How to check the purity of gold jewellery? Identify it using 5 methods from the comfort of your home..

Checking Gold Purity at Home: People often purchase gold during Diwali and Dhanteras. However, there is always a concern regarding the potential for adulteration. This raises the question: how genuine or pure is the gold or jewelry you have purchased? Often, a lack of accurate information about purity can lead to consumers falling victim to fraud. While laboratory testing and expert techniques are the most precise methods for verifying gold, there are also simple, accessible home-based methods and government-mandated systems that allow you to determine the purity of your gold from the comfort of your own home.

There are five ways to check the purity of gold at home. Pankaj Arora, National President of the All India Jewellers and Goldsmiths Federation, explains that if you have purchased gold jewelry from a branded jeweler that includes an HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code, you can access all relevant details via the 'BIS Care' app. This includes information about the type of ornament, its karat value, and its place of manufacture. If, however, you purchased jewelry from a local goldsmith in a village or small town, you can take it to a hallmarking center to verify its purity for a nominal fee of just ₹236. It is advisable to purchase jewelry that carries an HUID code, as this ensures that if any quality-related issues arise, you can file a complaint and seek a resolution.

Purity by Karat
24 Karat (24K): 99.9% pure; used for making coins or bars, not for crafting jewelry.

22 Karat (22K/916): 91.6% pure; considered the best for making jewelry.

18 Karat (18K/750): 75.0% pure; used for jewelry set with diamonds or other gemstones.

14 Karat (14K/585): 58.5% pure.

Check for the Hallmark and HUID Code
The hallmark serves as the definitive mark of authentic gold. According to the Government of India (BIS) regulations, gold jewellery must bear three key marks: the BIS logo, the purity in karats (e.g., 22K916 or 18K750), and a 6-digit alphanumeric HUID code. By downloading the 'BIS Care' app and entering this HUID code, you can access full details about the jewellery and verify its actual purity within minutes.

Magnet Test
Gold is a non-magnetic metal. Bring a strong magnet close to the gold jewellery; if the gold is attracted to or sticks to the magnet, it indicates the presence of impurities such as iron, nickel, or other metals.
Water Test
Gold is a dense (heavy) metal. Fill a transparent container or glass with water and place the gold jewellery into it. Genuine gold will sink immediately to the bottom. If the jewellery floats or takes a long time to sink, it may contain impurities.

Vinegar Test
Apply a few drops of vinegar to the gold jewellery. If the colour changes—or if it begins to turn black or green—the item is either fake or of a lower karat. Vinegar has no chemical effect on genuine gold.

Scratch Test
Genuine gold never emits an odour, such as the smell of sweat or metal. Additionally, if you gently rub the gold against an unglazed ceramic plate, a golden streak indicates that the gold is genuine; a black or grey streak, however, indicates that it is fake.

How do experts verify the purity of gold?
When you visit a trusted jeweller or a hallmarking centre, experts employ modern scientific techniques.

XRF Spectrometer Machine – This is the most advanced and non-destructive method. In this method, X-rays are used to determine—within just two seconds and without damaging or melting the gold—the exact percentage of gold present, as well as the proportions of other metals (such as copper, silver, or zinc).

Acid and Touchstone Test – This is a traditional method. Goldsmiths rub the gold against a touchstone and apply a drop of nitric acid to the resulting mark. By observing the change in the color of the mark caused by the acid, they can accurately estimate the gold's purity (in karats: 24K, 22K, 18K, 14K).

Fire Assay Test – This is considered the most accurate and globally recognized method for testing gold. It involves melting a small sample of the gold to separate all other metals, allowing for the precise measurement of the pure gold content.

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