Guide · Testing
How to tell if gold is real
Simple checks you can do at home before you visit a buyer, and what they can and cannot tell you.
Last updated October 2, 2026
Home checks can rule things out. They cannot prove an item is solid gold. Only a professional test, such as an electronic tester or an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine, can do that.
1. Look for a stamp
Use a magnifier to find a karat stamp: 10K, 14K, 18K, or the numbers 417, 585, 750. Stamps like GF, GP, HGE or RGP mean plated or filled, not solid gold. See our hallmark reference.
A stamp is a good sign, not a guarantee. Fakes are stamped too.
2. Try a magnet
Gold is not magnetic. If a strong magnet pulls the piece, it is not solid gold, although a clasp spring may contain steel. If it does not stick, that proves little: many fake metals are not magnetic either.
3. Look at wear spots
Check edges, clasps and the inside of rings. A different colour metal showing through where it rubs suggests plating.
4. Check the weight of coins
Bullion coins have exact weights and sizes. Compare yours with the specifications in our coin and bar reference. A coin that is underweight or the wrong size is a warning sign.
Tests to avoid at home
- Acid test kits can damage your item and are easy to misread.
- Biting, scratching on tiles, or vinegar can damage pieces and do not give reliable answers.
At the buyer’s counter
Ask what test they will use. An XRF test does not damage the item. A scratch-and-acid test leaves a small mark. Ask before they test, and ask to watch.