvestasi.com, page, one of the supporters of the idea that Bitcoin (BTC), an asset discovered by Satoshi Nakamoto, is digital gold is economist from Deutsche Bank, Marion Laboure. According to her, Bitcoin (BTC) has the potential to become digital gold.
Marion Laboure is a lecturer in finance and economics at Harvard University. Business Insider also listed her name as one of the crypto asset masterminds of 2023.
In Marion Laboure’s view, Bitcoin has characteristics that qualify it as a hedge against rising inflation and uncertainty in financial conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bitcoin is considered suitable as a hedge because its supply is limited, with the maximum amount that will be in circulation not exceeding 21,000,000 Bitcoin. Currently, about 89% of the total Bitcoin supply is already circulating in the market.
Laboure also points out that in financial history spanning the last few centuries, people often shifted their investments to assets that were not affected by government jurisdiction, such as gold.
Laboure opined, “Increased government control over society could be a factor that makes Bitcoin more attractive. History shows that over the years, as governments have increasingly controlled the population, people have tended to turn to assets that are not linked to government jurisdiction.”
The Gold Investment Revolution Has Arrived: Meet Lyfe Gold (LGOLD)
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With cutting-edge blockchain technology, LGOLD offers:
- Instant and secure transactions worldwide
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- Minimal transaction fees, maximizing the value of your investment
LGOLD’s flexibility is unparalleled:
- Exchange into fiat currencies like Rupiah at the current gold price
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LGOLD is the perfect bridge between the world of traditional investment and modern financial innovation. It’s not just an investment – it’s a new way to own and manage gold in the digital age.
Don’t let this revolution pass you by. LGOLD opens the door to a smarter, safer and more flexible future of gold investing. Start your digital gold investment journey today with LGOLD!
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FAQ
1. How do I check the authenticity of gold with a magnet?
Real gold is not magnetic. If gold is attracted by a magnet then there is most likely an admixture of other metals, such as iron or nickel.
2. What should you look for on the physical appearance of gold to ensure its authenticity?
Look for letter or number codes that indicate the grade of gold, such as 10K, 18K, 22K, or 24K, as well as the distinctive color and luster of gold that does not fade easily.
3. Will real gold react to nitric acid?
Real gold will not react to nitric acid. If there is a change in color (golden yellow, green, or milky white) then it indicates fake or plated gold.
4. What happens if real gold is bitten?
Real gold tends to be softer and will leave bite marks. Fake gold is usually harder and does not show bite marks.
5. How to measure the density of gold to confirm its authenticity
Use the density formula:
Density = Mass of Gold / Volume Shift
Real gold has a density of about 19.3 g/ml. For example, if gold with a mass of 38 grams produces a volume shift of 2 ml then the density is 19 g/ml.
