Sign In or Create Account

Knowledge Center

What is the Difference Between Gold In Assay and Gold With Assay?

Two one ounce bars side by side, slightly overlapping.

The Difference Between Gold Products In Assay and With Assay

Have you encountered the phrases “in assay” and “with assay” while buying precious metals? Is one better than the other or do they mean the same thing?

When purchasing gold, it is important to know the level of purity or fineness, as this can affect the value and quality of the gold. An assay can help ensure that the gold being purchased is of the expected quality and purity, as determined by the assay results.

There is no difference between precious metals products sold in assay and those sold with assay.

Both of these terms indicate that the product is being sold with an assayer’s report, which verifies authenticity and quality or purity. The assay card should have the refiner’s name, purity and weight of the gold, the product’s serial number, as well as the organization that performed the assay.

What Else Should I Be Aware of?

The quality of the assay report is most important, as well as an assay card sealed with the product in tamper evident packaging. If you are unsure about a product for sale or if you are unsure about the seller, verify the credentials and reputation of the organization that conducted the assay. 

Quick Guides to Investing

Step 1:

Why Buy Physical Gold and Silver?

If you are concerned about the volatility of the stock market, you’re not alone. The extreme highs and lows of the stock market often lead investors towards safe-haven assets, like bullion. Historically, the Precious Metals market has an inverse relationship with the stock market, meaning that when stocks are up, bullion is down and vice versa.

Step 2:

How Much Gold and Silver Should You Have?

This question is one of the most important for investors to answer. After all, experts suggest limits on how much of any types of investments should go into a portfolio. After deciding to purchase and own Precious Metals and considering how much money to allocate, one can then think about how much and what to buy at any point in time.

Step 3:

Which Precious Metals Should I Buy?

With the frequent changes in the market and countless Precious Metal products available, choosing investments can be difficult. Some want Gold or Silver coins, rounds or bars while others want products that are valuable because of their design, mintage or other collectible qualities. Also, collectors may shop for unique sets and individual pieces for their collections.

Step 4:

When to Buy Gold & Silver

After considering why, how much, and what Precious Metals products to buy, an investor’s next step is when to buy them. This decision requires an understanding of market trends and the impact of economic factors on precious metal prices.

Explore More On APMEX

Silver

Platinum

Rare Coins