How to Test for Real Gold Using Nitric Acid

Gold is a soft metal that is highly valued all around the world. Native gold occurs as nuggets or small grains in rocks or in large underground veins created by alluvial deposits. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and shiny luster. However, there are other types of metal which have a similar appearance, making the identification of pure gold difficult. By using nitric acid, you can test metal samples to confirm the presence of gold at home.

Things You'll Need

• Nitric acid
• Rubber gloves
• Small cloth
• Small glass bowl
• Water

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Put protective rubber gloves on your hands and place the metal you would like to test for gold content in a small glass bowl.

   • 2

     Apply a drop of nitric acid to the surface of the subject metal. If the color of the metal changes color to green or pink, the metal is not gold. If the metal remains gold -- the metal is real gold.

   • 3

     Clean the acid off of the gold using a cotton cloth. Rinse the metal thoroughly with water to remove the acid.