\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The stamp could be very small and hidden, so you will have to look closely and inspect the jewelry item in order to find it. The stamp is a number from 1 to 999 or 0K to 24K depending on what kind of grading system was used. Be careful with this method as you run the risk of damaging your jewelry. By Garry Beck | December 4, 2017. As an example, the notes 10K, 14K, and 18K indicate the type of gold … The fifth component was the year of marking. Fill a bucket or cup with water. If jewelry does not have a stamp, it does not necessarily mean that it is fake, as vintage gold jewelries often do not have stamps on them. However if the mark is black then it is fake. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. Ladies always eye for this yellow metal. This article was co-authored by Kennon Young. If the weight is in ounces, you won’t get an accurate result. Here are the best Methods Step 1: Pour the white vinegar into your glass cup. 4 ways to tell if gold is real wikihow test 5 diy spot fake and avoid. If you are concerned about potential damage, consider taking your jewelry to a professional jeweler. ", "Helped me to tell if gold is real. How to Identify Gold at Home. Jerry Ehrenwald, GG, ASA, is a graduate gemologist in New York City. The markings vary a little depending on where the gold is from. Go through several tests and, if they all come out well, you can rest assured knowing that your item is the real deal. This way to test gold at home is not as reliable as some, but it is a good way to know if gold is real or fake. This test scratches the gold a little bit but doesn’t typically leave much noticeable damage. "I knew about most of the tests, and your article reinforced my knowledge. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Test 2: Sound or “Ping” Testing. Jewelry made with white gold, yellow gold, red gold, and rose gold are all combinations of gold and other metals. The hallmark is often printed on jewelry clasps or the inner bands of rings. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Buy a gold-testing kit from an online jewelry-accessories store. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. it happens for two reasons, either the metal is reactive to your skin, or dirt is building up in the area. Note that this is the second measurement, not the initial one. Keep in mind that most gold items are blends of gold and other metals. Real gold will sink right away. In items that are less than 24K in quality, the other metals give the gold its hardness and color. This article has been viewed 6,177,691 times. You will need to buy a gold testing kit. They start at around $30. And you don’t want to scratch your gold up too much, but you know, the pyrite ore is pretty simply you can scrape on it. Test 5: Silver & Gold Acid Test. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Gold on its own is very soft, so metals like silver and copper are added to make gold items more durable. ", "Many great tips and tests that are easy to understand and perform. The information here has helped me, and it will you as well. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Test-Gold-at-Home-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-Gold-at-Home-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Test-Gold-at-Home-Step-1.jpg\/aid9555148-v4-728px-Test-Gold-at-Home-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"