How Do I Know My Gold Is Genuine

 

It is a question that comes up more often than most people expect. You may have inherited jewellery from a relative, received a gift whose quality you have never confirmed, or simply have older pieces whose hallmark has worn away. Before you sell gold for cash in Kolkata, or even before you decide whether to hold onto it, knowing whether your gold is genuine and what purity it actually is makes a significant difference to what it is worth.

What Genuine Gold Means in Practical Terms

Pure gold, rated at 24 karats, does not tarnish, rust, or react with most chemicals. It is dense, soft, and has a deep, consistent yellow colour throughout the piece, not just on the surface. Most jewellery is not 24 karat, because pure gold is too soft for everyday wear, but the gold content in any legitimate piece should be consistent through the metal, not a surface coating over a base metal.

Gold-plated and gold-filled jewellery contain very little actual gold and have minimal value as a gold-selling asset. Gold-plated items have a thin layer of gold electrodeposited over a non-gold base, typically brass or copper. Gold-filled items have a thicker layer bonded under heat and pressure, but still represent a small fraction of the total weight. Neither is the same as solid gold jewellery, and the difference matters enormously when you want to sell gold for cash in Kolkata.

Hallmarking under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) system provides an official indication of purity. Since 2021, hallmarking has been mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India, with the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number providing traceability for each piece. Older jewellery may carry a different hallmark format or none at all, particularly if it was made before mandatory certification became standard.

Home Tests: What They Can and Cannot Tell You

Several widely shared home testing methods give partial information but are not reliable enough to use as the basis for a selling decision. The magnet test checks whether a piece is attracted to a strong magnet. Genuine gold is not magnetic, so if your piece sticks to a magnet, it almost certainly contains significant iron or steel content and is not solid gold. However, passing the magnet test does not confirm that a piece is solid gold; many base metals are also non-magnetic.

The ceramic scratch test involves drawing the piece across unglazed ceramic. Real gold leaves a gold streak; many base metals leave a black or grey mark. This can be useful as a quick first indication, but it risks scratching the surface of the piece and is not accurate enough to determine karat rating.

The float test, where a piece is placed in water to see if it sinks, is based on gold's high density. Gold sinks quickly; lighter metals may float or sink more slowly. However, hollow jewellery containing genuine gold may behave differently due to air pockets, making this test unreliable for complex designs.

None of these home methods can confirm the karat rating of a piece, and none are suitable for making a selling decision based on them. They are useful for a preliminary sense of whether something is worth having professionally tested, but no more than that.

There is also the density calculation method, which involves measuring the weight of a piece in air and then in water to calculate its specific gravity. Gold has a specific gravity of approximately 19.3, while common base metals such as brass and copper sit between 8 and 9. This test is more scientific than the magnet or ceramic method, but it requires precision equipment and is affected by hollow sections in jewellery, making it unreliable for complex designs. None of these approaches should replace a proper laboratory-grade test when actual money is on the line.

Professional Testing: The Only Reliable Method

When you want to sell gold for cash in Kolkata and need to know the exact purity of your jewellery, professional testing is the only approach that gives you a number you can rely on. Gold buyers use two main methods.

The acid test involves applying nitric acid solutions of different concentrations to a scratched surface and observing the reaction. Different purities react differently, allowing an approximate karat to be identified. This method is invasive, requires the surface to be scratched, and is only as accurate as the tester's skill and the quality of their reagents.

XRF testing uses X-ray fluorescence to determine the composition of the metal without any contact or damage to the piece. A handheld or benchtop device directs X-rays at the jewellery and analyses the fluorescent X-rays emitted by the different metals present. The result is a precise breakdown of the composition, including the gold percentage, displayed within seconds. This is the gold standard for purity testing - accurate, non-destructive, and entirely transparent when conducted in front of the seller.

What Happens During a Professional Evaluation

When you bring your jewellery to a reputable buyer, the evaluation should follow a clear sequence. The piece is first visually inspected and any hallmarks noted. It is then tested using XRF, with the purity result recorded. The gross weight is measured, and any non-gold materials, stones, clasps, or enamel are identified and deducted to arrive at the net gold weight. The offer is calculated from the net weight and the applicable per-gram rate for the confirmed purity.

Cash On Old Gold conducts every evaluation using computerised XRF machine technology, with the entire process visible to the seller. No piece is melted, scratched, or altered before the seller has agreed to proceed. The purity reading, net weight, and the Kolkata Gold and Diamond Federation's daily buy rate are all shown before any offer is made, so you understand exactly where your price comes from.

Bottomline 

If you are uncertain about whether your gold is genuine, bringing it for a professional assessment is the right first step. Cash On Old Gold evaluates jewellery regardless of whether you ultimately choose to sell; the testing process is transparent and designed to give you accurate information. When you are ready to sell gold for cash in Kolkata, you will have the verified purity and weight figures that let you evaluate any offer with confidence.