test for gold?

First off, I know I should order a gold testing kit... Until I do, is there a way to test for the presence of gold using household chemicals? I have a small circuit board that appears to be old that has thick gold colored posts. darker than newer computer stuff. I filed one of them and it appears to be gold quite deep into it. Also, a weird thing happens when I stick a magnet to it. there is a slight magnetic attraction. I have to stick my small computer speaker magnets against one of the connectors I took off before it will stick. but then, the connector moves to the side of the magnet. it almost falls off of the middle, but slvery slightly sticks to the side. the magnet is fine. any ideas why the connector is attracted to the side only?

Nitric Acid is how to test for gold - I'm not aware of any alternatives. If it's a darker gold it's probably brass (or brass plated steel). Manufacturors will not use gold unless it improves the quality of connections, so things like posts and corners will almost certainly be a cheaper metal.
Speaker magnets are only magnetic on each face, since these are the poles. The edge is halfway between two magnetic fields so things rarely stick to them dead on.

VERY helpful info Mulden. Thanks a bunch.

Nitric is only used to test for lower karat gold, for higher you need to add Hydrochoric acid.
10KT - 10 mL nitric - 3.3 mL distilled water
14KT - 10 mL nitric - 2.5 mL distilled water - 4 drops hydrochloric
18KT - 10 mL nitric - 10mL distilled water - 30.2 mL hydrochloric

Not going to get these from household stuff i'm afraid.

Post removed for safety reasons.

For more info, check out the Gold Refining Forum. Lots of good people there and tons of info.

Mike

Quote:

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If you don't have nitric acid, you can use HCL or muriatic acid, available at most hardware stores. You will also need some clorox, some Q-tips and some tin metal or tin solder. Be careful of all acids
Gold testing solution: dissolve a small piece of tin or high tin solder in HCL to make stannous chloride. In a closed glass bottle, it should be good for a week or more.
In a glass or heavy plastic container, mix a small amount of HCL with a few drops of Clorox. The solution will fizz when the Clorox is added. Be careful not to breathe the fumes and work in a well ventilated area. Use this solution as soon as possible as it will lose stength quickly. Dip a Q-tip in the solution and rub on the piece to be tested. This should dissolve a small amount of the gold. Now put a drop of the stannous chloride testing solution on the Q-tip you swabbed the test piece with. Look for a purple color if gold is present.
For more info, check out the Gold Refining Forum. Lots of good people there and tons of info.
Mike

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No offense but as many new-bee's we have jumping in and out of this forum, I don't think I'd be putting up any info on using acids to test anything. Nine times out of ten their not going to research the subject well enough to not get hurt. Save it for GFR where there's more experts to school them. Everyone's in a hurry, you know.

Just thought I was adding something worthwhile. HCL is much safer than Nitric and I did add cautions. Feel free to delete if the post does not fit.

Try this,, take a compact, which is make-up, ask any lady what a compact is she will be able to show you. Rub some of the compact powder on your hand or inside of your wrist, take the piece with the gold and rub it hard on the area with the powder if it turns dark or black its gold if it dosn't its not gold. I do this at yard sales when looking for gold jewelry.

Kinda works like a jewelers rouge, am I right Happy?? Good thought,, How do you explain all the make up when you get home??
Yea right, checking for gold heh???