Is that a sparkly new necklace you just bought, or maybe a vintage ring passed down from your grandmother? There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with holding gold. It’s heavy, it’s shiny, and let’s be honest, it makes us feel a little bit like royalty.
But then, that tiny seed of doubt creeps in. Is this actually real? Did I just pay for 22-karat gold and get 18-karat instead?
You aren't alone. With gold prices soaring, the market is flooded with clever fakes and "gold-plated" imposters that look convincingly real. Knowing how to check gold purity isn't just for professional jewelers anymore; it's a skill every smart buyer needs.
We’ll cover the quick home hacks, the science behind the sparkle, and the definitive charts you need to bookmark. Whether you’re standing in a jewelry store or raiding your kitchen for vinegar to test a bracelet, this guide has your back.
Why Gold Purity Matters (More Than Just the Price Tag)
Before we start scratching ceramics or dropping rings into water, let's talk about why this matters. Purity isn't just about whether your gold is "fake" or "real." It’s about value.
Gold is soft. Like, really soft. If you had a ring made of 100% pure gold (24K), you could probably bend it with your fingers.
That’s why jewelers mix it with other metals like copper, silver, or zinc to make it durable enough to wear. The "purity" is simply the ratio of gold to these other metals.
- Higher Purity (24K): Great for investment bars and coins, but too soft for that engagement ring you wear every day.
- Lower Purity (14K - 18K): Strong, durable, and perfect for diamond settings, but contains less actual gold content.
If you pay for 22K (91.6% gold) but get 18K (75% gold), you are losing a significant chunk of money. That’s why the gold purity check is critical.
Learn the differences between Hallmark, KDM, and 916 gold—read the full guide.
The Gold Purity Chart
You’ve probably seen numbers like "916" or "750" stamped on jewellry and wondered what they mean. These aren't random serial numbers; they are the key to your gold’s DNA. This is often referred to as "fineness."
Here is the ultimate gold purity chart to help you decode those stamps.
| Karat (K) | Gold Purity Percentage | Fineness Mark (Hallmark) | Common Usage |
| 24K | 99.90% | 999 | Investment coins and bars (Too soft for jewelry) |
| 23K | 95.80% | 958 | High-value investment jewelry |
| 22K | 91.60% | 916 | Wedding jewelry, plain gold bands |
| 20K | 83.30% | 833 | Antique jewelry (common in Europe) |
| 18K | 75.00% | 750 | Diamond/Stone-studded jewelry, watches |
| 14K | 58.30% | 585 | Affordable daily-wear jewelry (USA standard) |
| 10K | 41.70% | 417 | Budget jewelry, very durable |
22 Karat Gold Purity Percentage
Since a lot of us buy gold for weddings or traditional festivals, 22-karat gold purity percentage is the most searched topic for a reason. It is the "sweet spot" for jewellry lovers.
When we say 22 karat, we mean that out of 24 parts, 22 parts are pure gold and the remaining 2 parts are alloy metals (like copper, zinc, nickel, or silver).
Mathematically, it looks like this:
22/24 = 0.9166
This is why you see the number 916 on 22K jewellry. It literally stands for 91.6% purity. The added 8.4% of other metals is what gives the jewellry its hardness and prevents it from snapping when you hug someone.
Confused about different types of gold? Read the complete guide now.
How to identify fake gold?
Before you get out the testing tools, use your eyes. The easiest way to spot a fake is to look for the BIS Hallmark. In many countries, including India, hallmarking is the gold standard (pun intended) of trust.
A genuine BIS Hallmark isn't just a single stamp; it’s a system. If you look closely with a magnifying glass (or a loupe, if you want to look fancy), you should see specific components.
Components of a BIS Hallmark
| Component | What It Looks Like | What It Means |
| BIS Logo | A triangle shape | Certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards |
| Purity Grade | "22K916" or "18K750" | Tells you the Karat and Fineness |
| HUID Code | 6-Digit Alphanumeric Code | A unique ID for that specific piece of jewelry |
Don't Ignore the "Skin Test."
Have you ever worn a ring and found a green or black mark on your finger when you took it off? That is a huge red flag.
Pure gold is hypoallergenic and doesn't react with sweat or skin oils. If your jewelry is leaving a mark, it likely has a high amount of copper or nickel, meaning the purity is much lower than claimed, or it’s just a gold-plated base metal.
Which sectors consume the most gold in India? Check out the complete blog.
How to Check Gold Purity at Home (DIY Methods)
Okay, so you have a piece of jewellry without a hallmark, or maybe you just don't trust the stamp. Can you test it in your kitchen? Yes, you can. While these tests aren't as accurate as a lab report, they are fantastic for weeding out obvious fakes.
Here are the most popular methods for how to check gold purity at home.
The Magnet Test
This is probably the easiest trick in the book because it relies on a simple scientific fact: gold is not magnetic. If you have a gold chain that sticks to a magnet, you immediately know something is wrong.
However, you need a magnet stronger than the one on your fridge; something like a heavy-duty latch magnet or a neodymium magnet works best.
To try this, simply hold the magnet close to your gold jewellry. If you feel a magnetic pull, or if the jewellry jumps up and sticks to the magnet, you are unfortunately dealing with a fake.
It likely contains iron, nickel, or steel underneath a gold coating. If it’s real gold, it will sit there and do absolutely nothing, no matter how close you get.
The Water Float Test (Density Check)
Gold is an incredibly dense metal, meaning it packs a lot of weight into a small size. It is actually denser than lead! This test helps you spot lightweight fakes that might look heavy but are actually made of cheaper, lighter metals.
Grab a glass or a bowl and fill it with water. Then, gently drop your gold item into it. Since real gold is heavy, it should sink straight to the bottom immediately with a solid thud.
If you notice the item floating, hovering in the middle of the glass, or sinking very slowly, it’s definitely an imposter made of lighter materials.
The Vinegar Test
It’s time to raid the pantry. Real gold is a "noble metal," which means it’s very stubborn and refuses to react with weak acids like vinegar. Fake gold or gold-plated items, however, often react quickly because the base metal underneath can't handle the acid.
Take a few drops of white vinegar and place them on the gold, preferably in a tiny, inconspicuous spot, just in case. Let it sit there for about 15 minutes.
If you come back and see the metal has changed color (turning black, green, or fizzing), it’s not real gold. If the metal is still bright and shiny after wiping the vinegar off, it’s likely the real deal.
The Ceramic Scratch Test
This method works because gold is relatively soft compared to ceramic. When you drag gold across an unglazed ceramic surface, it leaves a trail of itself behind. But be warned: this test can scratch your jewelry, so only do it if you are okay with a tiny mark!
Find an unglazed ceramic plate or tile; the rough, unpolished ring at the bottom of a coffee mug works perfectly for this.
Gently drag the gold across that rough surface. If you see a gold streak left behind on the ceramic, it’s likely real gold. However, if it leaves a black or grey streak, you are looking at pyrite (fool’s gold) or another common metal.
The Makeup/Foundation Test
This one sounds a bit strange, but many makeup enthusiasts swear by it. The logic is that the abrasive chemicals in certain cosmetics react with pure gold to create a dark streak, whereas plated gold often won't leave the same mark.
Apply some liquid foundation to your forehead or the back of your hand and let it dry completely.
Once it's dry, rub the gold jewelry across that area. If it leaves a black streak on your skin where the makeup was, it is likely real gold. If there is no mark or just a faint gold streak, it might be plated.
The Lighter Test
If you are careful, heat can be a great revealer of truth. Real gold gets hot but doesn't tarnish when exposed to a simple flame.
Fake gold, on the other hand, often contains impurities that will discolor or melt when heated. Note: Do not do this on jewelry with gemstones, as the heat can crack the stones.
Hold the gold piece with a pair of pliers (because metal gets hot fast!) and apply a steady flame from a lighter for about 60 seconds. Real gold will get hot but stay gold.
If you see the metal darken or turn black, or if the outer layer starts melting away to reveal a different metal underneath, it is a fake.
Learn how gold moves from mines to markets; read the full guide.
The Gold Purity Check
If you are dealing with a family heirloom or a high-value investment, the kitchen tests might not be enough. You need precision. This is where professional tools come in.
The Acid Test (The Old School Way)
Jewelers have used this for centuries. It involves scratching the gold on a touchstone and applying nitric acid.
- 18K Acid: If the scratch dissolves, it's less than 18K.
- 22K Acid: If it holds up to 22K acid but dissolves with 24K acid, you’ve found its limit.
- Note: You can buy acid testing kits online, but acids are dangerous. It’s usually better to let a pro handle this.
Gold Purity Testing Machine (XRF Spectrometer)
If you walk into a large jewelry showroom or a bank, you might see a boxy machine that looks like a fancy microwave or scanner. This is an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) machine.
- How it works: It shoots X-rays at the metal and analyzes the energy that bounces back.
- Why it’s great: It gives you an exact breakdown (e.g., "91.6% Gold, 4.4% Copper, 4% Zinc") in seconds without scratching or damaging your jewelry. This is the most accurate nondestructive method available.
Electronic Gold Tester (Karat Meter)
These are smaller, handheld devices often used by pawn shops or gold buyers. They use a gel and a probe to test the electrical conductivity of the metal.
Since gold conducts electricity differently than copper or zinc, the machine can calculate the karat value instantly.
Buying gold? Learn gold measurement units before you purchase.
Which Gold Should You Buy? A Quick Guide
Now that you know how to check it, how do you decide what to buy? The "best" purity depends entirely on your lifestyle.
| If you want... | Go for... |
| Daily Wear Rings | 14K or 18K |
| Wedding Necklaces | 22K |
| Investment | 24K |
| Gemstone Jewelry | 18K |
Tired of worrying about fake gold? With the Jar App, you can automatically save in 24K pure Digital Gold (99.9%). It’s insured, secure, and 100% real.
Checking gold purity doesn't have to be a mystery. Whether you are using a simple magnet test at home or asking a jeweler to run it through a gold purity testing machine, you now have the knowledge to buy with confidence.
Remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always insist on a bill with the BIS Hallmark details and the HUID code.
Your gold is an investment; make sure it’s as real as the money you paid for it!
FAQ
Can I check gold purity with lemon juice?
Lemon juice is acidic, similar to vinegar. While it can tarnish fake gold over time, it’s not as strong or immediate as nitric acid. It’s a weak test, but it can work for very poor-quality fakes.
Does old gold tarnish?
Pure gold (24K) never tarnishes. However, 22K or 18K gold can slightly darken over many years because the other metals in the mix (copper/silver) react with oxygen. A quick polish usually fixes this. If your gold turns black in a week, it’s fake.
Is 916 gold the same as 22K?
Yes! 916 is just the percentage (91.6%) expressed as a number. It is the standard mark for 22 karat gold.
What is KDM gold?
You might hear older relatives talk about "KDM." This was an old soldering method using cadmium (hence KDM) to join gold pieces. It’s now banned in many places because cadmium is toxic and reduces purity. Always prefer hallmarked gold over KDM.
