There are no mandatory materials called for in the specification,just tables of mechanical and electrical specifications that cables and connectors must meet.
As with all other cables and connectors in the AV world, gold plating has little to no benefit. Gold plating is for corrosion resistance as rust doesn't conduct signals very well.
Obviously in a typical home environment you don't normal see rusty cables, so many of them are sold because it sounds cool rather than because of a need for the enhanced corrosion resistance. No it isn't fake. I own two of them and they work fine. Bought them from eBay a few years ago.
Cable is braided and sturdy unlike some other cables I've owned.
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