7 Ways to Check Real vs Fake Gold by Yourself Without Visiting a Shop

As gold prices have surged due to wartime conditions, "fake gold" and "gold with hidden cores" have also become rampant. Some are so skillfully made that they cannot be identified by the naked eye. We have gathered seven of the most accurate methods to check real gold, ranging from observing small details to tests that do not reduce the gold’s value.

7 Professional Ways to Check Real vs Fake Gold

1. Observe the "stamp" and "purity" marks

Standard real gold certified by the Gold Traders Association (96.5%) usually bears the store’s stamp (logo) or purity mark at various points such as joints, clasps, or inside the setting.

• Look for sharp, clear marks without blurring. If there is no stamp at all, assume it might be fake gold.

2. Check the "weight" accurately

Gold has a fixed standard weight; although shapes may vary, the weight must conform to the association’s criteria.

• 1 Salung (quarter-baht gold): weight 3.79 - 3.81 grams
• 1 Baht gold: weight 15.16 - 15.24 grams

Gold shops use scales with two decimal places. If the weight is significantly off, be cautious immediately.

3. Use a "magnet" test

Pure gold does not respond to magnetic attraction.

• Method: Bring a strong magnet close to the gold. If it sticks, the gold definitely contains inserted iron or other metals inside.

4. Look at the "joints" or "scratches"

Real gold is soft and over time may show some wear.

• Check areas subject to frequent friction, such as clasps. If the inner color shows silver, red, or black, it indicates plated or fake gold, because real gold is "yellow inside and out."

5. "Drop" test on glass

Gold is dense and soft.

• Method: Drop the gold from a short height onto a glass surface.
• Result: Real gold makes a dull "thud" sound, not ringing. Fake gold containing iron or copper produces a sharp, ringing "clang."

6. Bite test

An old but effective method, as real gold is soft.

• Method: Bite the gold lightly.
• Result: Real gold will show clear teeth marks. If it’s hard with no marks, it is likely a metal plated with gold.

7. The most reliable: "fire test"

This method is recommended to be done by experts because it requires high heat.

• Result: Real gold heated to red-hot and cooled retains its bright yellow-gold color. Fake gold will turn dark or green immediately.

Basic checks can give some peace of mind, but scams now involve "gold filled with tungsten powder," which is not attracted by magnets and has a similar weight. The safest way is to "buy and sell only with reputable shops certified by the Gold Traders Association."

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