Discover the True Value of Gold: A Timeless Gift for the New Year
Gold is one of the most valuable natural metals in the world, admired for its brilliant shine, timeless beauty, and scientific properties that make it unique. It’s no wonder that gold has been a symbol of wealth and prosperity for centuries and remains highly sought after across the globe.
As the New Year approaches, many people are looking for meaningful and valuable gifts to give to loved ones. Gold jewelry and gold bars are always great choices — whether as a personal investment or a symbol of appreciation.
However, with recent concerns about real gold vs. fake gold, many buyers and investors are worried about purchasing authentic gold. To help you make the right choice, Akara, a trusted gold producer in Thailand, is here to share valuable insights about gold authenticity and how to choose the right type of gold.
Gold: The Origin of Preciousness
Gold is one of the world’s most precious metals, formed through complex geological processes and often found in quartz veins, granite rocks, and placer deposits. Its distinctive features — bright yellow color, softness, and malleability — make it easy to shape. Additionally, gold is resistant to corrosion and does not react with most chemicals, making it durable and long-lasting.
Beyond its scientific uniqueness, gold has held a significant role in human history. It has been a symbol of wealth and power across various civilizations, including in Thailand and around the world.
Historically, gold was used as the ‘gold standard,’ the world’s first international monetary system, which pegged currency value to gold reserves. Although this system was eventually discontinued, gold continues to be a crucial part of the global financial system.
Gold is widely regarded as a safe-haven asset, especially during economic crises. Its value tends to rise when other assets decline, making it a reliable investment. Beyond its financial significance, gold holds deep cultural and religious importance. It is often used in religious rituals, traditional ceremonies, and as jewelry, symbolizing status, prosperity, and elegance.
From Ore to Gold: The Process Behind Beauty and Prosperity
Extracting gold from ore is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge, expertise, tools, technology, and innovation. The main steps involved in gold extraction from ore are as follows:
- Crushing: The gold ore is finely ground and mixed with process water to form a slurry.
- Extraction: In this step of the gold extraction process, sodium cyanide is used to dissolve gold from the ore. The dissolved gold is then adsorbed onto activated carbon before being stripped to obtain the pregnant eluate. Gold and silver recovery from the pregnant eluate is achieved through electrowinning, followed by the smelting process to produce Doré bars. A key innovation in this step is the precise control of sodium cyanide usage, which enhances both efficiency and environmental responsibility.
- Refining: After gold is extracted, it undergoes a refining process to achieve the highest level of purity. The purified gold is then crafted into fine jewelry or used in various industrial applications.
At Akara, we are committed to responsible mining practices that prioritize safety, environmental protection, and community well-being. We uphold some of the highest safety standards in the global gold mining industry by adopting modern, environmentally friendly technologies. Our innovations include precise cyanide management, secure tailings storage facilities with leak-proof systems that meet international standards, and a zero-release policy to prevent tailings from entering the environment. We also recycle water from the production process and use advanced blasting technologies to reduce noise and dust, minimizing the impact on surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Clarifying the Differences: Pure Gold vs. Karat Gold vs. Fake Gold – Know the Facts to Avoid Being Fooled
When it comes to gold, purity is the most critical factor that determines both its value and properties. Understanding the differences between pure gold, karat gold, and fake gold is essential to ensure you make informed decisions when buying or investing in gold. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Pure Gold (24K): The Standard of Preciousness
Pure gold, also known as 24K gold, is considered the highest standard of real gold, with a purity level of 99.99%. This means that out of 1,000 parts, 999.9 parts are pure gold. However, in Thailand, the standard purity for gold is 96.5% (equivalent to 23.16K), as regulated by the Gold Traders Association and the Consumer Protection Board (CPB).
Pure gold has a rich yellow color, is soft, and can be easily shaped. However, it is also prone to scratching and can be marked with even slight pressure. Due to its softness, 24K gold is primarily used for making gold bars, gold coins, and certain types of jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets.
2. Karat Gold: The Perfect Balance of Strength and Purity
Karat gold refers to gold that has been combined with other metals, reducing its purity while increasing its strength and durability. The term “K” or “Karat” indicates the proportion of pure gold in the gold alloy. The higher the karat value, the greater the percentage of pure gold.
Common metals used to alloy with gold include silver and copper, which enhance the strength, durability, and color of the gold, making it more suitable for various applications.
Karat gold is widely used in jewelry, electronics, electrical appliances, and even in transportation and communication industries. Here are the most popular types of karat gold and their specific uses:
- 18K Gold: Contains 75% pure gold, giving it a rich white-yellowish color. It is highly popular for fine jewelry.
- 14K Gold: Contains 58.33% pure gold, with a white-yellow hue. This type of gold alloy is commonly used in jewelry and electronics due to its durability and affordability.
- 9K Gold: Contains 37.5% pure gold, resulting in a pale-yellow color. It is often used for affordable jewelry and electronic components.
3. Fake Gold: How to Identify Imitations and Avoid Being Deceived
Because gold is a highly valuable commodity, it often attracts counterfeiters looking to deceive buyers with fake gold. Fake gold typically has very low purity or is plated with a thin layer of gold over cheaper metals, giving it the appearance of genuine gold. However, its value and properties are vastly different from real gold.
Understanding how to spot fake gold is essential to protect yourself from scams. Here are some simple yet effective gold testing methods to help you identify real gold vs. fake gold.
How to Spot Fake Gold: 5 Simple Methods
- Check for a Stamp: Genuine gold will have a purity stamp indicating its quality, such as 96.5%, 99.99%, or 24K, 18K. If the item lacks a stamp, it may be fake.
- Magnet Test: Real gold is non-magnetic and will not be attracted to magnets. If the item is pulled toward a magnet, it is likely fake gold.
- Hardness Test: Pure gold is soft and can be easily scratched. If you lightly scratch or bite the gold, it will leave a mark. If it doesn’t, it could be fake.
- Gold Testing Solution: A gold testing solution can help determine authenticity. This method is often used by professionals to verify whether a piece is genuine gold.
- Price Check: Gold prices are regulated by the Gold Traders Association. If an item is being sold at a suspiciously low price, such as during extreme promotions or discounts, it may be fake gold.
Akara: Thailand’s World-Class Gold Mine — From Quality Gold for Thai People to Global Recognition
At Akara, we are committed to producing gold that meets international standards. With our vision of “Thai Gold for Thais, Reaching the World,” Akara has partnered with PMR (Precious Metal Refining Company Limited) to refine our doré bars into 99.99% pure gold, adhering to global quality standards.
This refined gold is then delivered to Ausiris, a renowned business rooted in traditional Thai goldsmithing, where it is crafted into high-quality gold jewelry for global export.
Our integrated process connects Thailand’s gold industry from mining to refining to jewelry production, creating a seamless supply chain. By ensuring that our products meet Free Trade Agreement (FTA) requirements, we benefit from reduced import duties in partner countries. Additionally, we use locally sourced gold and silver, further strengthening Thailand’s competitive edge in the global gold market. This initiative plays a significant role in strengthening the Thai economy by reducing the need for gold imports, thereby minimizing the country’s trade deficit. Additionally, it positions Thailand as a prominent gold production and trade hub within Southeast Asia, enhancing the nation’s reputation in the global gold market while promoting local industry growth and sustainability.
After learning about the gold extraction process and understanding the differences between pure gold, karat gold, and fake gold, you can confidently choose genuine gold for New Year’s gifts or other special occasions. However, to ensure the quality, it is essential to purchase gold from trusted stores where you can verify the gold’s purity stamp and obtain a certificate of authenticity to guarantee the legitimacy of the gold.
