Have you ever seen gold? All that glitters is not gold. Nitric acid is the best way to test. It is easy to find the reagent, and it takes only a few minutes. The results are available immediately.
You will need to prepare the test using nitric acids, a stainless-steel dish, and a glass dropper. You must be aware of the potential damage that acid can cause and be ready to take precautionary steps.
In the stainless steel dish, place a gold-colored find. Use a dropper to make nitric acids and then expel them onto the item.
It’s not gold (or gilding).
It’s most likely not gold if you see light-colored discoloration. Most likely, the find is just gilded on the surface.
Gilded silver
A white film that appears on the surface is most likely gilded or plated silver.
Gold
Your day will be a success if there is no reaction to acid. You are holding an actual piece of gold in your hand.
Magnet Test
Remember that gold is not attracted to magnets. This test can be used for quick testing. However, this test does not guarantee 100% pure gold. It may contain non-magnetic materials.
You can also try the purity of your gold at home. However, this test can be a little more complicated. A touchstone, touch needle, and a sample of gold are all required.