There are times in life when you need to quickly find out whether you have a precious metal in front of you or not? Of course, it is better to turn to professionals. But if this is not possible, there are several methods.
Necessary
- - strong magnet,
- - a piece of chalk,
- - Sulfuric ointment,
- - ceramic tile,
- - iodine solution,
- - a piece of white bread,
- - file.
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a strong magnet with you if you go to the turkey, Chinese or Indian bazaars for cheap jewelry. To avoid being foisted on an elementary fake, check the thing with a magnet. Neither gold nor silver will react. But an iron-based Belgian alloy is a must.
Most gold alloys are based on copper, which oxidizes easily. Therefore, rub the decoration with a cloth dipped in vinegar. If the product darkens, then it is a fake. If it does not change color, it is most likely gold. A similar result can be obtained with iodine. By the way, iodine is a good indicator for silver as well. On the contrary, real silver turns black the faster, the more it is in the product. Be careful - this trail is difficult to wash off!
Rub the silver jewelry gently with chalk. Chalk should turn black on contact with silver. This happens quite quickly, so the method can be applied almost anywhere. Another quick way to spot real gold. Rub the product over your hand for a minute. Both the hand and the metal should be warm. If you have a dark blue mark on your skin, this is a fake.
Step 2
If you are researching a precious metal item at home, then you have a few more options. Put the gold on a piece of white bread. Gold will remain in its original form, and any alloy will be stained in four hours. Apply a little sulfur ointment from the pharmacy to the silver piece and wait a couple of hours. Silver will blacken, alloys will either turn reddish or not discolor.
It often happens that a layer of gilding or silvering is applied to a cheap alloy. To solve this problem, scratch your product with a file. A scratch of the same color will remain on a quality item. And on the fake, another metal will be visible.
Another mechanical method for testing gold is using unfired ceramic tiles. Run the gold piece over the unglazed back. If a trace of gold remains, gold is of the correct standard. If a black or gray mark remains, then you have a fake in your hands.
Step 3
Another group of methods uses your senses. Use the sense of touch: a quality piece should be absolutely smooth. Plus, gold is a heavy metal and you can feel it with your hand. Drop the gold ring edge-to-edge onto any hard surface. You should hear a specific pleasant ringing.
Do not neglect the inspection of samples. On a high-quality product, it is clearly visible, it is easy to make out the number and brand of the manufacturer. The sample should stand very evenly, parallel to the edges of the product part. If you see blurry lines and cannot make out the inscription, most likely you have a fake in your hands.
The last measure is to seek a verdict from a specialist or conduct a chemical analysis.
