Precious metal bullion bars—gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—are major targets for counterfeiters due to their high value and simple shape. While advanced tools like XRF and ultrasonic testing provide laboratory-level verification, collectors can screen bullion quickly and accurately using two reliable, physics-based methods: the ping test and density analysis. These techniques expose resonance and mass-to-volume inconsistencies that counterfeit alloys cannot convincingly imitate.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 212 — The Ping Test and Density Analysis: Verifying Precious Metal Bullion Bar Authenticity teaches the full, professional methodology behind acoustic and density testing. This guide explains how precious metals resonate, how to measure density correctly, how to detect tungsten-cored and plated bars, and how to integrate physical testing with visual inspection and supplemental tools.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Perform accurate ping tests using resonance, decay time, and harmonic purity
Compare tonal signatures between gold, silver, and common counterfeit alloys
Conduct precise density testing using Archimedes’ principle
Detect tungsten-cored, lead-filled, and alloy-based counterfeits
Measure bar dimensions and verify mint weight tolerances
Identify casting flaws, plating issues, machining marks, and incorrect serial formats
Use frequency-analysis apps to visualize acoustic patterns
Recognize the limitations of ping and density tests and when to escalate to XRF or ultrasound
Combine acoustic, density, visual, and digital methods for highest-confidence authentication
Volume 212 provides collectors, bullion buyers, and precious-metal investors with a complete, physics-driven authentication workflow—ensuring quick, reliable screening before making high-value purchases.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access
Precious metal bullion bars—gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—are major targets for counterfeiters due to their high value and simple shape. While advanced tools like XRF and ultrasonic testing provide laboratory-level verification, collectors can screen bullion quickly and accurately using two reliable, physics-based methods: the ping test and density analysis. These techniques expose resonance and mass-to-volume inconsistencies that counterfeit alloys cannot convincingly imitate.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 212 — The Ping Test and Density Analysis: Verifying Precious Metal Bullion Bar Authenticity teaches the full, professional methodology behind acoustic and density testing. This guide explains how precious metals resonate, how to measure density correctly, how to detect tungsten-cored and plated bars, and how to integrate physical testing with visual inspection and supplemental tools.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Perform accurate ping tests using resonance, decay time, and harmonic purity
Compare tonal signatures between gold, silver, and common counterfeit alloys
Conduct precise density testing using Archimedes’ principle
Detect tungsten-cored, lead-filled, and alloy-based counterfeits
Measure bar dimensions and verify mint weight tolerances
Identify casting flaws, plating issues, machining marks, and incorrect serial formats
Use frequency-analysis apps to visualize acoustic patterns
Recognize the limitations of ping and density tests and when to escalate to XRF or ultrasound
Combine acoustic, density, visual, and digital methods for highest-confidence authentication
Volume 212 provides collectors, bullion buyers, and precious-metal investors with a complete, physics-driven authentication workflow—ensuring quick, reliable screening before making high-value purchases.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access
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