How can you tell if gold is real?
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Here are some at-home techniques you can use to tell if gold is real.
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- Ceramic Test: Drag the gold over unglazed ceramic. Real gold will leave streaks.
- Float Test: Real gold sinks in a glass of water because gold has a high density.
- Vinegar Test: Put a few drops of vinegar on your gold and let it sit for 15 minutes. Real gold will not change color.
- Gold Discoloration: Gold is soft, so over time it can wear away. If you can see other colors in spots where the gold has worn away, this is a sign that your item is gold plated, and not real gold.
- Skin Discoloration: Real gold doesn't react with sweat or oil from your skin. If you see black or green marks on your skin, this means that there are other metals present in your item.
- Magnet Test: Real gold isn't magnetic, so if your item reacts to a strong magnet, it's not pure gold.
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