Gold Standard Bullion Bars are investment-grade gold bars produced in accordance with internationally recognized standards for purity, weight, dimensions, markings, and traceability. They are manufactured by LBMA-accredited or globally recognized refineries and are widely accepted across bullion markets, exchanges, vaults, and central banks.
The term standard bullion bars typically includes London Good Delivery bars, COMEX-approved bars, and recognized kilobars, depending on market and trading context.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Typical Content |
|---|---|
| Gold (Au) | ≥ 99.5% |
| Silver (Ag) | Trace |
| Copper (Cu) | Trace |
| Other Metals | ppm-level impurities |
✔ No intentional alloying
✔ Assayed and certified purity
✔ Homogeneous gold matrix
✔ Modern bars often exceed 99.9–99.99% Au
Key Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 19.30 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1,064 °C |
| Boiling Point | 2,970 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~318 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~70% IACS |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 14.2 × 10⁻⁶ /K |
| Magnetic Behavior | Non-magnetic |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent |
Mechanical Properties
Due to near-pure gold content, standard bullion bars are soft and highly ductile. Mechanical strength is not critical; integrity, mass accuracy, and purity are the priorities.
| Property | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 20 – 35 HV |
| Tensile Strength | 100 – 200 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~90 – 110 MPa |
| Elongation | 40 – 50% |
| Malleability | Extremely high |
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
Crystal Structure: Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) — ensures extreme ductility and formability.
Strengthening Mechanisms:
✔ Minor solid-solution strengthening from trace Ag/Cu
✔ Limited work hardening from casting or pressing
❌ No heat treatment or precipitation hardening
Metallurgical Characteristics:
• Single-phase gold matrix
• No oxidation or corrosion
• No phase transformations
• Fully recyclable without degradation
Refining & Processing
Mine doré → Miller chlorination (~99.5%) → Wohlwill electro-refining (99.9–99.99%) → induction melting → casting or minting → assaying → serialization and certification.
Available Forms
✔ London Good Delivery bars (~400 troy oz)
✔ Kilobars (1 kg)
✔ 500 g / 250 g bars
✔ 100 g bars
✔ Exchange-approved bars (COMEX, SGE)
Manufacturing Styles:
• Cast bars (institutional)
• Minted bars (retail / semi-institutional)
Key Characteristics
✔ Globally recognized and trusted
✔ Extremely high liquidity
✔ Low premium over spot (large bars)
✔ Compact, high-value format
✔ Long-term store of value
Applications
Financial & Investment: Central bank reserves, bullion bank trading, ETFs, portfolio hedging
Vaulting & Settlement: Exchange settlement, inter-bank transfers, sovereign reserves
Refining: Feedstock for coins, minted bars, and industrial gold
Standard Bars vs Other Gold Forms
| Feature | Standard Bars | Coins | Jewelry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | ≥ 99.5% | 90 – 99.99% | 58 – 99% |
| Liquidity | Very High | High | Low |
| Premium | Low | Medium–High | Very High |
| Purpose | Investment | Investment / Collectible | Ornament |
| Global Acceptance | Universal | Limited | Limited |
Why Choose Standard Bullion Bars?
Standard bullion bars are the foundation of the global gold market. Their strict standardization, metallurgical purity, regulatory acceptance, and unmatched liquidity make them the preferred form of physical gold for central banks, institutions, and serious long-term investors worldwide.