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Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is a mixture of hydrogen and chloride that is used in many different products, including chemical solutions used to identify gold. The chemical is part of the solution used throughout the jewelry industry to test for real gold. The acid is a corrosive chemical that can cause damage to the eyes, mucous membranes and skin if it touches these parts of the body. Protective equipment must be worn when mixing hydrochloric acid for the purpose of testing for gold.
Nitric Acid
Nitric acid is a powerful oxidizing agent that can be used in a solution to identify true gold. The chemical is made up of nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen. The acid is highly corrosive and, when mixed with other chemicals, can become highly explosive. If it is mixed with the proper chemicals, it is a reliable gold testing chemical. Always use personal protective equipment such as face mask, gloves and goggles when using nitric acid to test gold.
Potassium Dichromate Salt
Potassium dichromate salt is the other part of the chemical solution used to test gold as well as in many different laboratory tests. The salt is red-orange in color and easily identifiable. The chemical is used to oxidize alcohol, but when mixed with the wrong chemicals can become very unstable. Mixed properly, the potassium dichromate salt is part of a gold testing solution.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen, water is the final ingredient of most all chemical solutions that items to verify whether an item is real gold or how many karats of gold is in the item or rock. Water is not corrosive or harmful to humans when used by itself. When mixed with other corrosive chemicals can become dangerous and requires personal protective equipment.
Chemical Testing
Once the proper chemicals are mixed together to form a gold testing solution, a proper chemical test can be performed on the item. It only takes a small amount of the chemical solution. Make a small hole in the gold, in a place that will hold the chemical solution. Take an eye-dropper and place a drop into the hole. If the mineral is copper it will turn brown. If the mineral is brass it will turn a darker brown. Other minerals will also turn the chemical solution into a different color, but there will be no color change if the mineral is real gold.