7 Ways to Tell If the Gold You’re Purchasing Is Real

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7 Ways to Tell If the Gold You’re Purchasing Is Real

DUBAI GOLD | 25 May 2025

One of the most precious and sought-after commodities in the world is gold. Gold jewellery Dubai can be made to look more valuable by making it seem like it has gold, even if it doesn’t. If you own a priceless heirloom or piece of gold, you might want to know how to identify genuine gold to prevent counterfeit imitations. Dubai gold jewellery designs reflect cultural richness and contemporary fashion trends. This is particularly true if you want to purchase such a product. Here are a few techniques to determine whether the gold you currently own or are considering purchasing is genuine.

Look for a Hallmark

Looking for a hallmark is the greatest way to determine whether the gold you are buying is authentic. This little stamp represents the carat weight of the gold. Measurements vary depending on the area. In Dubai, the hallmark number takes the form of a fractional 24. Accordingly, a 12K, or  carat, hallmark indicates that half of the item is made of gold. 24K is pure gold. A number in Europe should be between .000 and 1.000, where 1.000 represents 100% gold, or pure gold. 22k gold jewellery Dubai is highly sought after for its brilliance, quality, and long-term value.

Bridal gold sets in Dubai may not contain genuine gold if the hallmark is missing. There are alternative explanations, though. If the item is in frequent touch with skin, it’s conceivable that the trademark has faded with time. Additionally, if the jewelry is ancient, it might be genuine gold, but its manufacture predates the common practice of hallmarking. Gold bangles Dubai come in intricate patterns and are perfect for weddings or daily wear.

Look for a Letter Mark

If the jewelry is stamped with the initials GP, GF, or GEP, it is not genuine gold. Gold plating is denoted by GP, gold filling by GF, and gold electroplating by GEP. Gold rings Dubai have a thin coating of gold on top of another metal. This gold plating may be real, but the piece doesn’t have enough gold to be real. White gold jewellery Dubai offers a sleek, modern alternative to yellow gold, loved for its sophistication.

Test With Nitric Acid

Search for a spot on the jewelry where you may create a little scratch, such as the inside of a ring or beneath a clasp. Make a mark that is deep enough to pierce the gold’s outermost layer. Apply a drop of nitric acid to the mark carefully, and see whether it becomes milky or green. If the jewelry is entirely or primarily made of gold, there won’t be any reaction. 

Because nitric acid is a hazardous substance, you should handle it with extreme caution. Make sure the room has adequate ventilation and put on goggles and gloves. You might not want to do this test on jewelry that holds a lot of personal significance because of the possible harm it could cause. If nothing else, think about having a qualified jeweler do the exam for you.

Test the Item’s Density

Gold has a density of around 19.3 grams per milliliter (g/mL). Pure gold chains Dubai contain more actual gold if their density is closer to this number. A gram scale and a milliliter-marked container large enough to accommodate the item with excess space are required to determine the density of your gold object.

Determine the item’s weight in grams by weighing it. After that, set your container on a level surface and fill it halfway with water. Note the container’s level of filling in milliliters. To avoid water splashing over the edges, carefully lower your object into the container. Note the updated water level. Then, to determine how many milliliters of water your item displaced, subtract the first measurement from the second. This equation provides you with the volume of the object.

Divide the volume of your gold object by its weight to determine its density. For instance, the density of your object will be 40 / 2.2, or 18.18 g/mL, if it weighs 40 grams and has a capacity of 2.2 milliliters. Given that gold has a density of 19.3 g/mL, it is likely that the majority of your item is genuine gold. Naturally, the weight of other metals is comparable to that of gold; thus, this test is a useful guide but not infallible. 

Test Against a Ceramic Tile

Although your gold item will be scratched throughout this test, you should be able to obtain results with little harm. Locate or buy a ceramic tile that is not glazed. Tile glaze impacts the outcome; thus, it must be unglazed. Rub your object gently on the tile until pieces of gold begin to flake off. Your object is probably genuine gold if it leaves a gold streak. The gold is phony if it has a black mark on it.

Drop the Item in Water

Add enough water to a container that is at least halfway full so that it covers your gold object and leaves some extra water. Drop your gold object into the water gently. If your gold object floats, you know it isn’t genuine gold since real gold is a heavy metal that won’t float. If the item tarnishes or rusts after being in water, it isn’t real gold, as gold doesn’t rust or tarnish. You might not want to use a precious item for this experiment because of the possibility of tarnishing it.

Use a Strong Magnet

You can try using a magnet to determine if it attracts the jewelry, since gold is not magnetic. The majority of kitchen magnets are not strong enough; therefore, you might need to get one from a hardware shop. If you mix the gold with a magnetic substance, such as iron, be aware that the jewelry may react. Additionally, the jewelry could be mostly composed of non-magnetic stainless steel. Gold shops in Dubai feature both traditional and modern designs to suit every taste.

IN DUBAI, SELL YOUR GOLD FOR CASH

In Dubai, sell your gold for cash. Gold earrings Dubai combine tradition and trend, suitable for every outfit and event. Although these tests can help you determine if your item is real or fake gold, a professional appraisal is the only surefire method to tell. Buy gold in Dubai to enjoy competitive prices and a wide variety of stunning pieces. Check out Goldy Jewellery if you’re in the market for an appraiser. Dubai gold market is famous for its purity, pricing transparency, and endless design options. We can provide a prompt evaluation and make you an immediate cash buy since we have over 100 years of combined experience.