How to Identify Real Gold: Reliable Authenticity Tests

How do I recognize real gold? The reliable authenticity tests. In short: Hallmarks are usually found on the clasp of chains, inside the ring, or on the back of pendants. A magnifying glass helps. Craftsmanship details say more about durability than the price tag. For everyday use, water resistance, the clasp, and workmanship count for more than the price.

Status: September 2026. By Phil Oberlaender, Corelune Jewellery, Düsseldorf.

No hallmark = no proof of solid gold (but not conclusive proof, older jewelry was sometimes not marked).

You have inherited a gold piece, found it at a flea market, or bought it online and are asking yourself: Is that really gold? Recognizing real gold is easier than you think if you know the right methods. This guide explains all authenticity tests, from free home methods to professional checks.

Step 1: Look for the hallmark

Material note: The sections on alloys refer to the market in general. Corelune itself stocks stainless steel with gold or silver plating between €12.95 and €59.95. Free shipping from €59, 14-day returns.

The most reliable first test: look for a metal hallmark. Genuine gold jewelry is [marked] in Germany and the EU. The most important hallmarks:

• 585 = 14-karat gold (58.5% gold content)
• 750 = 18-karat gold (75% gold content)
• 333 = 8-karat gold (33.3% gold content)
• 999 = fine gold (99.9% gold, rarely used as jewelry)

Step 2: The magnet test

Real gold is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet (neodymium magnet, not a fridge magnet) close to the piece:

• No pull: Not proof of authenticity, but a good sign
• Strong pull: The piece contains iron, not real gold

Important: Many cheap pieces are made of brass (not magnetic) and thus they still pass the magnet test; therefore, the test does not completely rule out fakes.

Step 3: The acid test (for experts only)

Gold testing kits with nitric acid are available in specialized stores (approx. €15 to €30). How it works: A small scratch on the piece, a drop of acid. Depending on the reaction, the gold content can be estimated. Real gold barely reacts; fake metal reacts with discoloration or bubbling. Caution: Nitric acid is corrosive, protective gloves and safety goggles are necessary.

Step 4: The density test

Gold is very dense (19.3 g/cm³ for pure gold). A simple water displacement test can determine the approximate gold content: weigh the piece, then hold it in water and measure the water displacement. Use the density formula to estimate the material. Practical but time-consuming, better for bars than for delicate jewelry.

Step 5: The professional goldsmith test

The most reliable of all tests: go to a goldsmith. Professional goldsmith workshops have XRF devices (X-ray fluorescence analysis) that determine the exact alloy composition within seconds and without damage. Costs: Often free or for a few euros. Unbeatably accurate.

Common types of fakes

Which authenticity test works at home?

The magnet test at least rules out iron-containing fakes because gold is not magnetic. Afterwards, looking at the hallmark helps. Both together are an indication, not proof.

How reliable is the hallmark?

A hallmark like 333, 585, or 750 must be present, but it can be faked. Only an examination at a jeweler, for example by acid test or X-ray fluorescence, provides certainty. Both take a few minutes.

What does a professional gold test cost?

Many jewelers and purchasing centers test for free or for a small amount because they hope to buy the piece. Ask beforehand whether they will scratch it, as the acid test leaves a small mark.

• Gold-plated brass: Thin gold layer over brass, hallmark often faked or missing
• Tombac: Copper-zinc alloy in gold color, very convincing visually
• Gold leaf on metal: Very thin gold foil, recognizable under a magnifying glass by the edges

Quality gold from Corelune Jewellery

At Corelune Jewellery, there are clear material specifications for every item, no guesswork, just transparent quality.

Discover quality gold, with certainty!

Also suitable: How do I recognize real gold and Recognizing real gold.

Which chain length sits where?

More context: Is 925 silver real silver?.

How do you keep stainless steel parts looking beautiful for a long time?

The care required for stainless steel is minimal, but not zero, and the right handling makes a difference over the years. Store them dry, dark, and separated from each other, definitely not permanently in the bathroom. Nothing more is necessary, and anything beyond that does more harm than good.

Material, dimensions, and prices at a glance

Showering, swimming, and sports do not affect the stainless steel; it does not tarnish. For reference, the values from the Corelune assortment.

Frequently asked questions

How long should my necklace be?

If you can't decide, 45 cm is the right choice. This length ends at the collarbone for most adults. Measuring can be done with a tape measure around the neck, plus about two centimeters of allowance.

What do I need to consider when layering chains?

Yes, if the lengths are far enough apart. Five centimeters is the practical lower limit.

How do I get a stiff clasp working smoothly again?

In almost all cases, it is dirt, not a defect. Warm water, a drop of dish soap, soft toothbrush, pat dry.

Concrete examples from our assortment: Gold bangle made of stainless steel and Pearl necklace white gold made of stainless steel. You can find more bestsellers in the category the most popular parts.

About the author

Phil Oberlaender manages Corelune Jewellery in Düsseldorf and has been working with stainless steel jewelry daily since 2024: quality checks, complaints, everyday wear tests. The information in this article comes from his own assortment and from customer feedback. Where Corelune does not offer something, it is stated here as such.

Which categories fit this topic?

From the assortment, the following fits:

• Gold jewelry women
• Necklaces women

Two parts bring a 20% discount, five up to 35%. From an order value of 59 euros, shipping costs are waived. Two coordinated pieces result in more wearing options than a single one.

View gold jewelry women at Corelune

At Corelune, the following applies: Free shipping from €59, 14-day returns, shipping from the Netherlands.

→ View gold jewelry women at Corelune