Gold, silver, and other metals are actually not magnetic. With that being said, certain spoof materials are, in fact, attracted to magnets. This means you can actually conduct a quick test in a matter of seconds to see if the object in question is legitimate.
Neodymium magnets are very strong and can help to test the authenticity of gold and silver bars, coins, bullion, or jewelry. However, it is important to note that this method is not foolproof.
Pure gold on its own cannot stick to a magnet. However, if you have an alloy of gold, then it could stick to a magnet. An example of a gold alloy that may stick to a magnet is gold with over 20% of its atoms replaced by iron. In very cold temperatures this alloy of gold may magnetize all on its own.
Now, pure gold in itself is not magnetic. But since 14k gold is an alloy, it can be magnetic, depending on the other metals used in its composition. For example, if it contains iron or nickel (ferromagnetic metals), then it will be attracted to a magnet.
(Fun fact: Real gold is not magnetic.) Fake gold, on the other hand, will stick to the magnet. If that necklace leaps to the magnet, your significant other has some explaining to do. For more tips like this, click here to pre-order Jeff's new book Rossen To The Rescue.
Scratch test.
If you cut deep enough that you expose underlying metal, you can assume that it is plated. If it appears to be made of a uniform composition throughout, then it is probably solid gold.
Gold and silver are non-magnetic. Placing a strong magnet on a coin and tipping it to watch whether the magnet slides off, as it should, or sticks, like it would to a counterfeit, requires only an inexpensive magnet and a few seconds.
Real sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver; the most common alloy used to harden it is copper, and neither of these metals is magnetic. Often a clasp is made of something different that may be magnetic, but if the chain you describe sticks to a magnet, then sadly it is not “sterling” and should not be marked “.
Pennies and some older coins are magnetic because they contain iron or steel. Dimes, quarters, and most modern coins are not magnetic because they are made of non-magnetic metals. It is also possible for any coin to become magnetized if it is stamped during the manufacturing process.
No, silver is not magnetic. Test your jewelry with a strong magnet. Slowly move the magnet closer. If your piece snaps to the magnet, then it is not true sterling silver.
If your gold is magnetic, then there is iron or nickel inside of it. Pure gold is not attracted to magnetic fields, but if an enormous magnetic field is applied to gold, the gold will slightly move and then slightly repel it.
Hold the magnet to your items
Gold is not magnetic so if the magnet attracts the jewelry, your item does not contain solid gold, silver or platinum.
Test With Nitric Acid
Make a mark deep enough to scratch through the top layer of gold. Carefully apply a drop of nitric acid to the mark, and determine if the mark turns green or milky. There will be no reaction if the jewelry is either gold or mostly gold.
The first test is also the easiest test: try to burn your gold. If it's real gold, it will get brighter as you apply the flame but it won't actually catch fire and burn. If your gold piece starts to smoke or gets darker, you likely have imitation gold.
The answer is yes; you can absolutely pawn gold plated jewellery, but it depends on the base metal. Pawning gold plated jewellery is really only ever worthwhile if the base metal of your item is made of a precious base metal like silver.
Vinegar is very destructive, so when you apply the vinegar to a fake piece of gold, the vinegar will cause the jewelry to tarnish. Gold is a non-reactive metal, so real pieces of gold will not react to vinegar.
Genuine gold will stand up to your attempt to conduct a nitric acid test at home. Make a tiny mark on the piece of gold to penetrate the surface. Drop a small amount of liquid nitric acid on that scratch and wait for a chemical reaction. Fake gold will immediately turn green where the acid is.
Not sure if your gold is real or fake? It's simple: Solid gold never tarnishes, while faux gold—or gold-plated metal—does.