Gold brings value to any piece of jewelry or coin, but only if it’s real. The precious metals experts from First National Bullion, the best place to buy gold in San Diego, offer the following quick and easy methods to help you determine if your gold is the real thing.

Magnet Test

One simple and easy way to rule out fake gold is by testing it with a strong magnet. Simply take a strong magnet and see if your piece of jewelry sticks to it. Real gold won’t stick to a magnet. If you’re still not convinced your gold is real or fake, it’s time to try the next method.

Acid Test

Rub the gold item on a black stone or a touchstone. Real gold will leave a visible mark. Then test the mark by wiping it with nitric acid. Nitric acid will dissolve a mark left by any item that isn’t gold. Now, if you still have a visible mark on your stone, apply nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. If your mark is dissolved, you have genuine gold. This test can be modified a bit by adjusting the strengths of the acids to determine the fineness of the gold. If you don’t have access to the materials for an acid test, try the next method.

Stamps & Hallmarks

Use a magnifying glass to check the piece for markings. A hallmark or stamp will not only indicate if the item is real gold but will also tell you the purity of the gold in question. If you find a stamp, here’s what it indicates:

• 916 stamp is for 22k gold
• 750 stamp is for 18k gold
• 585 stamp is for 14k gold
• 375 stamp is for 9k gold

The hallmark stamped into the gold piece is a clear indicator of the authenticity of the gold.

Skin Test

There are two ways you can use your skin to determine whether gold is real or fake. The first way is to put liquid foundation on your forehead, then wipe the gold item on your forehead and wait to see if there’s a reaction. If there is, a black line will appear on your forehead, meaning you have real gold. The second skin test needs a person with anemia or an iron deficiency. Take the gold item and run it across the person’s forehead. If a black line appears, the gold is real.

Don’t be fooled by fake gold. Use these simple tests to determine if your gold is real. If you have any further doubts, stop by a local jeweler to confirm you have real gold.

Whether they’re looking to buy or sell palladium bars, gold coins, or silver bullion, San Diego residents trust the reputable dealers at First National Bullion and Coin. You can rely on our experienced professionals when you’re looking to add precious metals to your investment portfolio. Call one of our precious metals experts today at 480-546-8928.

The statements made in this blog are opinions, and past performance is not indicative of future returns. Precious metals, like all investments, carry risk. Precious metals and coins may appreciate, depreciate, or stay the same in cash value depending on a variety of factors. First National Bullion does not guarantee, and its website and employees make no representation, that any metals for sale will appreciate sufficiently to earn the customers a profit. The decision to buy, sell, or borrow precious metals and which precious metals to purchase, borrow, or sell are made at the customer’s sole discretion.