At Mamba Gold Laboratory, we understand the importance of trust in the gold market, especially in Zambia where scams and fake gold are all too common. Our mission is to empower our customers with knowledge, transparency, and reliable service, ensuring that your gold transactions are safe, secure, and free from fraud.

How to Detect Gold Scams

The prevalence of fake gold in the market has led to the rise of scams involving counterfeit bars made of cheaper metals like bronze, copper, zinc, and even tungsten. To help you avoid these scams, we’ve compiled a guide with essential techniques to test gold authenticity. These simple, quick methods can save you from losing money on fake gold.

1. The Nitric Acid Test: A Quick and Reliable Check

One of the easiest ways to verify gold authenticity is with a nitric acid test. Here’s how it works:

• • Place a drop of nitric acid on the gold bar.
  • If the bar is made of base metals like bronze, copper, or zinc, the acid will cause a reaction—usually foaming and turning green or blue. This indicates a fake bar.
  • Genuine gold, however, remains unreactive when exposed to nitric acid. It won’t dissolve or foam, confirming its authenticity.

2. The Magnet Test: Gold Is Not Magnetic

Real gold is not magnetic, while fake gold made from metals such as tungsten can be. To perform the magnet test:

• • Run a strong magnet over the gold bar.
  • If the bar is attracted to the magnet, it’s likely made of tungsten or other magnetic materials, indicating a fake.
  • Some high-quality fakes use tungsten with gold plating, so this test helps to detect even these sophisticated counterfeits.

3. Recasting for Confirmation

After a gold bar passes the initial tests (nitric acid and magnet), a more thorough verification process involves melting and recasting the bar. This ensures:

• • The gold is of the right purity.
  • The core of the bar is not made of another metal, which could pass surface-level tests but still be a fake.

At Mamba Gold Laboratory, we use advanced testing equipment to verify gold’s authenticity, ensuring our customers receive exactly what they pay for. Whether you’re buying or selling gold, our professionals will guide you through the process, providing you with peace of mind and confidence.

Why Trust Mamba Gold Laboratory?

• • Expert Knowledge: Our team is experienced in the Zambian gold market and can quickly detect counterfeit bars with simple but effective tests.
  • Transparent Processes: We educate our customers on how we test for authenticity, so you’re never in the dark about the quality of the gold you’re buying or selling.
  • Commitment to Honesty: Trust is the foundation of our business, and we pride ourselves on maintaining long-term relationships with our clients based on integrity, honesty, and transparency.