It is important that those who buy/invest in bullion have requisite knowledge about how to test the authenticity of their purchase; for if they don’t, besides wasting funds and time they would also be putting the value of their investment in peril. Sound judgement heeds beckoning the advice of a professional. However, there are simple tests which the customer could conduct on his purchase himself and assess the purity of his buy.
The following are the ways whereby, a customer/investor can conduct an examination on his own:
Markings: All gold and silver bullion investment bears markings of the mint that it is produced in. Therefore, one should seek that marking as a check of bullion purity; if missing in all likelihood the purchase is a fake. The other marking indications that prove genuineness of the bullion are serial numbers, purity & weight. In case of coins their denominations and mintage year. If all the markings mentioned are missing then the product is an all-out fake.
Edge Finish: In coins, it is the edge finish which is difficult to duplicate of the original form. Every coin design has a distinctive edge pattern; some being smooth/plain, others with lettering on them and a third category with reading. Your checking now has to include ensuring that the edge finish matches the coin design demands and the composition/grain has been accomplished in the right way. The common error that duplicate coins have is reeds of incorrect size.
Relief: A form detail that plagiarists find difficult to copy is the ‘Relief’. The height of the image in relation to the coin base is known as the ‘Relief’ of the coin. A standard relief in coins enables owners to create neat stacks of them, one on top of the other. The fake are caught because the plagiarists find it difficult to cut a standard size, therefore, they tumble down when stacked. The other distinguishing feature of a fake being the relief being so low that the design is not noticeable. It one was to run a finger on the coin surface one would be able to apprehend the difference.
Weight: It is a criminal offense to sell items of distorted weights. Therefore, no mint of repute would risk it. As most bullion piece have weights carved on them, a simple test of weight would be a test for fake or otherwise.
Dimension: The caliper (a measurement Instrument) is to be used to measure the diameter and width of the purchase gold and silver bullion piece. If it differs from the standardized measurements for one’s purchase, then it is a fake one. All coins bars and rounds are cast into identical moulds by machines; any variance from the specified measure is an indication of duplicity.
Ping: When one strikes another smooth piece of precious metal to one’s own and hears a ‘ping’ sound that lasts for 1 second, it is a genuine piece. However, if you hear a heavier sound, you’ve been taken for a ride.
Magnetism: Gold & Silver are non-magnetic; therefore, measuring magnetism of one’s bullion purchase would indicate the genuineness of the purchase. Taking a magnet and hovering it directly above the bullion is an acid test, if the two attract, the purchase is a fake one. However, a further test would be required after this, because there are certain fake metals which are nonmagnetic. Therefore, a second test is essential to establish authenticity of the buy.
Conductivity: The test of conductivity is for a silver bullion purchase alone. If one finds a piece of ice placed on a bullion melting quickly, then one has a true metal at hand, this being so because silver is a good conductor metal. The heat stored in the bullion is what melts the ice on it. If one observes that the ice is melting slowly or not melting at all, then it is to be understood that one has been fooled.
Acid Test: The silver acid test kit would help one find out the correctness of the bullion purchase. If performed properly, the area on which the chemical test is performed would change to red, brown or green colour. These three colours prove the authenticity of the purchase. Any other colour change would pronounce the buy to be a fake one. One has to be sure about the composition of chemicals used in this test, for if not done properly, it could damage the purchase and the buyer would incur financial loss.
Ultrasound: This test should be left to a professional to conduct on behalf of the buyer, as this has to be done on expensive machines and requires technical knowledge, since sound waves speeds need to be measured. Composition and consistency of the bullion also has to be deliberated upon, to establish validity of the metal.
Authenticity Checks to be Evaded: Indenting, scraping and dropping ones bullion to check genuineness of the purchase should be abstained from, for these prying tests could damage the bullion & also lead to its weakening .
Tests to Avoid: Indenting, scraping or dropping ones gold or silver is to be avoided. These prying tests damage bullion, leading to devaluation. ‘Ping’ is the only acceptable tests for it do not damage the bullion.
Buy Real Gold and Silver From Jindal Bullion Ltd:
Jindal Bullion is one place that an investor can approach to make an authentic Gold & Silver bullion purchase. Retailers and wholesalers of repute, they ensure customer satisfaction. Traders in 995 gold and 999 silver bars and coins they purchase their precious metal from the worlds most reputed names like PAMP, UBS, Credit Suisse, Rand Refinery, Perth Mint, etc. and all their products are 100% hallmarked.
For any queries their products please give them a call at 1800 3070 0621. Investors are welcome to contact the customer care staff via chat and online form submission as well.
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