Methods for Assessing the Purity of a Gold Coin

Key Highlights

• Various methods for assessing the purity of a gold coin include the hallmark check, magnet test, and density test among others.
• It has now become convenient to find out the presence of impurities in a gold coin. When uncertainty arises, seeking evaluation from a professional jeweller is advisable.
• You can also install the 'BIS care' application to check your gold item’s purity online and verify hallmarking.

People invest in gold with their hard-earned money and naturally expect it to be of the highest quality. Hence, it is important to check the purity of your gold asset, such as gold coins to ascertain its true value.

In this blog, we will learn about the most common methods for assessing the purity of a gold coin.

Methods for Assessing the Purity of a Gold Coin

Let us explore the various methods for assessing the purity of a gold coin:

Hallmark Check

Checking for a hallmark is a widely-used method to assess the purity of a gold coin. A hallmark is a small mark or stamp imprinted on the coin used for a gold purity check. When buying a gold coin in India, you should look for the 'Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Hallmark' written on the gold coin.

This stamp indicates the gold's purity for different carats. The government of India has also made the hallmark logo on gold mandatory. This means an Indian jeweller can sell gold jewellery only if it bears the BIS hallmark.

Magnet Test

If you are wondering how to check gold coin purity yourself, you can use a magnet as a convenient method. Take a magnet and put the gold coin against it to see if it attracts the coin.

A pure gold coin has no metal other than gold, so the magnet will not stick to the coin. However, the coin will stick to the magnet if it contains metal impurities.

Even though the magnet test is a straightforward method, it is not an accurate measure for conducting a gold quality check. It should be followed by more reliable methods for a proper evaluation.

Density Test

If you're looking for different ways how to check gold quality, a density test is another reliable method. This technique involves measuring the coin's density and then comparing it to the actual density of pure gold.

A highly accurate method, the density test is used by jewellers and gold dealers as well. They have specialised tools to carry out this test.

As different metals possess distinct densities, this test helps identify the presence of any non-gold elements in the coin. By determining whether the coin's density matches that of pure gold, you can find out the coin's overall purity.

Also Read: Why Gold Price is Increasing? 9 Factors Affecting Gold Rates

Acid Test

If you want to know how to check gold coin purity, the acid or scratch test is another reliable method used to conduct a gold purity check. The test involves scratching the coin's surface and applying different acids with different concentrations on it.

Subsequently, each acid will react differently based on the gold's purity and leave marks or colours on the scratch. If the gold coin is pure, there will be no discolouration. Meanwhile, the gold coin will turn black, blue, or green if it contains other metals.

The acid test involves using acids like vinegar or nitric acid to test the gold coin’s purity. Conducting this test with caution is essential as it can damage the coin's surface.

X-Ray Fluorescence Test

The X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) test is a cutting-edge method used to determine the purity of a gold coin. This is an advanced technique that employs X-rays to determine the coin's composition without causing any harm to it physically.

By using XRF machines, experts can identify the exact composition of the coin along with the exact percentage of different elements in the gold coin.

Assessing the Purity of a Gold Coin is Crucial

It is essential to safeguard yourself from potential fraud when it comes to gold ornaments or coins. There are several available methods for assessing the purity of a gold coin.

Nowadays, it has become convenient to find out the presence of impurities in a gold coin. When uncertainty arises, seeking evaluation from a professional jeweller is advisable as their expertise provides you with precise assessments.

If you are looking to buy digital gold, you can have a look at our website to start your investment journey.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions