Get Best Value For Your Gold: Discover How To Check Purity?

Gold is not just a precious metal but also a form of investment and a symbol of wealth and prosperity in India. It is essential to ensure the purity of gold while buying to get the true value of your money. However, determining the purity of gold is often a challenge for many. Here is a guide to help you check the purity of gold while making a purchase.

Understanding the Concept of Carat and Hallmark

The purity of gold is measured in Carats (kt). Pure gold is 24 Carats. However, it is too soft for making jewellery. Therefore, gold jewellery is usually available in 22kt, 18kt, and 14kt. The lesser the kt, the more metals are mixed with gold. Also, a certified way of validating the purity of gold is through its hallmark. A hallmark includes various details like the BIS logo, the year of hallmarking, jeweller's identification, and the purity of the gold.

Physical Examination of Gold

Another way to check the purity of gold is by inspecting it physically. Real gold always leaves a golden streak when scratched against a touchstone. Moreover, the gold is non-magnetic. So, if it is attracted to a magnet, it is impure. However, these are not foolproof methods as it requires a certain level of expertise.

Nitric Acid Test for Gold Purity

The Nitric Acid Test is another method to check the purity of gold. In this test, a small piece of gold is placed in a stainless steel container and then a few drops of nitric acid are added to it. If the gold piece changes its colour to green, it's not pure. If it turns milky white, it is gold plated over silver. But if it retains its colour, it's pure gold. However, this test should be performed by professionals as nitric acid is a dangerous substance and can cause harm if not handled properly.

Checking the purity of gold is crucial to ensure you are getting the true value of your investment. However, it's always advisable to buy gold from a reputed jeweller or a certified source to avoid any chance of fraud. Additionally, ensure to get a proper invoice with the details of the purity of gold, its weight, and the total cost. This will not only serve as a proof of purchase but also help in case of resale or exchange in the future.