Simple tests you can do yourself to check whether gold is real.
None of these home tests are as certain as a jeweler’s XRF (X-ray fluorescence) machine, but together they can give you a strong, fast read on whether a piece is likely real gold before you invest more time — or money — in it.
Look for a small hallmark stamped into the metal — 10k, 14k, 18k, 24k, or numbers like 417, 585, 750, 999. It’s not proof by itself (stamps can be faked), but the absence of any stamp on a piece claiming to be solid gold is a warning sign.
Gold is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet near the piece — if it’s noticeably attracted, it’s not solid gold (or is gold-plated over a magnetic base metal like iron or steel). No attraction doesn’t confirm gold, since many fakes use non-magnetic metals too, but a strong pull rules it out.
Gold is dense — much denser than most metals used to fake it. Drop the piece into a glass of water: real gold sinks quickly and directly. If it floats, hovers, or drifts slowly down, it’s likely a lighter alloy or a hollow/plated piece.
Real gold generally doesn’t react with skin. Hold the item against your skin for a while, especially somewhere it might sweat a little — if it leaves a dark or greenish smudge, that usually points to a base metal underneath, not pure gold. This test isn’t fully reliable on its own since skin chemistry varies person to person.
Rub the piece firmly across an unglazed ceramic tile (the rough underside of a tile works well). Real gold leaves a gold-colored streak. A black streak usually means the item is a base metal or a fake.
Acid testing and XRF analysis are more definitive but involve hazardous chemicals or specialized equipment — best left to a jeweler, pawn shop, or refiner rather than attempted at home. If a piece passes the tests above and you’re considering selling it, a professional test also confirms the exact karat, which you can then run through the Gold Calculator for an accurate value.
Sometimes, if the base metal underneath is also dense. The float test is a good first filter but isn't conclusive on its own — combine it with the magnet and streak tests for a stronger read.
Gold testing acid is corrosive and should be handled with care, proper ventilation, and protective equipment. For most people, it's safer and just as fast to have a jeweler test a piece.