Gold has become even more popular in recent years than it was throughout the entirety of the past ages. This isn’t difficult to understand due to occasional economic turmoil. Individuals choose to invest in gold has many good selling points to it such as longevity of value, and considerable potential for investment and hoarding.
The problem isn’t that gold is an unworthy investment. The concerns many have about investing in gold is that they do not know how to discern true gold from fake varieties. So the question arises: how do you know if something is real gold? How do you know if a coin is a true real gold coin? We’ll answer these questions, as well as teach you how to tell if a coin is gold plated.
Fact and Fiction
1) Fiction: If I bite gold it will dent, therefore if I bite my gold coins and they dent they are real.
Fact: This might have been true once upon a time. The modern reality is different however. With the ability to manufacture thin metal plating in great quantities all it would require is lead, nickel, and similar metals plated over each other with a thin veneer of gold atop it to allow it to pass the bite test unless the one biting has jaws like a crocodile.
Addendum: The bite test is still a worthy one, once the coins or similar solid supposed gold has been cleaned properly. If gold coins do not dent at least a little when being bitten by solid teeth they are in fact counterfeit. Real gold, especially twenty eight carat gold, is very soft and hammered flat in an easy manner. This makes gold determining easy, because it’s easier to learn how to tell if gold is real.
2) Fiction: If I see a stamp on the bottom of a coin or a piece of jewelry that says “14k” or something similar then it is obviously real gold.
Fact: The truth is that it is easy to stamp metal in such a fashion. Furthermore the United States holds manufacturers to the necessity of stamping gold with carat values but many other countries do not. If the coin or other jewelry passes the bite test and has a stamp then it is either an excellent counterfeit or real gold.
3) Fiction: Sometimes cheap gold does leave marks or rings because it is cheaply constructed.
Fact: This is completely false. Any gold that changes color to black or green, or does not clean well, is in fact counterfeit. Cheap gold, fourteen carat gold for instance, does not change color or leave discoloration on human flesh. Gold plated materials do this. Gold plated materials look pretty but they are not pure gold — coins that are plated are typically counterfeit gold coins, for example.
How Do You Discern True Gold From Fake Gold?
When an individuals seeks to buy gold there are many factors to take into account. Does the gold seem to weigh the proper amount? Does it seem soft and pliable? Do the edges seem to be uniform in color? On jewelry check for for the clasps to see if the connections to these tiny loops are gold in color or if they are darkening to green or black. Is there a stamp determining what carat of gold the piece is meant to be?
The question of the weight of gold is an important one. Real gold is a dense and heavy material despite its softness. If a coin or large piece of jewelry seems particularly light then it might be fake.
The question of softness is important because true gold is soft and pliant. The more gold that exists in the object the greater the softness and pliability. This is different from fake, counterfeit gold coins.
The question of coloration is an important one. If there are any instances of green or black coloration in the gold then the likelihood of it being counterfeit exists. This discernment of coloration should be placed doubly on the edges of a piece of jewelry or coin as well as the clasps and connections of said jewelry.
While stamping gold and any metal with a number is not a difficult process there exists a certain requirement in some countries, notably the United States, wherein all gold must be stamped with its carat. If you buy gold coins in a country with such a law and it does not bear this stamp do not buy it. Any company or person that chooses to sell gold as a profession must abide by this law. Without that stamp they are performing an illegal activity whether the gold is real or not.
For those that choose to invest in gold determining its validity is paramount. Any individual that chooses to ignore these tenants and tips is likely to lose a great sum of money.
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