Published on : 23 April 20203 min reading time
To recognize a gold jewel, you can turn to a jeweler. He will carry out an expertise on the object and tell you whether it is authentic or not. However, this solution can be more or less expensive. So, if you want to save money, you can rely on a few easy methods.
Do a magnetic test and use bleach
If you want to check the authenticity of a gold jewel, you can choose a simple way: make a test with a magnet. To do this, take a magnet and put it near the object to be tested. You’ll immediately see that it’s a fake when the magnet attracts it. It may be a gold-plated piece of jewellery. Genuine gold cannot be attracted to the magnet. But even if your jewelry did not react, start a second test to confirm its authenticity.
To do a second test, you can use bleach. This method is easy to use. Simply place your jewelry in a bleach solution for 24 hours. If there is no oxidation-type change in the object, then it is really gold. Otherwise, it’s a fake.
Do a test with nitric acid
To perform the test, use a stainless steel container. Put your jewelry in it and then pour a few drops of nitric acid into it. You will know that the object is not authentic if a reaction occurs, resulting in a whitish or greenish colour. You now have a gold-plated jewel. On the other hand, it is real gold if there is no coloration or reaction.
When you plan to do this test, be very careful, as it is usually reserved for professionals. If you still decide to do it alone, proceed with great delicacy to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Use a jewellery cleaning cloth or test with a ceramic plate
To recognize a gold jewel, you can also count on a practical solution. It consists of using a specialized cleaning cloth. All you have to do is rub the jewellery with the cloth. If it is fake, you will see after a few rubs that the gold will come off.
If you don’t have this kind of cloth at home, another technique is available. This time you will need a ceramic plate. Put your jewelry on the surface of the ceramic plate. If a black stripe appears, then it is not authentic. If not, the jewel is really made of gold.