The physical characteristics of gold can easily be verified with the naked eye. It should have a bright yellow colour and a considerable weight.

Gold does not oxidise, making it extremely durable, and its colour does not change over time. What's more, it is unaffected by heat, air or humidity, and by most chemical products, as it can only be dissolved with chlorine water, a mixture of potassium cyanide and water, or aqua regia. Gold only reacts on contact with chlorine and bromine.