Gold is not magnetic, so there should not be any attraction to magnets. If there is, you most likely don't have real gold. However, some of the base metals that can be mixed with gold are also non-magnetic so you can get a false read.
Gold is not a magnetic metal, so if they pull towards the magnet, the beads are fake. However, if they don't react to the magnet, it doesn't necessarily mean they are real, as non-magnetic metals are used in counterfeit pieces as well.
What does it tell you if those "pure gold" earrings are attracted to a magnet? First off, if your "pure gold" is magnetic, then there is iron inside (or maybe nickel). In fact, this is one way to tell if jewelry is actually gold. If it's not attracted to a magnet then there is no iron - but it still might not be gold.
Pure gold on its own cannot stick to a magnet. However, if you have an alloy of gold, then it could stick to a magnet. An example of a gold alloy that may stick to a magnet is gold with over 20% of its atoms replaced by iron. In very cold temperatures this alloy of gold may magnetize all on its own.
Gold and silver are not magnetic. So technically, a piece that is heavy gold electroplated might not register with the magnet. That is why it's important to use this test in conjunction with other tests if you absolutely must be sure about whether or not your jewelry is solid gold.
During the test, you will need to make a tiny scratch in the metal, apply a drop of acid to it and look for a reaction. Real gold does not react when it comes in contact with nitric acid. If the jewellery is gold plated, the acid produces a green reaction.
The Magnet Test
Hold a strong magnet next to a piece of gold and watch for a reaction. Gold is not magnetic, so there should not be any attraction to magnets. If there is, you most likely don't have real gold.
Fool's gold is actually iron sulfide, a non-magnetic, inexpensive and abundant material that is a byproduct of petroleum production.
Most metals are not magnetic. These include precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, titanium, tungsten, and palladium. However, other non-magnetic materials include some stainless steel, copper, aluminum, pewter, zinc, and non-metals like plastic.
How to Do the Float Test to Check If Gold is Real. Fill a cup or bowl with water and carefully drop your gold piece into it. If the gold is real, it will sink to the bottom of the cup. If it's fake, it will float to the top or hover in the middle of the cup.
Vinegar is very destructive, so when you apply the vinegar to a fake piece of gold, the vinegar will cause the jewelry to tarnish. Gold is a non-reactive metal, so real pieces of gold will not react to vinegar.
Test With Nitric Acid
Make a mark deep enough to scratch through the top layer of gold. Carefully apply a drop of nitric acid to the mark, and determine if the mark turns green or milky. There will be no reaction if the jewelry is either gold or mostly gold.
Rub your gold against a jeweler's stone.
Wipe it across the stone firmly enough to leave a mark. If the mark that you've left on the stone is solid and gold in color, then the piece is pure. If there is no line or only a faint one, then the piece is likely plated or not gold at all.
In general, real gold jewelry should feel relatively heavy for its size due to the high density of the metal.
999” or “1.000” would be pure gold and thus the same as 24 karat. Nonetheless, if an item of jewelry does not have this stamp – it is not necessarily proof positive that the item is made from fake gold. This is particularly true of older items of jewelry. Another method how to tell real gold is with a nitric acid test.
Magnet test is the easiest way to check the purity of gold at home and the method is inexpensive too. Gold is a non-reactive and non-magnetic metal, whereas most other metals have magnetic properties. Therefore, if you put real gold near a magnet you will notice no change in it.
“Fool's Gold” is technically known as pyrite or iron sulfide (FeS2) and is one of the most common sulfide minerals. Sulfide minerals are a group of inorganic compounds containing sulfur and one or more elements.
Magnets attract gold-plated items
Magnet testing help determine if an item is gold-plated or not. Gold-plated items have a thin gold coating and a base metal. Pure gold without alloys is soft and malleable. The metal addition, usually magnetic, provides strength and durability to gold-plated jewelry.
Some types of gold, such as gold-plated items and gold that has been alloyed with other metals, may be attracted to magnets. This is because these types of gold have a higher concentration of electrons, which makes them more susceptible to magnetic attraction.
The answer is yes; you can absolutely pawn gold plated jewellery, but it depends on the base metal. Pawning gold plated jewellery is really only ever worthwhile if the base metal of your item is made of a precious base metal like silver.