How to Check If Gold Is Real With a Lighter

For centuries now, gold is still the most stable and valuable asset you can think of in terms of precious metals. Investors still rank it high because it is considered a safe haven. That metal in your possession could become a financial lifeline but are you sure that it is real? It can be shocking to learn that you have been keeping fake gold all along. The number of gold dealers keeps rising by the day. Similarly, scammers have also gotten into the industry. If you are not careful, you may end up in the wrong hands of scammers. The good news is that you can avoid getting ripped off by using a household item – lighter. Here are the ways through which you can check if the gold you have is real using a lighter.

To begin with, you new to know the basics of gold and what a real one one is. The mixup is common with newbies who don’t know what real gold is. Fake gold is anything that falls below 10 karats. You can read more here for a breakdown of how it translates to value. The Gold Price per Gram calculator will tell you how much the market will offer for your gold depending on the purity. Gold’s value rapidly begins to decline if its content goes below 10 karats. Sometimes the gold isn’t real but some dealers have tricks to lie about its content. Although it is not always a scam, some jewelers have a habit of passing off washed pieces as the real deal.

The other common trick unscrupulous sellers use is gold plating. It is one of the oldest tricks and it is surprising that many people are yet to know about it. It is also worth noting that some dealers use the trick of pyrite application. It is actually known as fool’s gold worldwide. It is easier to know fake gold because pyrite leaves discoloration when exposed to the atmosphere.

Testing gold is a global industry because there is too much money riding on whether what you claim to be gold is actually real. Many people think that they need sophisticated machines and laboratories to check if gold is real. All you need is a lighter. First, ensure that you choose your weapon carefully because not any other old lighter will do. A recommend lighter is a butane lighter filled with actual lighter fluid.

Ensure that you hang the gold somewhere on the wall because it can get hot and burn your hands. Direct the flame on the metal and check the color change. The result should come out after about a minute of heating. For more information and insights into gold and silver industry, read more here.