Counterfeiting of Gold Ingot

Gold bars (or can be called gold ingot) are sometimes counterfeited. The first obstacle to convincing counterfeits is the exceptionally high density of gold; if the density is not similar, even manual inspection (picking up the bar) or rough weighing can reveal counterfeiting. Few metals are of similar or higher density to gold, and most are more expensive than gold (notably the platinum group), or similarly expensive, with two notable exceptions: depleted uranium and tungsten. Of these, depleted uranium is generally regulated as a nuclear byproduct, while tungsten is more readily available (and closer in density), and has found use in counterfeiting. This can be done either by coating a tungsten bar in gold, which has occurred since at least the 1980s, or taking an existing gold bar, drilling holes, and replacing the removed gold with tungsten rods.

While the densities of gold and tungsten are close, they are not exactly the same (tungsten is 0.36% less dense), so careful weighing (of standard-sized bars) or density testing will reveal these simple counterfeits, and other properties of gold and tungsten differ, but gold-plated tungsten will pass superficial tests. Well-established gold bullion dealers have been known to use various methods (including ultrasonic technology) to verify the integrity of their gold bars.

Gold-plated tungsten bars (as well as pieces of jewelry) are available commercially from China (the main source of tungsten), primarily intended as inexpensive but impressive gifts.


Read More: gold ingot price