Gold Purity Testing Methods, From Home Tests to Professional XRF
Part of our complete Gold in India guide: purity, prices, hallmarking, making charges and more.
Quick Answer: Most reliable gold purity test: XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) at licensed A&H centre, 100% accurate, non-destructive, results in 30 seconds. At home: magnet test, acid test, float test. Professional karatmeter also reliable for quick verification.
Gold purity testing ranges from simple home tests (low cost, low accuracy) to professional XRF analysis (high cost, 100% accurate). For jewellery worth ₹1L+, always get XRF testing at a BIS-licensed A&H centre before purchase. This costs ₹45, ₹120 per piece.
Test Methods by Reliability: 1. Magnet Test (free): Real gold is non-magnetic. If gold sticks to magnet = fake. But: some fake gold uses non-magnetic metals too. 2. Float Test (free): Real gold sinks. Fake gold may float. Not 100% reliable. 3. Acid Test (₹200 kit): Nitric acid reacts with fake gold but not real. Destructive for low-karat gold. 4. Electronic Karatmeter (at jewellers, ₹50, ₹100): Measures conductivity, accurate to ±1 karat. 5. XRF Spectrometry (at A&H centres): 100% accurate, non-destructive, shows all alloy composition.
BIS A&H Centre, bis.gov.in/hallmarking (find nearest centre for XRF test)