Authenticity & Testing

When buying or selling precious metals, authenticity is everything. Counterfeit products can appear convincing to the untrained eye, but there are clear ways to ensure that your gold and silver are genuine. This page outlines how we guarantee authenticity, the methods used to test precious metals, and what you can do as a customer to protect your investment.

Our Commitment to Authenticity

Direct Mint & Refiner Sourcing

We purchase coins and bars directly from sovereign mints (e.g., U.S. Mint, Royal Canadian Mint) and LBMA-approved refiners. This eliminates middlemen and reduces the risk of counterfeits entering the supply chain.

Assay Packaging & Certificates

Most bars are sealed in tamper-proof assay cards with metal weight, purity, and serial number. Certificates of authenticity (COAs) accompany select collectible and numismatic items.

Unique Identifiers: Larger bars carry serial numbers stamped into the metal.

Coins include detailed mint marks, inscriptions, and micro-engraving (e.g., Maple Leaf’s radial lines & laser-mark security).

Internal Testing

All incoming inventory undergoes random spot testing for weight, dimensions, density, and metal composition before being made available for sale.

Methods of Precious Metal Testing

1. Visual Inspection:

  • Authentic products have precise designs, sharp edges, and correct finishes.
  • Counterfeits often show blurred lettering, incorrect fonts, or color differences.

2. Weight & Dimension Verification:

  • Each coin or bar has exact specifications (weight, diameter, and thickness).
  • A sensitive jewellery’s scale and callipers can confirm these quickly.

3. Magnet Test:

  • Gold and silver are non-magnetic. If a product is attracted to a magnet, it is not genuine.
  • A sensitive jewellery’s scale and callipers can confirm these quickly.

4. Ping / Ring Test (for Coins):

  • When tapped, genuine silver coins emit a long, high-pitched ring.
  • Fakes often sound dull or short.
There are mobile apps that can compare frequencies for added assurance.

5. Specific Gravity (Density) Test:

  • Each metal has a unique density:
Gold: 19.32 g/cm³
Silver: 10.49 g/cm³

Measuring weight in air vs. water helps confirm if a product is real.

6. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Testing:

  • Non-destructive, professional-grade equipment that scans the surface composition of metals.
  • Commonly used by dealers, refiners, and pawn shops.

7. Ultrasound / Electrical Conductivity Testing:

  • Advanced tools can measure conductivity or sound waves through the entire bar.
  • Especially useful for detecting tungsten-filled gold bars.

What Customers Should Do

  • Buy Only from Reputable Dealers
  • These provide proof of authenticity and help during resale.
  • Avoid anonymous sellers or marketplaces with inconsistent reviews.
  • Perform Simple At-Home Checks
  • Verify membership in industry associations (e.g., ICTA, PNG, ANA).
  • Weigh your product.
  • Keep Original Packaging
  • Test with a strong magnet
  • Do not break open assay cards or mint-sealed tubes unless absolutely necessary.
  • Measure dimensions with calipers.
  • Open packaging can make resale more difficult and reduce premiums.
  • Listen for the silver “ping.”
  • Document Your Purchases
  • Seek Professional Verification for Large Holdings
  • Retain invoices, COAs, and serial numbers.
  • If you acquire high-value gold bars or rare coins, consider professional XRF or ultrasonic testing for peace of mind.

Counterfeit Awareness

Common Red Flags:

  • Pricing far below spot value.
  • Seller’s unwilling to provide clear photos or specifications.
  • Missing or generic packaging for products that normally include sealed assays.

Market Reality:

Counterfeits are increasingly sophisticated, using plated tungsten or copper cores. Awareness and proper testing remain your best protection.

Authenticity is the foundation of trust in precious metals. We take every step to ensure the products we deliver are genuine, properly packaged, and sourced from recognized refiners and mints. As a buyer, keeping products sealed, saving documentation, and using simple tests at home can give you added peace of mind.

For more information, please contact our support team at info@pureswissgold.com or visit our Help Center.