How to Tell Real Gold from Fake

You can uncover a treasure at yard sales and flea markets if you know how to tell real gold from fake. Follow these tips to learn how to find your pot of gold.

Step 1: Bite the gold
Bite down onto a gold coin or jewelry piece. Fake gold will not dent at all on a bite test. Real gold will, but so will some newer methods of gold plating.

Tip
Store gold jewelry separate from jewelry with diamonds, or the diamonds might scratch the gold. Wrap gold in tissue paper or store it in a separate jewelry box.

Step 2: Look for a stamp or other marking
Examine the surface of the gold item to see if you can find a stamp or other marking that indicates a carat value. American-made gold items will have this type of mark, but items from other countries may not.

Step 3: Examine the surface of the item
Examine the surface of the gold item, looking carefully for any green or black spots that may be visible. These markings indicate fake gold.

Tip
Pay particular attention to edges and clasps when examining the surface of the gold, as this is often where the discoloration appears.

Step 4: Feel the weight of the gold item
Hold the gold item in your hand, and pay attention to the weight. Real gold is very dense and heavy, but fake gold will feel lighter.

Step 5: Consult with an expert
Consult with a jeweler or metal exchange expert to confirm the authenticity of your gold item. They can also help you determine a value for your new find and help you know whether you did indeed find real gold.

Did You Know?
In 1848, James Marshall found a few flakes of gold at Sutter's Mill in California. During the next seven years, nearly 300,000 people traveled to California to seek their treasure and look for gold.

[lowbridge]

All I need is a jeweler or metal exchange expert? No problem. I always carry one around in my pocket.

[WattsReacts]

Howcast be like "How to tell if it's a cat. Meow at it. If it meows back, it's probably a cat."

[NikColyerMachineWorks]

As a Jeweler for 40 years I know that you can not do the bite test on14K which is what most rings and pendants are made of. The alloys are too hard.
To find gold in a river you must dig to the base rock of the river to find the gold. Skimming along the top only nets you sand and fools gold. It's really why I call gold digging "moving rock".

[WattsReacts]

Howcast be like: "How to be a famous singer" "You will need: A hit song, a major record deal and a $9, 000 microphone."

[jazevox]

what are you suppose to say or ask when you go to a YARD SALE or FLEA MARKET... Can i BITE THIS THING? lol

[optophobe]

On a bite test only high gold content items will dent, and that may devalue the object.  Most jewelry gold is an alloy (especially rings) specifically for durability therefore a bite test may prove nothing.  Use a magnet, and use a strong magnifier to look for any discoloration as stated in the video (there should be none).

[marcushendriksen]

Imagine having a yard sale and seeing some weirdo gnawing on one of your old necklaces 🤣

[Vladimir_]

Just bit my gold coin and chipped my tooth thanks for the tip my friend

[marcuscarana]

This feels like a parody but the fact that it isn't and it is supposed to be taken seriously makes it even funnier.

[ChibiTails]

1:26 Did you SERIOUSLY have to greenscreen that?

[rtgoxlv]

this is your advice? going to an expert? oooohhh thank you so much couldnt discover it by miself.

[Jlly_jackson]

pyrite is fake gold. but you can tell the difference between pyrite and real gold by using a piece of unglazed pottery aka a streak plate. scratch it against the streak plate not to hard but a medium about of pressure. gold's streak color would be yellow while pyrite's streak color will be a greenish dark color.

[SpartanFS]

How am I supposed to explain to the owner of the gold at a flee market why I'm eating his gold?

[jazevox]

if im selling fashion jewelries at yard sale or flea market and someone started BITING it, its considered SOLD

[Renasai]

How to tell real gold from fake
You will need:
*A jeweler or metal exchange expert*

Lol

[MrPillowStudios]

Also, *NEVER* ever even think about buying it from Wish.

[markwatch]

People use to bite gold to check it was not a softer metal like lead covered in gold plate. So if it dented too much it was not gold.

[gotstrpk]

It doesn't matter if you're planning on selling it they will just melt it down anyways. Biting it doesn't affect weight.

[BraveHeart-]

Simple test at home... use a women's blush makeup
...using the brush to apply just a little to your forearm or back of your hand... then rub some gold over the blush on your forearm or hand...if you see black lines or marks where you rubbed the gold..then it's real... if you see no black marks or streaks then it's fake... simple home test... you're welcome👍 idk wth these people talking bout..

[cleanrott]

I can't believe my grandma brought a golden cross for me