How to Tell If Your Gold Is Real
Before you sell — or buy — it helps to know your gold is gold. Here are the at-home checks, and when to get it tested professionally.
Quick answer
- •Real gold isn't magnetic, doesn't tarnish, and doesn't turn skin green — and usually carries a purity stamp (10K, 14K, 585, 750).
- •At-home checks (hallmark, magnet, skin test) catch obvious fakes but can't confirm purity or rule out plating.
- •For anything valuable or unmarked, get a professional XRF or electronic test — most jewelers and coin shops do it in minutes, without a scratch.
- •Know what you have before you sell; the buyer will test it, and you should already know the answer.
Bottom line: Use the hallmark and magnet tests to catch obvious fakes, but confirm anything valuable with a professional non-destructive test before you sell.
Whether you inherited a box of unmarked jewelry or you're about to sell coins you've held for years, one question comes first: is this actually gold?
You can answer most of it yourself in a few minutes. For the rest — the part that decides real money — there's a simple professional step. Here's the whole toolkit.
Start with the hallmark
Most real gold carries a tiny purity stamp: 10K, 14K, 18K, or a fineness number like 585 (58.5% gold) or 750 (75%). Check clasps, inner bands, and the backs of pendants with a magnifying loupe.
A hallmark is a strong sign — but not proof. Stamps can be faked, and plated items are sometimes marked to look solid. Treat it as evidence, then keep checking.
The magnet test
Gold is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet near the piece (a fridge magnet is too weak — use a rare-earth one). Solid gold won't be drawn to it.
If it snaps to the magnet, it isn't solid gold. One caveat: a clasp, pin, or core made of another metal can cause a weak pull on an otherwise-gold piece, so use this as a screen, not a verdict.
What your skin and time tell you
Real gold doesn't tarnish, rust, or turn your skin green. If a piece is discoloring, leaving marks, or showing a different metal where it's worn, you're likely looking at plating or a low-gold alloy.
Plated jewelry tends to wear through at edges and high-contact spots — clasps, ring backs, watchband links. A worn patch showing grey or silver underneath is a tell.
The acid test (handle with care)
Jewelers have long used acid kits that react differently to different gold purities. They work — but they're mildly destructive (a tiny scratch) and involve handling acid, so they're not ideal for a treasured piece or a nervous hand.
If you go this route, use a proper kit and follow the instructions exactly. For most people, the next option is better.
The professional test — the one that settles it
Any reputable jeweler or coin shop can test your gold in minutes, often for free or a small fee, using an electronic tester or an XRF analyzer. XRF is non-destructive — it reads the exact metal content without a scratch.
This is the step worth taking before you sell anything of value. It tells you the truth, and it means you walk into a sale already knowing what you have.
Know before you sell
Here's the quiet reason this matters: the buyer is going to test your gold. If you don't know what you have, you're negotiating blind — and that's exactly where lowball offers live.
Confirm it first. Then, once you know it's real and know its purity, you can work out its melt value and figure out where to sell it for the most.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if gold is real at home?
Check for a purity hallmark (10K, 14K, 585, 750), test with a strong magnet (real gold isn't magnetic), and watch for tarnish or skin discoloration (real gold causes neither). These catch obvious fakes, but they can't confirm purity or detect gold plating — for that you need a professional test.
Is gold magnetic?
No. Pure gold and standard gold alloys are not magnetic. If a piece is strongly drawn to a magnet, it isn't solid gold — though a weak pull can come from a non-gold clasp or pin on an otherwise-gold item. The magnet test is a quick first screen, not a final verdict.
Does a gold stamp guarantee it's real?
No. A hallmark like 14K or 585 is a strong sign, but stamps can be faked or applied to plated items. Treat the stamp as evidence, not proof — and confirm anything valuable with a professional tester before selling.
Educational only — not financial, tax, or investment advice. Precious-metals prices move and offers vary. Verify all prices and terms with the buyer, and consult a qualified professional before making decisions.