Things You'll Need
Instructions
Hold a magnet to the metal. If it is attracted to the magnet the metal is not gold.
Using a pipette, drop a small amount of Hydrochloric acid onto the metal. If it begins to dissolve, the metal is not pure gold.
Rub the metal against an unglazed porcelain tile. If the streak is yellow, it is gold. Pyrite, commonly mistaken for gold, will leave a black streak.
Attempt to scratch a piece of glass with the metal. If the metal successfully scratches the glass, it is not gold.