Fine gold is renowned for its unparalleled purity, but have you ever wondered why it is not classified as 100% pure? In this article, we will discuss fine gold purity and shed light on the reasons behind its remarkable 99.999% standard. At J Blundell and Sons, we offer LBMA approved bars, guaranteeing the utmost purity in new gold bar products at ‘four nines’ of 99.99%. Do note that purity above 99.9% is globally considered as Fine Gold.
The Quest for Ultimate Purity:
To understand why fine gold is not 100% pure, let’s explore the refining process. According to the Royal Canadian Mint, gold undergoes a two-stage refinement procedure. Initially, the Miller chlorination process is employed, refining gold to a high degree of .995 purity. Subsequently, the Mint adopts the Wohlwill electrolytic process, which further refines the gold to 99.99%+ purity. It can ven reach 99.999% and 99.9999%+ for bullion and collectible coins. Refining commences with the reception of doré, a new product from mines, and primary refiners like the Mint also process recycled scrap such as jewelry and coins. By utilizing a semi-refined product containing at least half base metal, they produce fine metal of exceptional quality.
The Limitations of Attaining 100% Purity:
Creating 100% pure gold is technically unfeasible, making 99.9% fine gold the industry standard for “pure” gold. Even the most esteemed mints, like Australia’s Perth Mint, have achieved a fineness of 99.9999% (referred to as “six nines”). This impressive level of purity is a mere 0.0001% shy of being entirely pure gold.
The Global Pursuit of Purity:
Across the globe, reputable mints endeavor to produce gold coins of exceptional purity. For instance, The Royal Mint’s gold Britannia coinis minted to a fineness of 999.9. The Perth Mint of Australia remains dedicated to pure gold coins despite the cost implications of achieving ‘six nines’ fineness. Additionally, the Canadian Royal Mint produces their Maple coin series in 24-karat gold, boasting a rivalry with the Perth Mint. The Canadian Royal Mint has achieved an impressive purity level of “five nines” (99.999%) for their gold coins.
Conclusion:
While 100% pure gold may be an elusive goal, global standard for Fine Gold is any purity is higher that 99.9%. At J Blundell and Sons, we pride ourselves on providing only the 99.99% fine gold bars. Our commitment to purity ensures that you can invest in gold with confidence and enjoy the brilliance of this remarkable precious metal.
References:
- Royal Canadian Mint: Refining and Assaying (www.mint.ca)
- London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Approved Refiners List (www.lbma.org.uk)
