There are several methods described for testing whether a gold item is authentic or fake. The simplest is the magnet test, where if the gold is attracted to a magnet then it is not real gold. The scratch test involves scratching the gold and observing the color of the streak, with real gold producing a yellow streak. Another is measuring the density by weighing the gold and seeing how much water it displaces, with pure gold having a specific density. A touchstone acid test compares how gold alloys react to acid to determine purity.

1. No Fool’s Gold: Different
Methods to Test Gold
Authenticity
According to Geology.com, gold is the most useful mineral found on earth—it
conducts electricity, can be drawn into wire, melted and made into jewellery, and so much
more. It is a big investment. This precious metal, however, is one of the most imitated
commodities on the market. Authentic gold can be difficult to spot, as it is almost identical to
its fake counterpart; but there are a number of methods to identify whether gold is genuine
or not.
Atkinsons Coins & Bullion
14d Birmingham Road
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
Phone: 0121 355 0620

2. Magnet Test
This method is the simplest and quickest
way to tell if the gold is real or fake. If the item
attracts to magnet, even a little bit, it is not real
gold. Other minerals, such as silver, palladium, and
platinum are also non-ferrous—which means they
are not magnetic. Some pieces of jewellery,
however, have small magnetic parts that make
them attract to magnets.
Scratch Test
The scratch test is an easy way to tell if the
gold is fool’s gold. But doing this method can
damage the precious metal. Unglazed porcelain
tiles, ceramic plates, and glass help determine the
authenticity of the gold. When scratched, the gold
can make a black streak if it is fake, and a golden
yellow if it is real gold.

3. Density Test
This method requires computation—density is the
mass of the item divided by the volume. Pure gold or a
24k gold has a density of 19.32gm/cm^3. The density test
requires a scale to weigh the gold and a graduated
cylinder filled with water. This method measures how
much water gets displaced once the tester places the gold
into it. This is, however, only accurate for pure gold.
Touchstone Acid Test
Jewellers often use the touchstone
test to determine gold purity in jewellery.
This old technique does not damage the
precious mineral. This test compares how
gold alloys react to acid. The purer the gold,
the stronger the acid should be to make the
precious metal react.
People who manufacture fake gold
have started methods to create an almost
real product. Buying gold is a real gamble,
but getting a real one is a huge investment.

4. RESOURCES:
Atkinsons Coin & Bullion - http://atkinsonsbullion.com/
Uses of Gold - http://geology.com/minerals/gold/uses-of-gold.shtml
Touchstone Method for Testing Purity -
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FArticleDet
ail&cid=1363437689977&pagename=GST%2FDispatcher
Is Gold Magnetic? - http://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=378