Learn How To Distinguish Authentic Gold
There are different reasons why people collect and invest in precious metals. Generally, precious metals are naturally occurring metallic element. They are rare finds. Precious metals include gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Among all the precious metals, gold is the most popular. Since gold is a famous choice among collectors and investors alike, there are people who produce fake coins to make instant profit. If you are one of those people who are into gold buying and do not want to be victimized by the opportunistic people, here are some of the things you need to know to distinguish authentic gold from fake ones.
Bite Test
Gold as a matter of fact is very soft. Back in the old days, merchants would bite on gold coins to make sure that the coin is pure metal. Coins before the 20th Century are most of the time made of pure Gold. Simply put, when you bite on a genuine gold coin, you will see markings of your teeth. If markings are not evident or simply if you could not bite the coin, it is not pure because there are other added metals on it which makes it harder. So the next time you see a coin piece, do not just be deceived by its striking yellow color. Try to bite it to see if it is soft or hard to bite.
Check The Hallmark
Hallmarking stamped on the metal is one of the definite characteristics of gold to notify the owner the true karat weight of it. The price of gold is dependent on the number of karats of gold. However, it does not always mean that the coin is already fake if it has no hallmark. It is just good to know that some gold have markings to indicate the value of gold in karats for easy evaluation .
Examine The General Characteristics
If you are buying something especially a precious commodity, you will find yourself becoming detail oriented. The same with gold, you are very particular with all the details like the year it was minted, the image featured on the coin and the weight of the gold. Also you will be well acquainted with the over-all characteristics of the gold if you have a particular gold in mind. As a result, You will surely have second thoughts whenever you see Krugerrand being misspelled.
Validate The Legitimacy Of The Seller
Checking the legitimacy of the seller is the easiest way to tell if the gold is genuine or not. You can ask him or her simple questions about the product he or she is selling. Listen to their answers and research on them before you buy the gold. Do not be easily deceived by their smile and charisma. You can actually research on the person or the company using the internet to find out his or her or the company’s background. Read feedback and commentaries from past clients. In addition, check if they are member of an accredited group to ensure that they are following the bylaws of gold trade.
Scratch Test
Using a small file, you can create a little scratch on the gold piece. Select a spot that is not so obvious. Use a dropper when applying nitric acid. If no change is evident, it means that the gold is real. If the scratch changed to green color then perhaps the gold is plated.
When dealing with gold, it is important to be wise. Examine the gold piece and your source. Do not be easily believe or deceive. There might be illegitimate company that may come your way and try to fake you. Check their legitimacy. Throw simple questions on them. If buying gold, consider the tips above and you will not be sorry. Gold is a valuable metal and it is only prudent that you get what your money is worth.
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