How to know if it is gold: find out how to identify the jewelry

The quickest and easiest way to check if a piece is really gold is to take a light bite of it. This is because when a piece is made of gold, it is marked with your teeth, confirming that it is pure material, but if you don’t want to bite your jewelry, check out this post for more tips on how to definitively find out if your piece is real.

This idea of ​​biting gold arose in the Olympics, when athletes win the gold medal they dreamed of, they bite it, proving in fact that it is the material they so desire. You’ve certainly seen emblematic photos of athletes biting gold medals, haven’t you?

Continue the post and find out more to confirm whether your jewelry is really from gold. By the end of reading you will be able to analyze this aspect very easily!

What are the classifications of gold?

The first thing before checking if your piece is gold, it is important to understand the classification. Today, the most commonly seen gold variations on the market are 10k, 14k, 18k and 24k.

10k: although the amount of gold is low, pieces with this amount are already considered gold;
14k: it is very common in accessories, in these pieces 14 parts of their composition are gold;
18k: it is the most used in the jewelry industry, it is highly durable and is made up of 18 parts of gold;
24k: it is gold in its pure form, but because it is very malleable it is not commonly used in the production of jewelry.

Also check out: how to combine gold and silver

How do you know if the jewelry is gold?

Now that you know the classifications of gold, you’re ready to check if your piece is actually gold. See the list below with some tips:

Examine the part: The crest on a gold piece is the best way to identify it. Most jewelry made with this material carries a letter describing the content used in the piece. Other points to observe are the characteristics of the piece, such as structure, production quality and finishing.
Magnet Test: The most famous test is the magnet test. Gold is a non-magnetic metal and is not attracted to magnets, so when the piece is brought close to the magnet and some type of attraction occurs, it means that your jewelry is not made of gold or may contain other metals. For this test, the magnet used needs to be stronger.
Ceramics: This test is very simple and accessible, but extra care is needed as the part can be damaged. On a plate made of white ceramic, gently rub the jewelry, if the ceramic is marked by a black streak it means that the jewelry is not gold, if it is a golden scratch, your piece is gold.
Vinegar: Despite being little talked about, the vinegar test is an easily accessible and efficient alternative. However, there is a great risk of ruining your piece, so avoid it if you are a person with a lot of sentimental value. The test consists of cleaning the piece well and applying 3 drops of vinegar to it. If the piece has no color reaction, it is gold, but if it changes color, it is certainly not gold.
Take it to a jewelry store: To avoid damaging your pieces by testing them at home, the best alternative is to take them to a jewelry store, where the professional will carry out an assessment without damaging your piece.

Well, now that you know how to tell if a piece is gold, understand more about the types of gold and their compositions! Remembering that all pieces sold at have a guarantee regarding their raw materials, that is, our gold and silver are noble metals.