Gold is one of the most sought-after commodities in the world, but it’s also a tricky commodity to assess. Fortunately, there are several key factors that impact its market value.
The first is weight. Gold bars typically weigh in at 400 troy ounces, but they can vary in size and shape.
1. Weight
The weight of gold is a hotly debated topic in the precious metal community. Among collectors and investors alike, it is often the source of much disagreement. The weight of a gold bar is not as important to its overall value as the karats or content, but it can be useful in identifying the quality of a specific piece of jewellery.
A standard gold bar measures 12.4 kg or 27.4 pounds, but there are larger ones out there. These are sometimes referred to as dore bars and weigh in at around 400 troy ounces.
While it is not easy to come by a high-quality gold bar with a mass below 100 grams, you can get your hands on one at an accredited mint for a reasonable price. The best way to find out is to check your local gold dealer for a no-obligation appraisal or try JM Bullion and APMEX for the latest prices and deals.
2. Purity
Gold is a rare metal that can be mixed with other alloys to create varying karats. Pure gold is 24 karats and has a bright orange-yellow color that can be polished to a mirror-like shine.
However, most jewellery is made of a blend of 24 and 18 karats. The lower the karat, the more silver and copper that is mixed in with it to make it stronger and more durable.
Even with the best-equipped gold scales, a professional appraiser will still need to test the purity of your piece using acid testing. They will also need to assess its brand and resale value, which can add to or take away from your gold gram’s true worth.
Generally speaking, 12.4 kg of gold is equivalent to 400 troy ounces. This is the standard accepted size for bars traded on the London market and other bullion markets.
3. Design
A 12.4 kg gold bar has got to be one of the more impressive investments you make. Luckily, you can purchase this little green number from your local gold mines and bullion banks. The best part? The bar is also a lot of fun to hold. In the hands of a lucky winner, it will be the envy of all your coworkers and friends. While this may not be the most convenient way to store your hard-earned cash, the benefits will outweigh the inconvenience.
4. Certification
If you want to invest in a gold bar, the size of the bar can make a big difference in the value. A standard gold brick, or dore bar, weighs about 400 troy ounces (approximately 12.4 kg). However, you will also find smaller bars that have been melted down and mixed with other metals to create a semi-pure alloy. These larger bricks are typically worth a lot more than their 1-kilogram counterparts.
Certification is a process by which individuals are evaluated by a third party to determine whether they have the knowledge and skills needed for a profession, job, hobby, or activity. It is a valuable tool for employers and helps them save time and money on training new employees. It can also help individuals keep up to date with developments in their industry.
A certification program provides a course of instruction with intended learning outcomes, and a specific examination is used to assess participants’ achievement of those learning outcomes. Those who pass the examination are awarded a certificate that demonstrates their level of expertise in their particular field.
