01 / THE INVESTMENT CONTEXT
Where Gold Can Fit.
Gold is a scarce physical asset with investment, reserve, jewelry and industrial uses. Investors often consider it for diversification and a long-term store of value. Its behavior depends on the economic backdrop and the period measured; it does not protect against every market decline.
Gold generates no interest or dividend. Its resale value can fall, and the total result depends on buying and selling prices plus ownership costs. Consider how a purchase fits your liquidity needs, time horizon and other holdings. A qualified adviser can help assess your circumstances.
For an institutional perspective: IMF: Gold in Central Bank Reserves. This research discusses conditional diversification benefits, volatility and liquidity limits; it is not individual portfolio guidance.
02 / KNOW THE METAL
Weight, Purity And Bar Format.
Gold is quoted in troy ounces. One troy ounce is 31.1034768 grams; one kilogram is 1,000 grams, approximately 32.1507 troy ounces. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms and describes a total requirement, not necessarily one bar.
| Term | Meaning | What to request |
|---|---|---|
| Gross weight | Total weight of the bar or lot. | Weight per bar and aggregate lot weight. |
| Fineness | Gold content in parts per thousand. 999.0 = 99.9%; 999.9 = 99.99%. | Declared fineness and assay evidence. |
| Fine weight | Gross weight multiplied by the gold fraction. | The fine-gold quantity used for pricing. |
| Refinery | The producer and specific facility. | Exact legal name, mark and location. |
We source our offered bullion from an LBMA Good Delivery listed refiner. A refinery’s listing and a bar’s eligibility for a particular market are separate questions. LBMA explains that smaller bars, including kilobars, are not London Good Delivery bars simply because a listed refinery produced them. Check the exact specification and receiving facility’s acceptance criteria.
Sources: LBMA Good Delivery FAQs and technical specifications. Gold Express USA’s offered specification is 99.9%; availability and documents are confirmed in your offer.
03 / UNDERSTAND THE BENCHMARK
Spot Is A Reference.
The Offer Sets The Terms.
Our live feed supplies an indicative USD price for a troy ounce of gold. It is market context, not an executable purchase price or a price reservation. The named provider is Gold API; the feed is not presented as an official LBMA auction price.
Gross grams × purity fraction
÷ 31.1034768 × spot per troy ounce
A below-spot quote must identify the benchmark, timestamp, currency, fine-weight basis and price validity. Compare the complete purchase cost: metal price, transport, insurance, storage, verification and any applicable taxes or duties. Establish which items are included and who is responsible for the rest.
Physical products can trade at premiums or discounts to a benchmark. The World Gold Council notes that retail bars and coins commonly carry premiums and have storage and insurance considerations. A below-spot offer should still receive the same careful independent review.
Source: World Gold Council: investment bars and coins. Use the purity-adjusted calculator for a reference estimate.
04 / DUE DILIGENCE
Six Questions Before Commitment.
- Who is the counterparty? Establish the seller’s legal identity, authority to sell and independently verified contact information.
- What metal is offered? Reconcile refinery, form, quantity, gross weight, fineness and available serial numbers with the written offer.
- What supports authenticity? Request assay evidence and agree an independent inspection or testing process suitable for the bars and the receiving facility.
- Where is it held? Verify the actual location, custody records and release authority directly through independently obtained facility contact details.
- What does the price include? Document the reference, fees, validity period, conditions and any obligations if verification is unsuccessful.
- What triggers settlement? Agree the evidence, authorization and timing required for payment, title transfer and physical release.
For any claimed LBMA refinery status, check the named facility against the relevant current or former list and applicable production dates. A logo, broad “LBMA gold” description or shipping document alone does not establish the full chain of ownership or authenticity.
Reference: LBMA’s current gold refinery list. Responsible-sourcing documentation is another separate inquiry; see LBMA’s responsible-sourcing framework. These links do not imply that Gold Express USA is an LBMA member or accredited refiner.
05 / FROM OWNERSHIP TO RECEIPT
Make The Transfer Explicit.
Custody, transportation and legal ownership are related but distinct. Identify the parties, the facility, the exact metal, release instructions and insurance responsibilities. Determine when risk and title pass, and what confirmation each party must receive.
The proposed Gold Express USA process is Brinks-to-Brinks, with independent buyer verification and payment following confirmed transfer. The specific facility, inspection access, release authority, acceptance and settlement mechanism must be agreed in writing and independently confirmed. The website itself does not establish a carrier or vault contract.
Ask what happens if inspection identifies a discrepancy, a transfer is delayed, or a receiving facility declines the bars. Resolve these terms before authorizing a transaction.
06 / A STRONGER FIRST INQUIRY
Prepare A Useful RFQ.
Buying for manufacturing? See our industrial gold guide for wire, electronics and component-use requirements.
Include the total quantity and unit, preferred bar format, required purity, destination, receiving facility if known, target date, intended use and documentation requirements. For ongoing supply, distinguish the first allocation from the longer-term requirement.
Our sales contact is Sales@GoldExpressUSA.com. The current offer describes a 450 kg weekly supply program; this is indicative program capacity, not a live inventory count or a guaranteed allocation. Request confirmation of available quantity and timing in the seller’s written offer.
Discuss your bullion requirements ↗REFERENCE / THE LANGUAGE OF BULLION
A Concise Gold Glossary.
- Assay
- An analysis of a metal’s composition and purity.
- Bullion
- Precious metal in a standardized form, valued principally for metal content.
- Fineness
- The proportion of precious metal, expressed in parts per thousand.
- RFQ
- Request for quote: the buyer’s requirements submitted for pricing and terms.
- SCO
- A seller’s offer setting out the proposed supply and commercial terms. Review its exact legal effect.
- Spot
- A current market reference for the metal; a physical transaction can have a different final price.
- Spread
- The difference between relevant buying and selling prices.
- Troy ounce
- The precious-metals weight unit, equal to 31.1034768 grams.