The class of metals used for carving idols and making jewellery and utensils is very broad and includes various metals like gold, silver, copper, and brass. Now the question is how one can check the authenticity of these products.
Gold: If your gold item is floating in water, you know it is not real gold. Beyond that, rust or tarnishing on your gold item is a definite indication that it is not real gold, as gold doesn’t rust or get tarnished. Also, trademarks and hallmarks are a great way of understanding the genuinity of the handicraft. A hallmark on your gold jewellery, in order to be considered India-export, must have a Bureau of Indian Standard mark which is marked in the form of a triangle in its design.· To ensure purity in karat and fineness, look for the Caratage (22K915).
Silver: If there’s an engraving on it that says “STERLING” or “STER” on it, it means that the silver it is made of is 92.5% or close to pure silver. Another way to identify the purity of silver jewelry is to look for the symbol ‘IS’ which means that it is International Silver.
Brass: You can make a clear-cut difference between brass and non-brass items with the help of a magnet, since brass items are non-magnetic.