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Pair of gold rings or bands for newlyweds 1 image by fotosergio from Fotolia.com

Vinegar is a versatile cleaner used around the house, in boats and cars, and in foods. Corn alcohol is mixed with other nutrients and fermented to create white vinegar or a form of ascetic acid. You can use vinegar to find out if a ring is real gold or not. You can also use white vinegar to clean metals.

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glass cups image by Alexander Afonin from Fotolia.com

Pour the white vinegar into your glass cup. Do not add water.

Place the gold ring into the cup of white vinegar.

Let the gold ring sit in the cup of white vinegar for approximately 15 minutes.

Remove the gold ring and rinse with water. Real gold will shine while fake gold will change colors in reaction to the ascetic acid.

Warning

If your gold ring is not real gold the metal will discolor. There is no remedy for changing the discoloration. White vinegar will dissolve all metal after a few days. Do not let your jewelry sit for more than 15 minutes.