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MAISON JADE Club
The Connoisseur's Guide

The Art of Understanding Gold

Five levels from fundamentals to Swiss storage. Everything you need to evaluate gold with confidence — whether acquiring your first bar or diversifying a portfolio.

Level 1

Gold Fundamentals

Before evaluating purity or provenance, understand what makes gold extraordinary — and why it has endured as a store of value for millennia.

5,000+ Years

History

Gold has been valued by every major civilization since at least 3,000 BCE. From Egyptian pharaohs to modern central banks, it remains the universal symbol of wealth and the oldest continuously traded asset.

Au 79

Properties

Atomic number 79, density 19.3 g/cm³. Gold is virtually indestructible — it does not corrode, tarnish, or react with most chemicals. It is also the most malleable and ductile metal known: one ounce can be hammered into a sheet of 9 m².

~3,000 t/year

Scarcity

Total gold ever mined: approximately 212,000 tonnes. Annual mine production is roughly 3,000 tonnes and declining as deposits become harder to access. All the gold ever mined would fit in a cube of just 22 meters per side.

212,000 t Total ever mined
19.3 g/cm³ Density
1,064°C Melting point
22 m Cube of all gold

Precious Metals

  • Gold (Au)
  • Silver (Ag)
  • Platinum (Pt)
  • Palladium (Pd)
  • Rhodium (Rh)

Gold Alloy Colors

  • Yellow Gold
  • White Gold
  • Rose Gold
  • Green Gold
Level 2

Purity & Karat

Gold purity is measured in karats (parts per 24) or millesimal fineness (parts per thousand). Higher purity means softer metal but greater intrinsic value.

9k
14k
18k
22k
24k

999.9 Fine24 Karat

24k gold is 99.99% pure gold (999.9 fineness). This is the standard for investment-grade bars and is the purest commercially available form. It is too soft for most jewelry but ideal for bullion.

LBMA Good Delivery bars are refined to a minimum of 995.0 fineness, though most Swiss refiners deliver 999.9. The 1 kg bar is the most widely traded standard globally.

Investment standard: 999.9 fineness. Look for LBMA-accredited refiner hallmarks.

916 Fine22 Karat

22k gold is 91.67% pure gold (916 fineness), alloyed with copper, silver, or zinc for durability. It is the traditional standard for gold coins and high-end jewelry in the Middle East and Asia.

The South African Krugerrand — the world's most widely held gold coin — is 22k, as are British Sovereigns and American Eagles. The alloy makes these coins more resistant to scratching and wear.

The coin standard: 22k balances purity with physical durability for circulation.

750 Fine18 Karat

18k gold is 75% pure gold (750 fineness). This is the most common standard for fine jewelry worldwide, particularly in Europe and Switzerland. It offers an excellent balance of purity, durability, and color.

The remaining 25% is alloyed with other metals to create different colors: copper for rose gold, palladium or nickel for white gold, silver for a greener hue. Swiss watchmakers universally use 18k for gold cases.

The jewelry standard: 18k is the benchmark for Swiss watches and European fine jewelry.

585 / 375 Fine14k & 9k

14k (585 fineness, 58.5% gold) is common in the United States and Germany. 9k (375 fineness, 37.5% gold) is the legal minimum in the UK and Australia. Both are more affordable and harder than higher-karat alloys.

Lower karat gold is more durable for everyday wear but contains significantly less gold by weight. It is generally not considered for investment purposes. Color tends to be less saturated than 18k or 22k.

Everyday wear: more durable but lower gold content. Not suitable for investment.
Level 3

Forms of Gold

Gold can be acquired in several forms. Each has distinct characteristics for investment, collection, or personal use.

Criteria Bars (Bullion) Coins Jewelry
Typical Purity 999.9 (24k) 916–999.9 (22–24k) 750 (18k) typical
Premium over Spot Low (1–3%) Medium (3–8%) High (craftsmanship)
Liquidity Very high — globally traded High — recognized worldwide Lower — resale at melt value
Storage Vault / Zollfreilager Vault or home safe Worn or safe
Swiss VAT Exempt (investment gold) Exempt (recognized coins) 8.1% applies

Bars & Ingots

Available from 1 gram to 12.5 kg (LBMA Good Delivery). The 1 kg bar is the global standard for institutional trading. Smaller bars (1 oz, 100 g, 250 g) are popular with private investors. Each bar carries a unique serial number, refiner hallmark, weight, and fineness stamp.

Coins

Krugerrand (1967, 22k), Maple Leaf (24k), American Eagle (22k), Philharmonic (24k), Vreneli (1897–1949, 900 fine). Coins carry numismatic and historical value beyond their gold content. Swiss Vreneli coins are particularly prized by European collectors.

Silver & PGMs

Silver, platinum, and palladium are also traded as precious metals. Unlike investment gold, silver is subject to 8.1% VAT in Switzerland (MWSTG Art. 107). Platinum and palladium are primarily industrial metals with investment applications.

Level 4

LBMA & Swiss Refiners

The London Bullion Market Association sets the global standard for gold bar quality. Four of the world's leading refiners are based in Switzerland.

Refiner Founded Location Note
PAMP SuisseLBMA Accredited 1977 Castel San Pietro, Ticino Known for the iconic Fortuna design. Part of MKS PAMP Group. Produces bars from 1 g to 12.5 kg.
ValcambiLBMA Accredited 1961 Balerna, Ticino World's largest single-site refiner. Processes over 2,000 tonnes annually. Pioneer of CombiBar™ divisible bars.
Argor-HeraeusLBMA Accredited 1951 Mendrisio, Ticino Joint venture between Heraeus and partners. Leading refiner for the watch and jewelry industry.
MetalorLBMA Accredited 1852 Marin-Epagnier, Neuchâtel Oldest Swiss refiner, over 170 years of continuous operation. Strong presence in industrial precious metals.

Why LBMA Certification Matters

An LBMA Good Delivery bar has been refined by an accredited refiner, meets strict standards for weight (350–430 troy oz for large bars), fineness (minimum 995.0), and marking. LBMA accreditation is the global benchmark for trust — it ensures your gold is accepted by banks, dealers, and vaults worldwide.

Level 5

Storage & Swiss Advantages

Switzerland offers unique advantages for precious metals storage. Understanding your options is essential.

Important Notice — This content is educational only and does not constitute investment, financial, or tax advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Zollfreilager

Swiss bonded warehouses (Zollfreilager) allow duty-deferred storage of precious metals. Gold stored in these facilities remains outside the customs territory:

  • No VAT until withdrawal for domestic use
  • Fully insured and audited
  • Can be traded while in storage
  • Available in Zürich, Geneva, and other locations

VAT Exemption

Under Swiss law (MWSTG Art. 107), investment gold is exempt from value-added tax:

  • Gold bars: 995.0+ fineness, VAT-exempt
  • Gold coins: recognized legal tender coins, VAT-exempt
  • Silver bars/coins: subject to 8.1% VAT
  • Jewelry: subject to 8.1% VAT

Allocated vs Unallocated

Two fundamental storage models exist for precious metals:

  • Allocated: Your specific bars, segregated and identified by serial number. You own the physical metal.
  • Unallocated: A claim on a pool of gold held by a bank. Lower fees but counterparty risk.
  • For UHNW clients, allocated storage with a Swiss vault is the standard recommendation.

Disclaimer — MAISON JADE Club does not provide investment advice, manage assets, or act as a financial intermediary. This page is for educational purposes only. Any purchase decision should be based on personal preference and independent professional advice.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Karat (k) measures gold purity — parts of gold per 24 parts total. 24k is pure gold. Carat (ct) measures diamond weight — one carat equals 200 milligrams. Though they share an etymology (from the carob seed), they measure entirely different things.
999.9 fineness (24k) is the investment standard. Look for bars from LBMA-accredited refiners such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus, or Metalor. Each bar should carry the refiner's hallmark, a unique serial number, and certified weight and fineness.
Investment gold (bars of 995.0+ fineness and recognized gold coins) is exempt from Swiss VAT under MWSTG Art. 107. Silver, platinum, and gold jewelry are subject to the standard 8.1% VAT rate.
A Good Delivery bar meets the London Bullion Market Association's standards: 350–430 troy ounces (approximately 10.9–13.4 kg), minimum 995.0 fineness, produced by an LBMA-accredited refiner. These bars are accepted by central banks, exchanges, and institutional dealers worldwide.
A Zollfreilager (bonded warehouse) is a Swiss customs-free storage facility. Precious metals stored inside are technically not yet imported into Switzerland, so no VAT applies until withdrawal for domestic use. These vaults are fully insured, regularly audited, and allow trading of stored metals.
Allocated storage means your specific bars are segregated and identified by serial number — you own the physical metal directly. Unallocated storage is a claim on a pool, with lower fees but counterparty risk. For significant holdings, allocated storage with a reputable Swiss vault provider is generally recommended.
The Swiss Vreneli is a gold coin minted between 1897 and 1949 (with some later dates). It contains 5.81 grams of gold at 900 fineness (21.6k). Named after a Swiss folk figure, it is one of Europe's most recognized gold coins and is particularly popular with Swiss and European collectors.
MAISON JADE Club is a personal shopping concierge, not a dealer. Your concierge can source LBMA-certified gold bars and coins from authorized dealers in Switzerland, assist with vault storage arrangements, and provide a digital certificate of origin for every acquisition.

Questions about gold? Your concierge is happy to explain — no obligation, no pressure.

Get in Touch

This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, or tax advice. MAISON JADE Club is an independent concierge service, not affiliated with or endorsed by LBMA, PAMP, Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus, Metalor, or any brand mentioned. All information is believed to be accurate but is provided without warranty.