How to Test for Real Gold

Gold! Well, maybe. Many a gold miner has been fooled into thinking they have found gold when they have actually come across a mineral that resembles gold, referred to as "fool's gold." Another unfortunate occurrence is when someone buys a piece of gold jewelry that was, in fact, only gold-colored -- but how do you tell? This article will help you know when it is gold and when it isn't.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look at the "gold" in the sun. Gold should retain its color in the sun as well as the shade. Many metals glitter in the sun, but gold isn't one of them.

2. Stick a sharp needle or pin in the gold. If it fractures or cracks, it isn't gold. Gold is malleable, meaning it can bend and be dented but it doesn't crack easily.

3. Gold is heavy. It will sink to the bottom and stay there. If you are gold panning, a great test is to rock the pan back and forth with some water. Gold should stay at the bottom and not move around much.

4. A sure-fire way to tell if something is not gold is to wear it on your skin. If your skin turns a greenish color, that isn't gold you are wearing but more likely another metal with possibly a bit of gold content. A pure gold piece of jewelry will not react with skin.

5. Try running a magnet over the "gold." Precious metals like gold and silver are not magnetic, so if your "gold" is attracted by the magnet, that isn't a good sign. Of course, if it isn't, that doesn't guarantee it is gold. Lots of things are nonmagnetic, like wood.

6. The best way to test gold is to take it into an expert to be tested. Experts have sophisticated acid tests that can determine the exact gold content and value of any gold item.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not put bleach on your gold. There is a common myth that gold will not turn color in bleach while other metals will. This is false. Bleach will tarnish and possibly damage your gold, especially if it is fine jewelry.