How can you test gold at home?

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This post was sourced from submitted reader questions and posted by wikiHow Editorial Staff, based on our article: How to Test Gold at Home .

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wikiHow Expert
Jerry Ehrenwald
Former President, International Gemological Institute & Graduate Gemologist
03/24/25 10:10am
To test gold at home, see if the gold item sticks to a magnet. If it sticks to the magnet, it may be fake or not 100% gold. Suspicious marks and discolorations around the edges of the item in question can also be telltale signs the gold is fake.

With a magnifying glass, look for a purity hallmark from the manufacturer on the jewelry item. For example, if you own the purest gold, you should see hallmark “999” or “24K” engravings somewhere on the jewelry item. With older jewelry as an exception, typically, if you do not find a mark, it may not be genuine gold.
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