Because electronic testers cannot accurately measure loose dust or powder, you may need to use chemical or physical tests.
: Items sold as gold dust may actually be brass, copper, or mica. "Gold dust" for art projects is often just gold-colored glitter or bronze powder unless explicitly labeled as Au 79 (elemental gold). How to Verify Authenticity buy gold dust online
: Alaska Mint and SlabCreekDesigns sell authentic gold dust and flakes panned from rivers in California and Alaska. These are typically 20-22k purity and sold as mineral specimens rather than refined bullion. How to Verify Authenticity : Alaska Mint and
: For those who want to "pan" their own gold, retailers like Sluiceboy Prospecting sell bags of raw creek material guaranteed to contain specific amounts of gold dust and small nuggets. Critical Risks and Common Scams Critical Risks and Common Scams : Rub the
: Rub the dust against unglazed porcelain. Real gold leaves a golden yellow streak, while pyrite (fool's gold) leaves a black or gray mark.