How to Spot Fake Gold

How to Spot Fake GoldHow to Spot Fake Gold
Easy tests for detecting fake goldEasy tests for detecting fake gold
chains, bars, jewelry and morechains, bars, jewelry and more
Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

Fake Gold ScamsFake Gold Scams
• Fake gold scams are nearly as old as the jewelry
industry itself, so part of the trade is knowing how
to properly authenticate pieces.
– Amateur and underequipped jewelers are at special risk
because they lack the experience and/or advanced
equipment to properly detect fake gold.
• As scammers refine their techniques of deception,
jewelers must continue their training to sharpen
their senses for separating authentic and fake gold
items.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454

Jewelry TestingJewelry Testing
There are many ways to detect fake gold jewelry. Some simple
tests for the jeweler who is out-and-about or otherwise
without much equipment include:
• Magnet test: Real gold is not magnetic and will not be
affected if you pass a magnet over it. As a general rule,
precious metal jewelry is not magnetic.
– Exceptions to the rule exist, but they are rare. There are some
instances where platinum and silver might be magnetized.
• If platinum is alloyed with cobalt, it will be a little magnetic. Cobalt is not a
common alloy for platinum, it’s most often alloyed with rutheniumruthenium or
iridiumiridium.
• Some types of plating on silver can be slightly magnetic as well.

Acid Testing and Hand TestingAcid Testing and Hand Testing
• Stone acid testing or hand testinghand testing: The stone
assay, or hand test, is a staple among jewelers
everywhere.
• When used correctly this is one of the best ways to
test precious metals.
– It must be practiced consistently to be effective when
testing for fake gold.
• Jewelers with the most experience will be able to use the test to
define a wide range of gold percentages or karats (18k, 14k, 10k,
etc).

How to Perform a Hand TestHow to Perform a Hand Test
• The main tool for hand testing is a basalt stone, aka a
touchstone. Gold is soft enough to leave a visible line
when rubbed on the stone.
• Trained jewelers will be able to determine the purity
of a sample by judging the color of this line after it
reacts to nitric acid.
– Different strengths of nitric acid are used to measure
different karat levels. Start with a weak acid and work
your way up to find the karat level of the gold.

Metallurgical AssaysMetallurgical Assays
• While the previous testing techniques are effective,
jewelers that are making large purchases should
always rely on metallurgical assaysmetallurgical assays.
• Assays are an important part of being a jeweler and
are used to analyze the purity of a metal object.
– Not only can assays detect fake gold, but they also provide
an accurate way to measure the value of a piece (based on
its precious metal content).

X-Ray FluorescenceX-Ray Fluorescence
• X-ray fluorescenceX-ray fluorescence: aka XRF. This type of assay is
much more complex than a stone assay. XRF assays
are known for being fast and accurate (within ½
percent generally) and do not damage the metal
being tested.
• During XRF, the outside of a sample is bathed in X-
rays. The metal in the sample then emits light
(fluorescence) at an energy level specific to its
atomic structure. The energy level is measured by
the XRF machine to determine the percentage of
metals in an alloy.

Ultrasound AssayUltrasound Assay
• Ultrasound testingUltrasound testing: A specialized machine sends
an ultrasonic pulse through the gold sample.
• If there are changes in the consistency of the metal
(i.e. changing from pure gold into tungsten), the
frequency of the ultrasonic pulse also changes.
– The ultrasound machine detects any changes in the
ultrasonic pulse and shows whether or not a sample is
really made of solid gold.

Fire AssayFire Assay
• Fire Assay: aka melt testmelt test. A sample of gold is
precisely weighed and lead is added. The sample is
placed in a cupel and put in a furnace, then heated to
2,000 degrees.
• The cupel absorbs the lead leaving only precious
metal behind. The amount of pure material extracted
from the lead is measured against the size of the rest
of the sample being tested to determine its overall
purity.
– There are a few additional steps to determine the pure
metal content, but that is a basic description of a fire
assay.

Assay EquipmentAssay Equipment
X-Ray Fluorescence
Machine
Ultrasonic Testing
Machine
Fire Assay

About MGSAbout MGS
• Manhattan Gold & Silver (MGS) is a precious metals refiner that has been
based in Manhattan’s historic Diamond District since 1985. We are a B2B
company that buys and recycles precious metal scraps that accumulate in
other businesses.
• We serve:
– Jewelers
– Pawnbrokers
– Dentists
– The industrial sector
– Antique dealers
– Machinists
– And more!
• MGS also creates charts, calculators, and other online tools for our
customers to use.
– Try our Precious Metals Prices app, which lets you monitor the real-time precious metals
market situation from anywhere, right from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Recycle your PreciousRecycle your Precious
Metals for ProfitMetals for Profit
• MGS accepts gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
• Payouts are based on the London Fixing.
• Up to 99% payout (among the highest in the US)
– Up to 98.5% for gold brought in for hand testing.
• Not in NYC? Ship us your precious metals using our
Ship & Sell which offers:
– Same day wired payment (once lot is received)
– Discounted, insured shipping
– Payout calculator

Connect with MGSConnect with MGS
• For amazing facts, history and news, read our
gold and precious metals blog.
• Join the conversation about precious metals on the MGS page on
Facebook.
• Follow gold, silver, and other precious metal trends at the MGS
Twitter account.
• Circle MGS on Google+ to hear our latest updates.
• If you do business with us, connect with us on the MGS LinkedIn
page.
• To see precious metal melting and refinement in action, visit the
MGS YouTube channel.

How to Spot Fake Gold

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How to Spot Fake Gold