How to Spot Fake or Counterfeit Gold

Worried an item might not be genuine? Here are the checks worth doing at home — and an honest look at why none of them are completely conclusive on their own.

Visual and hallmark checks

Start by checking for a hallmark (usually inside a ring, on a clasp, or near a fastening). Genuine UK hallmarks show a purity stamp (375, 585, 750, 916 or 999), a maker's mark, and an assay office mark. Be aware that hallmarks themselves can occasionally be faked on counterfeit pieces, so this is a useful first step, not final proof.

The ceramic scratch test

Drag the item gently across an unglazed ceramic surface (the underside of a plate, for example). Genuine gold leaves a gold-coloured streak. A black or grey streak suggests a base metal underneath, either plated or entirely fake. This test can mark the item slightly, so only do it on a piece you're not precious about, and never on hallmarked or valuable jewellery.

The magnet test

Gold is not magnetic. If a piece is strongly attracted to a magnet, it is not solid gold. This test can only rule pieces out — it can't confirm genuine gold, since several non-magnetic base metals are also used in fakes and plating.

Weight and feel

Gold is a dense metal. An item that feels surprisingly light, or has a hollow feel when tapped, can be a sign it's not solid — though without knowing the exact expected weight for that specific design, this is a general impression rather than proof.

Why none of this replaces proper testing

Every DIY check above has a genuine exception or limitation. The only method that reliably confirms purity is professional analysis — we test every item using non-destructive XRF technology, which identifies exact gold content without damaging the piece. Read more about how we test your gold.

Not sure what you've got? Request a free postal gold kit and we'll test it properly, free of charge, with no obligation to sell.