Beware of fake gold jewellery

Disna Mudalige

Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha instructed National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NG&JA) sources to expand its laboratory service to identify fake gold throughout the country.

NG&JA sources identified that tungsten metal is being used worldwide to make fake gold jewellery. Those involved in this fake gold business have been able to earn massive sums by pawning gold covered 'tungsten jewellery' for the same price good quality gold fetches.

Densimetre is the device used to measure the purity of metal content. This device is produced according to the Archimedes' principle. Densimetre has been unable to identify gold and tungsten separately since both metal contain the same weight. The Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department by the end of 2012 prohibited the use of Densimeter in Sri Lanka to prevent the fake gold entering the local market. The traditional method of rubbing on the uragala is used today to check the purity of gold.

However, only the NG&JA can conduct standard laboratory tests to identify pure gold. The public can also obtain the standard certificates for gold jewellery and other gold products from the NG&JA laboratory in Kollupitiya.

The minister instructed NG&JA chairman Prasad Galhena to expand the laboratory service of the Authority through out the country for the benefit of the people.

Immediate steps have been taken to open gold certification laboratories in Galle, Kandy and Jaffna.