How do you know real gold?

Ways to know real gold

Gold metal is one of the metals that is called tar before it is manufactured. This metal is found in many natural places such as mountains, rivers, or in the ground. There are many mines that specialize in extracting it from the ground. Gold is famous for being a soft, precious metal, and its density is high. A distinctive yellow color. This metal is extracted in the form of small blocks or grains. Sometimes the extracted gold is pure, but most of the time it is a mixture of gold and some other metals such as copper. In this article, we will present: How do you distinguish gold from other metals? How do you know original gold from adulterated gold?

Screening using sensory tests

This method enables the quality of gold to be examined without resorting to the use of other materials. The examination methods are:

• Weight: Gold has a specific density and weight, so if you want to examine the material and whether it is gold or not, you can hold a gold piece equivalent to the size of the piece to be examined. When each of the pieces is placed in one hand, it can be seen whether their weight is equal or not, and if the weight differs and it is If the piece to be examined is lighter in weight, this is evidence that it is not gold, but at the present time this is not a practical method due to fraud and manipulation to make the weight of the piece to be examined equal to the weight of the piece of gold.
• Hallmarking: Since ancient times, gold has been stamped with a stamp bearing the name of its maker, and sometimes the gold has a specific stamp on it. This hallmark distinguishes gold, so the caliber and type of gold are written on it. In this way, the original gold is distinguished from other gold. It also makes it easier to know the price of the commodity, but one of the disadvantages of hallmarking is It does not last in old gold, especially twenty-four carat gold. This gold is soft, and with repeated use, this hallmark may disappear, and it is difficult to determine its type and quality.
• Biting: One of the funny ways to examine gold is biting a piece of gold. Many people may be surprised by this method, but it works. Gold is a metal that can be malleable and ductile because it is soft enough. However, one of the disadvantages of this method is that 24-karat and 22-karat gold may be damaged and teeth marks remain on it, which It distorts the appearance of gold, and it is not preferable to use this method for gold manufactured in the form of jewelry. There are also cases of commercial fraud that may be difficult to detect with this method because the other metal is covered with a thick layer of gold.
• Visual inspection: This method of inspecting gold is suitable when inspecting gold chains and pendants only. The idea of ​​this method is to inspect the links between the gold. If the links are open, even by a small percentage, this is evidence of the lack of purity of the gold. The jeweler is keen on his reputation in the market and is proficient in making gold. He rules the links in jewelry because he deals with one of the precious and expensive metals.
• Smell: One of the old methods used to examine gold is to rub the gold piece with the hand when it has some sweat on it, and then smell the smell of the hand. If the smell of acid appears, this is clear evidence that the gold is adulterated, and may only be plated with gold.

Gold screening by materials

Gold can be examined by using some materials, which are:

• Ceramic: The quality of gold can be checked by using a piece of ceramic, which is one of the materials available in every home. The simplest example is glass. The gold is rubbed with a piece of ceramic and then the type of gold is noted, whether it is original or not. This method is similar to the method of biting gold, and one of its disadvantages is that it leaves traces. On gold.
• Acid or vinegar: Gold is characterized by its high density, which makes it not react with oxygen or various acids. A little acid or vinegar can be put on the gold, and if a reaction is observed between them, this indicates that the gold is adulterated.
• Magnets: One of the easy and simple ways to examine gold. Gold is a metal that is not affected or attracted to magnets, so a magnetic piece can be brought close to the gold. If it is affected and attracted to the magnet, this means that the gold is imitation.