Authenticity guarantee for gold: how The Silver Mountain prevents fraud

When you buy gold, you want certainty about the authenticity of gold and to avoid the risk of gold fraud. Below we explain how we prevent fraud, how we test gold for authenticity, and which at-home checks you should and shouldn’t perform

At a glance

• Authenticity guarantee: we source only from recognised refineries and mints; all pre-owned items are re-tested. 
• LBMA-accredited gold bars with a sealed assay card and a unique serial number
• Security features on coins (e.g. micro-laser engraving, radial lines). Example: Gold Maple Leaf series
• Quick home checks: visual inspection, dimensions/weight and a magnet test
• Fraud signals: unrealistically low price, unclear provenance, no serial number/certificate.

How we prevent gold fraud

Working with recognised partners

We source gold bars and coins directly from reputable refineries and mints. New bars are delivered in a sealed assay card with a certificate and unique serial number (a one-to-one link between bar and certificate). Learn more about certificates: Certificates for gold explained .

LBMA standards

Our gold bars come from producers with LBMA Good Delivery status. This safeguards provenance, fineness and marketability; useful for resale and appraisals.

Security features on coins

Popular bullion coins (such as the Gold Maple Leaf) feature micro-laser engraving and radial lines that make counterfeiting more difficult.

Pre-owned: re-tested

For purchases and before resale of pre-owned coins and bars, we combine several non-destructive checks, including:

• Dimensions and mass (compared to official specifications),
• Density/ultrasonic/electrical conductance (eddy-current) tests,
• XRF analysis (alloy composition, non-destructive),
• Visual inspection (stamps, finish).

Testing gold for authenticity: what you can do yourself

Unsure about a purchase or an inheritance? Perform a basic check and buy from a recognised dealer, such as The Silver Mountain.

Visual inspection

• Watch for colour inconsistencies, rim damage and unclear stamps.
• Verify that the design matches official product photos/specs.

Dimensions and weight

• Compare diameter/thickness and mass with mint/refinery specifications. Even small deviations can be a red flag.
• Magnet test (quick indicator)

Gold is not magnetic. If a coin or bar reacts to a strong magnet, treat it as suspicious. Prefer not to use nitric acid or aggressive scratch tests at home: these are destructive and can reduce the item’s value. Safer methods and tips: Test gold and silver at home

Curious about our range of gold from certified suppliers? View our selection here.

Disclaimer: The Silver Mountain does not provide investment advice and this article should not be considered as such. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.