Gold & Silver
How Fake Bullion Is Actually Detected
By NorwegianSpark Editorial — written with AI assistance and reviewed by the NorwegianSpark SA editorial team | Last updated: 2026-08-08
Why the obvious tests stopped working
Weight and dimensions were once sufficient because few metals share gold's density. Tungsten does, closely enough that a plated tungsten core can pass both checks.
The magnet test fails for the same reason: it detects ferrous content, and the metals of concern are not ferrous. It remains worth doing because it catches crude fakes instantly — it simply cannot clear a good one.
The sequence a dealer actually uses
Visual and dimensional inspection, against known specifications for that exact product. Counterfeits frequently miss on fine detail rather than on gross measurements.
Precise weight and measurement, checking not just mass but whether mass and volume agree.
Ultrasonic or conductivity testing, which probes the interior rather than the surface — this is the step that catches a plated core.
X-ray fluorescence, which reads surface composition accurately and is therefore powerful in combination with an interior test but not alone.
Destructive assay, used rarely and only where the value justifies damaging the item.
What this means for a private buyer
The interior tests require equipment and experience. That points to a different strategy: rather than trying to verify, buy in a way that does not require you to.
That means established dealers with traceable supply, widely recognised products rather than obscure ones, intact assay packaging left intact, and paperwork kept with the item. Our guide to trusted European dealers is the practical starting point.
The signals worth walking away from
A price meaningfully below the prevailing premium, a seller reluctant to allow independent verification, packaging that has been opened when it should not have been, and any pressure to complete quickly.
None of these prove a fake. All of them are reasons to stop, and none of them cost anything to act on.
Gold and collectibles carry risk and prices fluctuate — nothing here is financial advice. Consider your own situation or speak to a qualified adviser.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the magnet test prove gold is real?
No. Gold is not magnetic, but neither are several metals used in counterfeits — tungsten in particular. A magnet rules out some crude fakes and proves nothing on its own.
Why is tungsten used in counterfeit gold?
Its density is very close to that of gold, so a tungsten core plated in gold can match both the weight and the dimensions of a genuine bar. That defeats the two checks most private buyers rely on.
What is the most reliable check available to a private buyer?
Buying from an established dealer with a documented supply chain, and keeping products in intact assay packaging. Verification is a specialist function; avoiding the need for it is more practical than performing it.
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