The detection instrument is difficult to distinguish! Experts urgently remind that rhenium doped gold is appearing on the market

Jimu News reporter Shi Qian

The recent rise in gold prices has further stimulated consumers' enthusiasm to save money. As a result, new tricks have emerged for gold adulteration - adding metallic rhenium to gold to impersonate gold. Industry insiders say that most of the adulterated gold previously added with iridium and tungsten can be detected through instruments. And the density of rhenium is close to that of gold, making it difficult to detect. It needs to be processed and melted to detect the weight shrinkage of gold.

Rhenium containing small gold beans

Gold shops and banking professionals are calling on consumers to save money and purchase from banks and well-known brand gold shops to avoid buying adulterated gold. Experts also remind young people to save money by first understanding the relevant knowledge of the gold market and gold investment, in order to avoid purchasing low-quality or counterfeit goods, not blindly following the trend, and should invest rationally.

Gold products containing rhenium appear in the market

Brand gold stores offer more security when buying gold

Recently, Mr. Liu, who is responsible for managing a branded gold store on Jianghan Road in Wuhan, stated that when customers were using small gold beans or bars purchased elsewhere for processing, they found that the weight of the gold had significantly decreased. "For example, for one gram of small gold beans, there is only 0.7 grams of gold, and the remaining 0.3 grams are rhenium." Mr. Liu immediately posted on his social media, reminding consumers to be wary of new tricks of gold adulteration.

Mr. Liu told Jimu News reporters that previously, gold was often adulterated by the addition of metals such as iridium and tungsten. If consumers suspect the purity of gold after purchasing, it is easier to identify it using professional instruments for testing. However, gold mixed with rhenium is difficult to detect with ordinary instruments, and even requires melting and processing to detect the weight shrinkage of gold. This type of adulterated gold has a stronger concealment.

According to data, the density of rhenium is 21.04 grams per cubic centimeter, and the density of gold is 19.32 grams per cubic centimeter. The densities of the two are similar, and there is no abnormal texture after adulteration. Therefore, when the spectrometer does not add "rhenium spectral lines", it is difficult for the gold analyzer to distinguish the peak positions of "rhenium" and gold, thus erroneously calculating the rhenium content into the gold content. For example, if 99.9% of the gold content is detected, only 80% or less of the gold content is actually detected, resulting in a loss of over 15%.

"Gold beans or bars priced lower than gold have a risk of adulteration." Mr. Liu gave an example, taking the listing price on Saturday, September 19th, as an example, the gold price was 576 yuan. But some gold beans or bars are priced at around 470 yuan per gram, which is significantly lower than the listed gold price. If purchased through informal channels, there is a risk involved.

The recent rise in gold prices has attracted many young people to buy small gold beans to save money. However, banks and well-known brand gold shops generally do not sell small gold beans and mainly sell gold bars. Many young people save money by purchasing through online channels. Mr. Liu suggests that consumers should try to choose banks or well-known brand gold stores as these channels are more secure when buying gold.

A staff member of Bohai Bank explained that the bank does not sell small gold beans, and the physical gold is mainly gold bars. What banks sell are all full funds, which is more secure than online channels. Xiaojindou only has a beautiful appearance, and even pure gold Xiaojindou, which is not adulterated, has lower collection value and monetization ability than gold bars. Staff from Bank of China and Wuhan Rural Commercial Bank also stated that the bank does not sell small gold beans, and it is safer for consumers to purchase gold bars.

Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences and the Intelligent Social Governance Research Center of Renmin University of China, also reminds consumers to pay attention to retaining evidence when buying gold from online channels, in order to facilitate future rights protection. However, the difficulty of obtaining evidence and protecting rights through online channels is relatively high, so it is more recommended that consumers buy gold from legitimate channels, which is more secure.

It is best for consumers to purchase gold through legitimate channels

Brand gold stores offer more security when buying gold

IPG China Chief Economist Bai Wenxi pointed out that gold adulteration is often considered illegal. This behavior violates the Consumer Rights Protection Law, providing consumers with low-quality or counterfeit goods, and constitutes fraudulent behavior.

At present, it is relatively difficult to protect the rights of online channels because consumers cannot directly detect the actual situation of the products. If consumers suspect that the small gold beans they purchased are adulterated, they can contact the customer service of the relevant online store and request a return or compensation. If online stores are unable to meet consumer demands, they can seek legal assistance or file a complaint with relevant regulatory agencies.

Bai Wenxi suggests that when young people save money, they should first understand the relevant knowledge of the gold market and gold investment, and avoid buying low-quality or counterfeit goods. When purchasing Xiaojindou, it is best to choose well-known brands and legitimate channels to ensure product quality.

In addition, young people should develop reasonable plans based on their economic situation and the purpose of saving money, and not blindly follow the trend or invest excessively. When purchasing small gold beans, it is also necessary to pay attention to relevant consumption policies and regulations to avoid losses. Young people should view gold investment rationally, not as a means of quickly getting rich, but as a part of long-term investment.