To distinguish genuine from fake gold jewelry, you can start from the following aspects:
First, observe the appearance features
Color and luster:
True gold: Golden in color, uniform in hue, and rich in texture. As the purity increases, the color will gradually deepen. For example, pure gold usually presents a deep reddish yellow color.
False gold: The color may be too dark or too light, with uneven hues, and even show bluish-white or dull mixed colors.
Marks and labels:
Genuine gold: On genuine gold jewelry, there are usually purity marks engraved, such as "999 Pure Gold", "Au999", "G999", etc., as well as brand logos, etc. These marks should be clear and complete, without any traces of alteration or forgery.
Fake gold: It may have no mark or the mark may be blurry, and even be engraved with marks such as "18KRGP" or "14KRGP" indicating gold plating.
Second, physical testing methods
Magnet test
Real gold: Gold is a non-magnetic metal and will not be attracted when approached by a magnet.
Fake gold: If gold jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it is very likely to contain other magnetic metal components and is fake gold.
Listen to the sound:
True gold: Due to its high density and soft texture, when gently dropped onto a hard surface, it makes a dull sound and does not bounce back.
Fake gold: The sound is relatively clear and crisp, and sometimes it may rebound or jump violently.
Hardness test
Real gold: It has a relatively low hardness. When gently scratched with a fingernail or a pin, it may leave a slight mark.
Fake gold: It has a relatively high hardness, is not easy to leave marks, and may even show scratches or damage.
Weigh:
True gold: It has a high density and is heavier than other metals of the same volume, giving a sense of heaviness.
Fake gold: It has a relatively low density and feels light and airy.
Third, chemical testing methods
White vinegar test
Soak the gold jewelry in white vinegar for 30 to 60 minutes. Real gold has stable chemical properties and will not react with white vinegar, so there will be no changes on its surface. The metal components in fake gold may react with white vinegar, resulting in phenomena such as bubbling and discoloration.
Nitric acid test
Operation: Drop a drop of nitric acid onto the gold jewelry and observe the reaction.
Result: If the nitric acid area shows green, the jewelry may be made of ordinary metal or gold-plated products. If it appears golden, it is gold-plated copper. If it presents a milk color, it is gold-plated and silver-plated. If there is no reaction at all, it might be real gold.
Note: Nitric acid is corrosive. Be careful when handling it and it is best to do so under the guidance of professionals.
Fourth, professional appraisal methods
Professional institution testing
Send the gold jewelry to a professional jewelry appraisal institution for testing. These institutions will adopt advanced testing equipment and technologies, such as X-ray spectrometers, to conduct non-destructive tests on samples and accurately analyze the gold content and other impurity components in the samples.
Touchstone comparison method
Use a gold medal of known fineness and the sample to be tested to grind the track on the touchstone. By comparing the depth of the color left by the grinding track, the fineness of the sample can be roughly judged. Although this method is simple, it still requires certain professional knowledge and experience.
Fifth, other precautions
Purchase channel:
Choose regular channels and well-known brands to purchase gold jewelry to avoid buying counterfeit and shoddy products.
Request for certificates:
When making a purchase, ask the merchant for proof documents such as the appraisal certificate or warranty. The appraisal certificate will indicate information such as the purity, weight per unit area, and anti-counterfeiting code of the gold. You can verify it by calling the anti-counterfeiting hotline or logging into the official website.
Price judgment:
The price of gold is relatively stable. If the price of a certain type of gold jewelry is much lower than the market price, be vigilant about its authenticity.
To sum up, distinguishing genuine from fake gold jewelry requires the comprehensive application of multiple methods. When purchasing, one should carefully observe the appearance features, conduct simple physical and chemical tests, and choose to buy from regular channels and well-known brands. If there are any doubts, it is best to send it to a professional institution for testing.