Testing metals Face to Face

M

MetalBug

Member
I started a previous thread on best practices when dealing face to face with metal trading, and got some good responses.

Am now curious as to best practices on making sure the metals you are buying are legit?

Do people weight bars or just go on the visual look of the product. Do they do specific gravity tests at the coffee shop table?

Any advice and comments appreciated.
 
Bring scales if you must ,I only did that on my first trade
If you don't trust the seller / can't pick a fake when it's in your hand

You shouldn't be buying bullion
 
IMHO, specific gravity test might be an overkill.

Scale is fine for bars, but you may run into problems weighing coins that come in capsules because the scale will show you the weight of the coins + the capsule, an information that is not usually available (unless you want to take the coin out of the capsule).

If I don't trust the seller or something looks wrong, I'd suggest bringing the item to the nearest gold/silver shop where an XRF machine is present. Ask the shop owner to conduct a test (they'll usually do it for free, but it really depends whether they want to do it or not), and go on from there.
 
Do a simple visual and feel inspection test. If it looks legit but you're still having doubts check it after you get home.
 
A Magnet has a slight attraction/repulsion to silver but if you are suss, buy from known and trusted dealers.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Alfie
 
I take it biting the coin isn't an accepted practice anymore given no one has mentioned it.
I will have to remember to stop doing that. :P
 
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