Gold Authenticity Calculator | Real vs Fake Gold (Water Test)

Real vs Fake Gold Calculator

(Specific Gravity Water Test)

🧪 How to Get the Numbers (3 Easy Steps):

1. Place your gold item on a digital scale. Note the Dry Weight.
2. Place a cup of water on the scale and press "Tare" (Zero).
3. Tie a string to the gold and submerge it in the water (do not touch bottom/sides). Note the weight shown. This is the Displacement.

1. Dry Weight (Grams)

2. Water Displacement Weight (Grams) (The weight shown while item is floating in water)

Calculated Density: 0.00 g/cc

Closest Metal Match: -

*Results are based on standard specific gravity physics.

How to Tell if Gold is Real with Water (Home Test)

Are you worried that your jewelry might be fake? You are not alone. With so many high-quality fakes in the market, visual inspection is often not enough. The most reliable scientific method to test gold at home without acid is the Specific Gravity Test (Density Test).

Gold is a very dense element. By measuring how much water it displaces, our Gold Authenticity Calculator can reveal if your item is Real Gold, Gold Plated, or a cheap base metal like Brass or Copper.

Understanding the "Magic Number" (Density)

Every karat of gold has a unique density. If your jewelry does not match these numbers, it is likely a fake.

Metal / Purity	Density (g/cc)	Verdict
24K Pure Gold	19.3	✅ Real
22K Gold	17.7 - 17.8	✅ Real
18K Gold	15.2 - 15.9	✅ Real
14K Gold (USA Standard)	12.9 - 14.6	✅ Real
10K Gold	11.0 - 11.6	✅ Real
Copper / Brass / Plated	8.4 - 8.9	🛑 FAKE
Steel / Iron	7.8	🛑 FAKE

⚠️ Important Tip:
This test works best for solid items (rings, coins, heavy chains). It is difficult to get accurate results for very light items (under 3 grams) or hollow jewelry using a standard kitchen scale.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Is the water test accurate for gold?

Yes, it is scientific physics. However, its accuracy depends on your scale. We recommend using a digital scale that measures up to 0.01g for the best results.

❓ My result is 8.5. Is it gold?

No. A density of 8.0 to 9.0 typically indicates Copper or Brass. If the item looks like gold, it is likely "Gold Plated" (a thin layer of gold over cheap metal).

❓ What if my item has gemstones?

This calculator is for solid metal only. Diamonds and gemstones have a much lower density (approx 3.5 g/cc), so they will lower the overall score, making real gold appear fake. Do not use this test for jewelry with heavy stones.