When you hear the term “gold bullion”, you might think of rectangular bits of gold called bars. However, coins are also classed as gold bullion.
Both are essentially precious metals with high purity and value sell gold Melbourne, but they come in different forms. Understanding the difference is essential for anyone interested in investing in precious metals.
How to Test
If you are worried that your gold bullion coins or bars might be fake, there are several straightforward tests you can do at home to determine whether they are genuine. These include the Magnifying Glass Test, the Hallmark Test, and skin testing.
The Magnifying Glass Test requires only your gold item and a magnifying glass. This is the simplest way to determine the purity of your gold piece and will save you time and money from having a professional inspect it Result.
Real 24 karat gold displays a very bright yellowish-orange color on even bright surfaces like light bulbs while cheaper metals often display a much darker, lighter shade. This test is a quick way to know if your gold is pure, but it should not be your only method of verification.
The magnet test is another straightforward gold testing method that can be used to find out if your gold is real. It requires a strong magnet and can be done at home, but it is not foolproof because counterfeits can also pass the test.
Fire Assay
The Fire Assay method is one of the most accurate and precise methods available for testing gold bullion. It is also a centuries-old process that has been used to determine the amount of gold present in ores since ancient times.
To perform the fire assay, or cupellation as it is more commonly known, a sample from an article or piece of gold bullion is wrapped in lead foil with added silver. It is then heated in a furnace at temperatures of up to 1100 C, removing all base metals, and oxidizing the gold.
This is then poured into a cupel, or porous vessel, made of compressed bone ash or magnesium oxide powder. The base metals oxidize and absorb into the cupel, which results in the formation of a precious metal bead known as a prill.
The fire assay cupellation method is an extremely accurate technique with an accuracy of 2-3 parts per ten thousand (0.02%). The extreme method precision is achieved through the weighing of samples and process controls at each process stage digitalpinas.
White Vinegar Test
The White Vinegar Test is one of the most reliable methods for testing gold bullion. It doesn’t require any special equipment or chemicals and can be done at home without much effort.
First, place your sample in a glass cup and pour enough white vinegar to fully submerge it. This will prevent any damage to the piece while revealing its true colors.
After placing your sample in the vinegar, you should observe how it changes over time. A real piece of gold will remain bright and shiny, while a fake piece will likely turn brown or black.
This test is not foolproof, but it can be a great way to tell if your gold jewelry is real or not. It can also help you avoid buying fake gold jewelry in the future.
Caliper Test
The Caliper Test method is a simple and reliable way to verify the authenticity of gold bullion. It requires little equipment, and can be used anywhere to check a piece of bullion for legitimacy.
This is one of the most common and accurate home testing methods for gold and silver products. However, it can also damage real gold items so it should be used with caution and on pieces that you are not planning to sell for aesthetic value or scratch.
Conclusion
This is a Gold bullion preliminary test to do before you buy a bullion item, as it can identify fake gold that does not weight as advertised. This is often a red flag that it may not be as pure as the seller claims, and could be an indication of something else wrong.
