Hi everyone, welcome to Precious Metals Mechanics by Ami Gur. There are many tools and instruments for verifying the authenticity of gold and silver bullion bars and coins. Each of these tools uses different physical properties, such as atomic structure in X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electrical conductivity in Sigma Metalytics, speed of sound in the “ping test” or ultrasonic test, density, and more. The variety of these instruments is vast, and I will dive into each of them in future posts.

But most importantly, let’s focus on the process of ensuring authenticity. Grab a coffee or a whisky as I explain the BSDC-ND 4-Step Process for Bullion Authenticity .

Introduction to BSDC-ND

BSDC-ND stands for Basic Surface, Density, and Core. The ND means Non-Destructive, which means we cannot cut, melt, or drill the bullion. Instead, we rely on sophisticated testing methods that preserve the integrity of the bullion while providing accurate results.

Step-by-Step Process  :

1. Basic (B)

• Initial Visual and Weight Check: Assess the bullion’s appearance and weight to identify obvious discrepancies. This step is crucial for detecting visible signs of tampering or counterfeiting. A magnet test can also be performed at this stage to check for ferromagnetic materials.

2. Surface (S)

• Surface Assay: This can be done using several techniques such as XRF, chemicals, Sigma order on eBay  link   (Eddy current principle), and AuRACLE PRO from GEMORO for testing surface conductivity. Usually, I prefer XRF as it provides the most accurate information.

3. Density (D)

• Density Measurement: Determine the bullion’s density through methods such as hydrostatic weighing, actual size measurements, Sigma, or digital density meters. Density is a fundamental property that can help distinguish between different metals and alloys.

4. Core (C)

• Core Analysis Using Ultrasonic Testing: Apply ultrasonic waves to check for internal flaws or inclusions. This step ensures that the bullion is solid and free of voids or foreign materials. The core can also be tested with Sigma Metalytics using the “thru” mode.

Summary

The BSDC-ND 4-Step Process for Bullion Authenticity is a procedure to follow and not a device. As there is no 100% guarantee for non-destructive authenticity for bullion verification, this process checks the bullion for different properties to generate higher confidence.

We hope you learned and enjoyed our discussion on the BSDC-ND 4-Step Process for Bullion Authenticity. We will see you soon for more interesting issues and cases. Follow our blog, Precious Metals Mechanics by Ami Gur, on www.agmetals.com or join our Facebook group, Precious Metals Mechanics. Remember our slogan: “Learn the mechanics, trade with confidence, reap the rewards.”

Watch our video demonstration of the BSDC-ND method.