Gold has always been and remains the most stable way to invest capital. After all, this precious metal practically does not lose its value and is constantly growing in price. It is not surprising that the fake jewelry business attracts all kinds of dishonest dealers and brings huge profits to scammers. This article will tell you how to distinguish gold from a fake and not become a victim of rogues.
Features of the precious metal
Pure gold has a rich yellow color and differs from other metals in softness and ductility. And to give strength to jewelry, copper or silver, as well as other substances, are always added to it. So no piece of jewelry can be made of "pure gold". The sample is just the percentage of pure metal. For example, in a 585 sample item, there should be 58.5% gold, and the rest should be impurities. "Clean" can only be called bank bars with a fineness of 999. But thisgold is not used in making jewelry. So if there is a 999 sample on the product tag, then this is a clear lie.
Are you real?
The best way to distinguish gold from a fake is to take it to a specialist for verification. But if it is not possible to visit a jeweler, then you can take a few tips from professionals. First of all, carefully consider the decoration. It should have a special marking that is responsible for the authenticity of the metal. In addition, a sample must be stamped on the gold jewelry, if not, then the weight of the product in carats. A magnifying glass will make it easier to see. If the sample has fuzzy and blurry outlines, then most likely it is a fake. Of course, this does not apply to antique jewelry.
But modern scammers have learned to test on fakes, so this method does not always help. How to distinguish fake gold if there is a test? First of all, look at the edges and joints of the decoration. Over time, the top layer is erased, and if another metal is visible through it, then the jewelry in front of you is not made of pure gold.
Checking "for a tooth"
We all often saw the same scene in the cinema: a man checks gold “for a tooth”. This method really works, and in this way you can recognize whether the jewelry is real or fake. Take, for example, a ring or an earring and press it with your teeth. Traces will remain on real gold, and the deeper they are, the higher the sample of the product. However, there is one moresoft metal, which will also leave dents, is lead. So a tooth test is not a reliable way to distinguish real gold from a fake. Read more about other methods.
Ceramics to help
There are a huge number of ways to distinguish gold from a fake at home, but now we will talk about the simplest. Take an unglazed stoneware and run a piece of gold over it with a little pressure. Be careful when doing this, as the decoration can be easily scratched. Now look at the result of your actions: if the strip left by the product is black, then you have a real fake. Gold on this test leaves a yellow line.
Magnet check
For the following method, how to distinguish gold from a fake at home, you will need a small magnet. Just do not think that the one that adorns your refrigerator will do. The magnet should be real, heavy and solid. Only this one interacts perfectly with all metals. Bring a gold item to a magnet, and if they are attracted, then you have a fake in front of you. But sometimes a component is added to jewelry that is attracted by a magnet. In this case, you can confuse a real jewelry with a fake. So this method is not the most correct, so you should try other ways to check.
Nitric acid
This chemical solution will easily detect a fake. How to distinguish gold from a fake with itshelp? For the experiment, we need a small metal dish in which we will place the decoration. Now we drop a solution from a pipette onto the product and observe the reaction: if the decoration has changed color and acquired a greenish tint, then you are dealing with the most ordinary metal. The gilding in this test will take on a milky hue, and only real gold will not change in color. To date, this is the most reliable way to detect fake metal! But this is not to say that nitric acid is available in every home, so it is worth learning about other methods of testing.
A few more ways
- Take a small bowl and pour vinegar into it. Now lower the gold jewelry there. If the metal is real, then nothing will happen to it. The fake will darken within two minutes.
- Sound check. Throw a piece of gold jewelry on the table and listen: the precious metal sounds loud, like crystal. This test can only be done on small items such as earrings, rings, pendants.
- Iodine testing. This chemical element interacts with all metals except gold. To check, put a drop of iodine on the product, preferably on the inside, and look at the reaction: if the metal has darkened, turned light gray or even black, then the jewelry is fake. Real gold will remain permanently yellow.
How to distinguish gold from fake gold or copper
All of the above methods are relevant in cases of outright fake. But howto recognize whether another metal is hidden under a thin layer of gold and whether gilding is given out as a “clean” product? The presence of a sample has not been an indicator of the truth of the metal for a long time, so let's move on to practical checks.
First of all, look at the jewelry, it should not have scratches, and the processing should be perfectly smooth. If you notice minor damage, then, most likely, the jewelry is covered with gilding, and it has only a lock made of real metal. If everything is clean, then scrape the decoration in an inconspicuous area. Under such a test, the gold will remain intact, but the gilding will slightly lag behind, and the other metal will be exposed.
A great way to distinguish gold from a fake is a lapis pencil. This medical product interacts well and oxidizes metals, and you can buy it at any pharmacy. Scratch the product a little and wet this place with water. Now you need to draw on the scraping with a pencil. All metals except gold will darken.
How to distinguish gold from fake and brass
The most common method of cheating in the jewelry market is to pass off brass alloys that look very similar as "pure" gold.
In some cases, only a professional can distinguish a fake, but you can avoid fraud yourself:
- Look at the shade of the product. Any discrepancy with the usual color of gold indicates a large amount of impurities.
- Before you buy a piece of jewelry, you should find out its regular price. If the cost of the product is too low, the likelihood of a fake increases significantly.
- Brass and gold differ in chemical composition, respectively, they have different weights. That is, the same products will have different masses. Gold is heavier and precious metal jewelry will weigh more.
Maybe it's silver?
White gold has recently become wildly popular. This is due to the fact that products made of such metal are distinguished by special sophistication and sophistication. It is not surprising that the market was flooded with fakes from a less noble metal. How to distinguish white gold from a fake? First of all, look at the color of the product. Silver has a colder tone. A good test method is the paper test. If you run a piece of silver over it, an almost imperceptible mark will remain, white gold will not leave it at all. In addition, tests with iodine, vinegar, a magnet and a lapis pencil, which were mentioned above, will help to distinguish a noble metal.
It is best to buy real jewelry in well-known jewelry stores that value their reputation. And what is especially important - try to avoid shopping in spontaneous markets, in stalls, passages or from strangers. This will help you not to be disappointed and not become a victim of scammers. Do not try to save money - and then the decoration will delight you with its warm color and bright shine for a long time.
