GOLD ACADEMY
Gold, explained clearly.
A practical foundation for better-informed decisions.
Purity and karat
24K means nearly pure gold. 18K contains 75% gold, 14K contains 58.5%, and 9K contains 37.5%. The balance consists of other metals added for colour and durability.
Spot price and retail price
The spot price is a reference for raw metal. A bar or coin usually sells above spot due to its premium. A dealer buying from you will commonly quote below spot.
Bars or coins
Bars often carry a lower premium. Widely recognised bullion coins may be easier to verify and resell.
Storage and verification
Check the dealer, certificate, serial number, weight and dimensions. Plan secure storage and retain purchase documents.
FEATURED GUIDE
How does the real price of gold work?
The price on a market chart is a spot reference for the metal, not necessarily the amount you will pay for a coin, bar or piece of jewellery. A retail quote also reflects purity, weight, currency conversion, fabrication premium, delivery and dealer margin. When you sell, the bid–ask spread matters as well. This is why two products containing the same amount of fine gold can trade at different prices. Our guide breaks down every part of the calculation and explains why checking purity, weight and buy-back terms can be just as important as watching the headline spot price.
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