Why home tricks like the magnet or float test can't prove gold is real, and the tests that can: hallmark, karat meter and BIS centres.
Videos online show many "easy tests" to find out if gold is real. Most of them can show that something is fake, but none of them can prove that gold is real or tell you its carat. Here is what each common test can and can't do.
Home tests and their limits
| Test | What people say | The truth |
|---|---|---|
| Magnet test | Real gold doesn't stick to a magnet | True, but many fake metals (like brass or copper) don't stick either. It only catches very cheap fakes. |
| Float test | Real gold sinks in water | Almost every metal sinks. Tells you nothing about purity. |
| Bite test | Real gold shows teeth marks | Can damage the item and your teeth. Hardness depends on the carat. |
| Skin test | Fake gold leaves a green mark | Copper in some real gold can also leave marks. Unreliable. |
| Vinegar test | Fake gold changes colour | Only plated items with worn plating may react. Proves nothing about carat. |
Never scratch, burn or put acid on jewellery at home. You can damage it and lose value.
Tests that actually work
1. The BIS hallmark and HUID
This is the first and easiest check. A valid hallmark means the piece was tested by a BIS-recognised centre. Check the HUID on the BIS Care app. Details in our hallmark guide.
2. Karat meter (XRF)
Many jewellery shops have an XRF machine, often called a karat meter. It reads the metals in the item in about a minute without damaging it. It reads the surface, so heavy plating can sometimes affect the result.
3. BIS-recognised hallmarking centres
Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) recognised by BIS test jewellery for members of the public, including old unhallmarked pieces, and give you a test report. BIS lists the fee as ₹200 for up to four items (₹45 per item for five or more). The list of centres is on the BIS website. This is useful if you're unsure about an unmarked piece, want an independent check, or plan to sell.
4. Fire assay
The most accurate method, used by refineries and testing labs. It needs a small sample of the metal to be melted, so it is used for bars and for settling disputes, not for jewellery you want to keep.
Signs that should make you careful
- No hallmark on a new item sold as 22K.
- A price far below the day's rate.
- A seller who doesn't give a proper bill.
- "Gold" sold door-to-door or by strangers, or found "by chance" and offered cheaply. This is a well-known cheating trick.
Key points
- Home tests can catch some fakes but can't confirm purity.
- Rely on the hallmark, a karat meter or a BIS hallmarking centre.
- Buy from registered shops and always take a bill.
"One gram gold" and plated jewellery
Jewellery sold as "one gram gold", "gold-plated" or "gold-covering" has only a thin layer of gold over brass or copper. It looks like gold jewellery but has very little gold value. It is fine for fashion use, but it should be priced as imitation jewellery, never at the gold rate.
If your gold tests lower than the bill
- Go back to the shop with the bill and ask them to test it in front of you.
- If the item has a HUID, check it on the BIS Care app and note what it says.
- Get a test report from a BIS-recognised hallmarking centre.
- If the shop doesn't resolve it, you can complain to BIS through the BIS Care app, and approach the consumer commission with your bill and test report.
This is one more reason to always take a proper bill showing purity and HUID.
This guide is general information for buyers. Rules and tax rates can change; check with your jeweller, bank or a qualified adviser before big decisions.