How do you know gold?

gold inspection

The use of acid and the touchstone of gold

Acid testing is the least expensive way to examine gold, and this is done using a set of tools to perform this examination, which are generally: a gold shovel (a stone used to determine the value of gold), and acid solutions that are used for a different karat, the experts start this examination according to the pattern scratched with a gold piece To be examined leaving a trace on the stone, then scratched again using an original gold piece of the same caliber than the piece.  To examine them, they then apply an acid solution to the scratches and compare the resulting chemical reactions.

Application of X-ray fluorescence technology

One of the most accurate tests to examine gold are devices that work with fluorescent X-ray technology, since these devices, which can cost thousands of dollars, emit X-rays on the piece to be examined, which stimulates the atoms of the material for a short period, which increases its energy, and when it returns to the inactive state, they emit radiation captured by an X-ray fluorescence device, and analyze and, through this analysis, accurately identify the components of the material. material. 

flame test

Metal content, including gold, can be checked by directing a propane or oxygen/propane flame; When a flame (oxy/propane) is directed at white gold, it melts instantly, but more slowly than it melts in a propane flame alone, and can turn black when the flame is removed before the metal melts .  Pure gold, it is heated and turns red, then cools without changing its color, and it is worth noting that if the gold contains a small amount of silver or copper, an oxide layer will appear on its surface.

magnet test

Magnetic inspection can reveal the real from the fake; Because real gold is never attracted to a magnet, unlike fake gold, and it should be noted that this test is easy and convenient to use, since a piece of jewelry may look like gold from the outside, but the magnet reveals its original content

buoyancy test

One of the ways to detect real gold and distinguish it from fake gold is to place the piece of gold to be examined in a cup or container of water. The real one doesn't rust and doesn't change color when wet.

skin test

This test can be done by holding the gold piece in your hand for a few minutes until it sweats, as there is a chemical reaction between the sweat and the gold piece when the gold is not the original, so the color of the Skin turns black or green if the gold is not real, because real gold does not react with  No chemical reactions occur and no color appears.