Real or Fake? How to Check Gold Purity Quickly & Safely

Gold is one of the most valuable and cherished metals around the world. Whether you're buying jewellery, investing, or checking old ornaments, knowing easy ways to Check Gold Purity is essential. Understanding purity not only protects you from fraud but also ensures that your purchase holds its true value.

In this post, we’ll walk through everything, from simple home tests to advanced professional methods, while helping you choose high-quality, trusted jewellery like KYMEE’s 18K Gold Vermeil Jewellery for women, known for its exceptional purity and craftsmanship.

Understanding What Gold Purity Means

Gold purity refers to how much real gold is present in an item compared to other metals. Pure gold is soft and usually mixed with alloys to improve strength and durability.

Why Gold Purity Matters

• Ensures you're paying the right price
• Helps identify fake or low-quality gold
• Important for long-term investment value
• Determines durability and colour

Common Gold Purity Measurements

Karats (K) Explained

Karats represent the percentage of gold present.

Karat	Purity	Gold Percentage
24K	Pure gold	99.9%
22K	High purity	91.6%
18K	Balanced purity	75%
14K	Durable	58.5%

Hallmarking Standards

Hallmarks are official stamps indicating gold purity and authenticity, such as:

• BIS (India)
• 750 (18K)
• 916 (22K)
• 999 (24K)

Always look for these marks before purchasing gold.

How to Check Gold Purity at Home

1. The Magnet Test

Gold is non-magnetic.
If your jewellery gets attracted to a magnet, it’s likely not real gold.

2. Water Density Test

• Drop the jewellery in water
• Pure gold sinks immediately due to its high density

3. Ceramic Scratch Test

Scratch the gold gently on unglazed ceramic.

• A gold streak = authentic
• A black streak = fake or alloy

4. Vinegar Test

Apply a few drops of vinegar.

• Real gold won’t change colour
• Fake gold will tarnish or darken

How Professionals Check Gold Purity

Acid Test (Touchstone Test)

How it works:

• A stone (usually black basalt) is rubbed with the gold item, leaving a streak.
• Different strengths of nitric and hydrochloric acid solutions (for various karats) are applied to observe reactions.
• If the streak dissolves under a certain acid, the gold is lower than that karat.

Pros:

• Quick and inexpensive
• Widely used in pawn shops and jewellers

Cons:

• Slightly destructive
• Requires expertise to interpret results
• Less accurate than modern methods

Electronic Gold Testers

How they work:

• Use electrical conductivity or resistance to estimate karat.
• The device probes the metal, and based on conductivity, it determines purity.

Pros:

• Fast, non-destructive
• More accurate than the acid test

Cons:

• Can be affected by plating or alloy composition
• Not as accurate as XRF

XRF Testing (X-Ray Fluorescence)

This is the most common professional and industrial method today.

How it works:

• The machine emits X-rays onto the gold surface.
• The gold atoms fluoresce (emit secondary X-rays).
• The device analyses this fluorescence to determine the exact metal composition.

Pros:

• Non-destructive
• Extremely accurate (up to 0.01%)
• Produces a complete alloy breakdown (gold, silver, copper, zinc, etc.)

Cons:

• Cannot detect deep layers, only surface composition
• Very expensive equipment

Fire Assay (Cupellation)

This is the gold standard for accuracy and is used in refineries.

How it works:

• A small sample is melted in a furnace with lead.
• Base metals fuse with the lead; gold and silver remain.
• Further processes separate silver from gold (parting).
• Final weight gives exact gold purity.

Pros:

• Most accurate method in the world
• Used for certification, hallmarking, and refining

Cons:

• Destructive
• Time-consuming (hours)
• Requires skilled technicians

Density Test (Specific Gravity Test)

How it works:

• Uses Archimedes' principle: weight in air vs. water displacement.
• Gold’s high density (~19.3 g/cm³) helps identify purity.

Pros:

• Useful for items suspected to be hollow or plated

Cons:

• Requires precise measurement
• Not effective for complex jewellery

Which Method Do Professionals Use Most?

• Jewellers & Pawn Shops: Acid test, electronic tester, handheld XRF
• Refineries & Assay Labs: Fire assay, advanced XRF
• Buyers checking resale gold: XRF + acid for confirmation

Hallmarking Guide: Understanding Stamps & Markings

18K, 22K, 24K Stamps

Common markings include:

• "750" for 18K
• "916" for 22K
• "999" for 24K

Vermeil, Gold-Plated & Gold-Filled Differences

Type	Description	Durability
Vermeil	925 Sterling silver base with a thick gold layer	★★★★★
Gold-plated	Thin gold layer	★★☆☆☆
Gold-filled	Mechanical bonding of gold	★★★★☆

This brings us to our recommended brand…

Why KYMEE’s 18K Gold Vermeil Jewellery is a Trusted Choice for Women

KYMEE is quickly becoming a favourite among women who love luxurious, long-lasting, and hypoallergenic jewellery.

Premium Thick Gold Layer

KYMEE uses 18K Gold Vermeil, which includes:

• A 925 sterling silver base
• A thick 2.5 microns of genuine 18K gold
  This ensures richer colour and outstanding durability.

Hypoallergenic & Skin-Safe

Perfect for sensitive skin.
No tarnishing, no irritation, just long-lasting shine.

How KYMEE Ensures Purity

Every piece undergoes strict quality checks and uses certified materials, making their jewellery a reliable choice compared to typical gold-plated pieces.

If you're looking for stylish, everyday-wear jewellery that won’t fade due to a lifetime plating warranty, KYMEE’s collection is worth exploring.

Tips to Avoid Fake Gold

Buy From Trusted Stores

Choose sellers with transparent policies and hallmark-certified products.

Ask for Certification

Whenever possible, request:

• Authenticity certificates
• Hallmark verification
• Warranty information

Conclusion

Understanding different ways to Check Gold Purity helps you make confident, informed decisions when buying gold or jewellery. From home tests to professional tools, the right methods ensure you always get the authenticity you deserve.

If you want beautiful, long-lasting jewellery with trustworthy quality, KYMEE’s 18K Gold Vermeil Jewellery for women is an excellent choice, offering elegance, purity, and durability in every piece.

FAQs

1. What is the easiest way to check gold purity at home?

The magnet test and vinegar test are quick and safe.

2. Does real gold tarnish?

Pure gold doesn’t tarnish, but lower karats may because of alloy metals.

3. Is 18K gold good for daily wear?

Yes. It offers a balance of purity and durability, like KYMEE’s gold vermeil jewellery.

4. What’s better: 18K or 22K gold?

For jewellery, 18K is stronger.
22K is softer but has higher purity.

5. How accurate are electronic gold testers?

They are reliable but not as precise as fire assay methods.

6. Is gold vermeil considered real gold?

Yes, vermeil contains a thick layer of real gold, making it more durable than standard gold plating.

7. How do you test gold purity at home?
Use easy tests like a magnet test, ceramic scratch test, density test (float test), or acid kit.

8. What is the best method of gold testing?
A professional XRF machine test or fire assay gives the most accurate results.

9. How can you check your gold purity on mobile?
Use the BIS Care (India) or other official hallmark-verification apps to scan the hallmark number.

10. How to test gold at home with toothpaste?
Rub a small amount on gold, real gold won’t change colour, fake or plated gold may darken.

11. What does fake gold look like after the test?
It may show discolouration, scratches revealing another metal, or black/green marks.

12. How to check gold purity while buying at a shop?
Look for hallmark (BIS/karat mark), ask for purity certificate, and check weight + price breakdown.

13. How to check the gold purity hallmark?
Verify the hallmark symbols:

• Purity (e.g., 22K, 916)
• Hallmarking centre number
• Jeweller’s ID
  Scan/verify using an official app if available.

14. How to check gold purity while buying online?
Buy only from trusted sellers, ensure hallmark certification in product details, and check return policy + authentication guarantee.