How to Distinguish Gold from Fake Using Lemon Juice, Burning, Bleach, and Yogurt
Distinguishing Gold from Fake at Home
Gold is one of the most valuable metals in the world. By purchasing it, you can protect your investments from inflation and grow your wealth in the long term. Before buying gold, you should know how toIdentify Real Golddistinguish it from fake items because some fraudsters may sell fake gold as real and present silver as white gold. In this section ofSelmaDermawe will not teach how to identify gold in a jewelry store, but we will discuss how to identify gold from fake at home using traditional Iranian methods.
Identifying Gold with Lemon Juice
One method for distinguishing gold from fake is using lemon juice. To apply this method, pour some lemon juice into a small container. Place the gold piece in the container and wait about 5 to 10 minutes. If the color does not change or turn black, the piece is gold; if it changes color or blackens, it is a fake metal.
Identifying Gold by Burning
You can use the burning method to identify gold by placing it in front of a flame. If the metal changes color and starts to smoke, it is fake; if the color brightens, it is real gold.
Identify White Gold from Fake Using Yogurt
To identify gold from fake, place the metal piece in a container ofyogurtwithout additives. After five minutes, take the metal out; if it changes color, it is fake; if it remains unchanged, it is likely gold.
Identifying Gold with a Magnet
To distinguish real gold from fake, test its magnetic properties. If the magnet sticks to the jewelry you purchased, it is fake; if it does not stick, it is real gold.
Identify White Gold from Silver
To distinguish white gold from silver, use unglazed ceramic. Silver drawn on unglazed ceramic leaves a gray or black mark, while pure gold leaves a golden mark.
Identify Gold from Fake with Water
To distinguish gold from fake, you can use water. Drop the gold into a container of water; if it sinks, it is real gold, but if it floats, it is fake.
Distinguishing Gold from Fake with Bleach
If you want to identify real gold from fake, drop a very small amount of bleach on a part of the gold. Real gold will turn red, brown, or green. However, if it is fake, it will turn black due to the reaction. Note that this method is not recommended because bleach can corrode gold.
Identifying Gold with Vinegar
To distinguish real gold from fake, place it in a container and pour some vinegar over it. After 5 minutes, if it turns black, it is fake; real gold remainsunchanged in vinegar.Identifying Gold by Color
Real gold does not change color, so if your gold turns black after a while, it is likely made with a gold coating and is not real.
To distinguish gold from fake, hold it under a flashlight or bright lamp. If the color is uniform across all parts, it is real gold; if there are areas with color fading or wear, it is likely gold-plated or coated.
Identifying Gold from Fake with Codes
Make sure the gold has a “code.” Iranian gold is 18 karats and should have the code 18k. The letters “GP” indicate that the jewel is not made of gold; it is only gold-plated. The abbreviation “pt” on platinum jewelry code shows it is platinum. The numbers engraved are essentially the birth document of the gold, indicating its value and the amount of pure gold present.
Gold Product Codes: 375, 500, 583, 585, 750, 916, 958, 999
- Silver Product Codes: 800, 830, 875, 925, 960, 999
- Platinum Product Codes: 850, 900, 950, 999
- Identifying Gold with Lemon Juice