Gold Bars Types, Weight and Purity

Interested to invest in gold? Why not invest your money in gold bars? They vary in types, weight and purity. Knowing these three basic things about this precious metal is rather important. The value of gold is increasing in the global market, as to speak. They are highly coveted for their consistency in purity and weight and its portability. There are so many different sizes and kinds of gold bars produced all over the world. Since manufacturers of these precious metals still follow basic gold standards, it is not difficult to evaluate the worth of them. If you are like the many who are keen to invest in these kind of precious bars, you need to understand first the different types, weight and purity of gold bars.

Types:

Today, there are more than thirty types of these precious bars manufactured around the world. When talking about value and high grade of these precious bars, one of the largest today is known as the Good Delivery gold bars. This type can be bought and sold from gold dealers in Europe, particularly London.

In India and other countries like Singapore, the most widely traded type of bar is called the "ten tola". Hardly ever, can one see a stamped bar with a serial number and weighing 3.75 oz (117g) a piece. Approximately, 2,000,000 of these ten tola or "TT" bars are casted each year.

Besides the Good Delivery and the Tentola gold bars, another popular type of bar is found in China. It is called the "five tael biscuit" bar (6 oz; 187g). In the main, this type is manufactured in Hong Kong.

In other parts of the world, the most desirable precious bar sold to private investors is known as the kilobar. It weighs around 1000g or 32.15 ounces. Each year, more than a million of these bars are manufactured in Switzerland.

Weight:

If interested in investing in these bars, one needs to understand that they are measured in ounces. The world's biggest precious bar measured precisely 250 kg or 551 lb. The famous corporation, which is the Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, manufactured it. The corporation is a subsidiary of the infamous Mitsubishi. When it was put on display July 11, 2005, it was worth of 400 million yen. At that time, 400 million yen is equals to $3,684,000 USD. Then again, not all can afford that kind of investment. Lucky today, one can now invest in these precious metals in reasonable amount. They are now on hand from $25 to $2.5 million, at professional bullion trade prices.

Purity

Evidently, manufacturers made it easier for investors to calculate the weight and purity of gold because these pieces of information are normally stamped on the gold bars together with the manufacturer's name.

Purity of gold is generally measured in karat, or carat. Pure gold is 24 carats. 18 carats is a combination of an alloy and gold. Simply putting three-quarters of gold and one-quarter other metals is 18 carats. 12 carats, on the other hand, is half gold and half another metal.

Gold bars are purchased in different quantities, amounts and sizes. The types given above are just some of the most common precious bars available in the global market. There are other types of precious bars like the Koban, Yin Yang, and Rainbow gold bars. Understand as well that the value of gold vary depending on the market and the weight of the gold bar being bought. Gold bars are valued by many because it symbolizes power and wealth. But the best thing about gold bars is that it can protect the wealth against inflation and other economic threats.