Gold isn't gold until it's been under the hammer.

What it means

Worth is proven by pressure. A person, like metal, shows what they are made of when they are struck. Treat hard blows as the forging they are.

The source

"Gold isn't gold until it's been under the hammer." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Золото не золото, не быв (не побывав) под молотом."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»). Text read at ru.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Gold isn't gold until it's been under the hammer." mean?

Worth is proven by pressure. A person, like metal, shows what they are made of when they are struck. Treat hard blows as the forging they are.

Who said "Gold isn't gold until it's been under the hammer."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»).

What is the original Russian?

Золото не золото, не быв (не побывав) под молотом. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Gold isn't gold until it's been under the hammer." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Gold isn't gold until it's been under the hammer." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/gold-isnt-gold-until-its-been-under-the