Often we are faced with situations when we need to determine whether we are holding a piece of precious metal. But how to determine gold at home? Let's talk about that.
Let's start with the simplest - with a visual assessment. First of all, a factory test will help determine gold at home. It can be located on the clasp, on the inside of the jewelry or on the side. But its absence does not necessarily indicate fraud.
If you are checking the authenticity of the ring, then carefully inspect the inside. It should not have any differences from the outside.
You've done all this, but doubts do not leave you? Then arm yourself with improvised means.
The most accessible method is to bring the jewelry to be checked to the magnet. Gold will not be attracted to it. However, as always, there is one "but". Some counterfeits contain non-precious metals such as aluminum or copper. They, too, will not be affected by the magnet.
Then ordinary vinegar will come to your aid. Dip for a couple of minutes the product in a glass withhim. If the color has changed, this is a fake.
The same can be done with iodine. Just one drop is enough. If from this the product began to darken, then the gold is not real.
An unfired ceramic figurine might also come in handy. Rub the decoration on it. If there is a trace of gold left, then you are holding real gold in your hands.
Now let's talk about how to determine gold at home without using any equipment. Some "experts" claim that when falling, gold emits a characteristic crystal ringing. But how to distinguish this sound from the rest? It is not worth considering this the ultimate truth, because these are rather subjective observations.
There is another controversial method, which is popularly called the "Method of Archimedes". It is usually used when checking a large volume of jewelry.
Gold belongs to heavy metals, therefore, it should sink quickly. But with what speed the jewelry should go to the bottom is unknown, therefore the authenticity of the method can be considered relative.
If you ask the older generation how to determine gold at home, they will answer briefly: "Try it!". Real gold should leave a small dent. The main thing is not to overdo it - teeth are still more expensive!
Many people must have heard something about methods with sunlight. But how to determine whether or not you hold gold in your hands, with the help of a luminary?It's simple: the real product will be the same color both in the light and in the shade, and the fake will be darker in the shade.
Another point I would like to dwell on is how to determine gold at home using a bread crumb. Let's just say that this process is not fast. We roll the decoration into a fresh crumb of black bread for a couple of days, and as soon as it hardens, we take out the product. Oxidation and greens indicate that you slipped a fake.
Here, in fact, are all the ways by which you can distinguish a real precious metal from a fake. But if the quality of the jewelry is a matter of principle, then you should contact a specialist.