Gold investment has been a popular option for people in India for centuries. Gold is considered a symbol of wealth, prosperity and good fortune in Indian culture, and it is often given as a gift on festivals and special occasions. Physical gold includes buying gold jewellery, coins and bars. Buyers can purchase these items from banks, jewellery shops and authorised dealers.
However, investors need to be cautious of counterfeit products and ensure that they buy from reputable sellers. To ensure that an authentic and original purchase is made, several procedures have been formulated to check the quality and authenticity of the gold. So, let’s look at some ways to check the purity of gold:
Hallmark
One of the easiest ways to check whether the gold is pure or not is to find a hallmark. A hallmark is a government mark on gold jewellery. It is usually on the back of the jewellery. Customers are advised not to buy jewellery that does not have a hallmark. The basis of the hallmark is the certificate issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Magnet Test
There have been various cases where people have reported that fake hallmark signs are put on gold. Then, there is another way to check the purity, i.e., the magnet test. Pure gold does not have magnetic properties. But all other metals are easily attracted to magnets. If the jewellery is attracted to the magnet, then it is not pure gold.
Float Test
Gold does not float on water. This is because gold atoms stick together, which increases their density. At the same time, if the gold has any other metal mixed with it, it will start floating. So, the float test is also a useful way to check the purity of gold.
Acid Test
The acid test is considered one of the most reliable ways to check the purity of gold. One needs to take hydrochloric acid and nitric acid kit. Apart from that, a huge stone is also needed. After that, rub the gold on the stone and add the acid to it; if there is another metal other than gold, it will easily dissolve in it.
