Comparing the serial numbers of gold bars against the serial numbers recorded in BullionStar’s bar list,.Checking the physical existence of all gold items held by BullionStar, our storage provider in Singapore,.There are 3 tests that are conducted which include: Our gold is audited by Bureau Veritas, a London Bullion Market Association-approved auditor, every six months. Look at the colour of your gold, as well – real gold is a pure yellow, whereas rose gold and white gold contain other metals to manipulate its colour.Īt HelloGold, you can be assured that our gold is 100% genuine. Jewellery will have lower quantities of gold in it, and might darken over time. If you see signs of discolouration on your gold, it is likely to be fake or plated. The higher the purity of gold, the less likely it is to tarnish. Real gold does not react to other substances and will withstand time, heat and will not rust. A green mark means that your gold is a fake, and if it forms a milky colour, you have gold-over-sterling-silver. Real gold will not react to the acid at all, but a darker gold colour likely means that your gold is genuine, but of lower purity. Then, apply a small drop of nitric acid on the mark. Make a light scratch on your gold, preferably on a hidden area. Should you proceed with this test, you should do so at your own discretion. You can easily find a gold testing kit to use at home, but please take some precautions, such as researching the supplier of your acids and using gloves to perform the test. If your gold has no aesthetic value, you can consider using nitric acid on your gold to test its purity. Simply measure your gold bar or coin and compare your results against these specifications to find out if your gold is real. Counterfeit gold that is exact in weight will be larger in diameter or thickness. Because of its density, gold products are difficult to replicate. Measure the size and weight of your gold.Ī gold bar or coin will be marked with specifications of its weight, diameter, and thickness. If your gold is attracted to the magnet, it is likely to be gold-plated or fake.īe aware that this could simply indicate larger amounts of other metals, such as iron or nickel, compared to gold.ģ. Gold is not magnetic, and so placing your gold next to a strong magnet should not result in any reaction.
In this case, try the other methods listed. Older forms of gold jewellery, for example, may not bear these markings. However, don’t discount your gold entirely if it does not have a hallmark. For a list of accredited refiners, refer to the London Bullion Market. Only purchase gold bars with a recognised hallmark, which guarantees your gold would have been minted by reputable refiners. Gold bars will have large markings with a hallmark and stamps of its weight, purity, refiner and a serial number. If you are unable to find the stamp, check the clasp of a necklace, or inner band of a ring. Alternatively, gold content can be expressed as a decimal. Real gold jewellery will usually have a hallmark stamp that includes its Karat value, which you can find more information on here. As there are many fakes out there, how can you determine that your gold is genuine? This could be in the form of jewellery, or bars and coins. So, you’ve invested in your first gold product.