With the gold and silver market showing ever growing investments, more and more investors are choosing bullion to store and grow their wealth. With that, there is an increased demand for information on how to verify the authenticity of precious metal products. In this article we will explore the different ways to do this at home or with a reputable bullion dealer.

Mint Marks and Hallmarks:

When looking at the majority of investment grade silver, such as silver bars, silver coins and rounds, the first thing to look for is the markings. All pieces of silver should bear the mintmarks of it producer, if it doesn’t it should raise flags about its authenticity. Other stamps to take note of are the weight, purity and official hallmarks, and with coins mintage year, mintage marks and denomination.

Magnet test:

A lot of the metals used to counterfeit silver bars and coins are magnetic, such as iron and steel. Placing a strong magnet on your silver bar or silver coin should not cause it to attract, as silver is a non-magnetic element. If your bullion is sticking to the magnet it is almost certainly fake.

It is important to note that not all counterfeit bars use magnetic metal, so this method should be used alongside other methods.

Ice Test:

As silver is a highly conductive element, it contains a high storage of thermal energy. By placing an icecube on your silver bar, you can test its authenticity as silver has a high storage of thermal energy. On a genuine silver bar, the ice should start melting almost immediately. If no melting occurs, or is extremely slow, it can signify that metals other than silver are present.

As this is a rudimentary form of testing bullion, it is highly recommended to use this form of testing with other methods to be safe.

Acid Testing:

This is a cost-efficient method of testing all forms of precious metals. Acid testing works by using a small chemical reaction to confirm the purity of the bullion. When performing an acid test, be sure to thoroughly read the instructions paired with the kit, as improper use can cause damage to both your-self and the bar.

Cutting It Open:

This is not a preferred method of finding out whether your bullion is genuine, as it leaves your with a very damaged bar, and is definitely recommended as a last resort. However, it does allow you to see a clear cross section of the inside of the bar. Fake silver bars usually have a core that is made of a different material, such as tungsten or copper, and by cutting it open you will see a clear colour difference between the base metal core and the surrounding silver.

Buy Your Silver from a Trusted Bullion Dealer:

The most surefire way to ensure that your bullion is genuine is to buy your silver bullion from   a trusted and reputable bullion dealer. At SMP, you can be assured that all the bullion we stock and supply is authentic and genuine, as we are authorised distributors as of world renowned refiners Metalor and Umicore, stocking their full ranges of both gold and silver bullion. Furthermore, our own range of SMP brand bullion is manufactured in our in-house facility using LBMA-certified .999 silver grain.

View our full list of bullion offerings with up to date pricing here.