Cutting Gold Bars with a Handheld Hydraulic Rebar Cutter: An Extra Layer of Assurance
In high-value transactions—such as buying or selling 1 kg gold bars, which can easily cost around $100,000—verifying authenticity is absolutely critical. While many prefer to melt the bar for a conclusive purity check, a simpler alternative is to cut and analyze a cross-section using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence).
One tool that can help with this process is a handheld hydraulic rebar cutter, such as the Steel Dragon Tools Handheld Hydraulic Rebar Cutter. Although these cutters are typically designed for steel rods and rebar, they are sturdy and powerful enough to slice through a
gold bar in order to expose its inner layers. By doing this, you can:
Confirm Authenticity
Cutting reveals if the bar is uniformly gold throughout—helping detect any tungsten or other metal inserts that might be hidden under a thin layer of gold plating.Save on Time and Costs
Rather than sending the entire bar off for melting and full refining, a quick cut and subsequent XRF inspection can confirm the bar’s integrity on the spot.Perform On-Site Analysis
After cutting, an XRF device can scan the exposed metal. This step offers a fast and non-destructive method to check purity levels before finalizing the deal.Negotiate Securely
Sellers can agree on a price upfront, with the condition that the bar will be cut. Once the cross-section proves the gold is genuine, payment proceeds. If the bar proves suspicious, losses are minimized.
For the highest assurance, a full melt and assay is the best method. However, when immediate checks are necessary, using a robust rebar cutter to open the bar and confirm its composition with XRF is a safe and straightforward solution.