Certified 23K Gold for Global Buyers

Purity and Definition

The “karat” system measures gold purity: 24K = pure gold, while 23K implies that 23 out of 24 parts are gold. In practice, many bars marked “23K” have a fineness around 0.958–0.965 (or ~95.8%–96.5%) gold content.
Many jurisdictions hallmark 23K gold jewellery and bars with 958 (i.e., 95.8%) fineness.
Example: A listing for “23K Gold Bars” describes these as “approximately 95.8%” pure.

Why 23K Instead of 24K?

Slight alloying (i.e., not 100% gold) gives the metal greater durability: pure 24K gold is quite soft, which can be a disadvantage in handling, manufacturing, or transport.
In certain markets (jewellery heavy markets, manufacturing hubs) 23K is standard for items that need to combine high gold content with structural strength.
Some regional standards (for example Thailand) prefer 23K for local use and portability.

Why Certified 23K Gold Matters for Global Buyers

When you’re buying gold internationally, certification and verification matter because you’re dealing with cross-border risks, taxation, transport, purity verification, and potentially export/import compliance. For 23K gold specifically:

Certification Ensures Purity & Traceability

A certified bar will come with key markings: refiner/hallmark, weight, fineness (e.g., 958 or 0.958 fine), serial number, manufacturer’s mark.
You should get an assay certificate or certificate of authenticity stating the fineness, weight and origin.
A certified bar is more likely to be accepted for resale in other markets, or to be used as collateral by financial institutions.

Global Marketplace Considerations

Buyers in different jurisdictions will ask: Is the bar from a recognised refiner? Is it accepted in major markets (London, Dubai, Singapore, etc.)?
If the gold is to be transported/exported, you’ll need proof that it complies with local export laws, purity requirements, and that it was legally sourced.
Premiums (over spot gold) and liquidity (ease of resale) depend heavily on how well-documented and globally recognised the product is.

Manufacturing / Jewellery Use

If the 23K gold is for jewellery production or other industrial/user fabrication (rather than pure investment bars), the certification matters not only for purity but for suitability (melting, alloying, manufacturing compatibility).

What to Look For When Buying Certified 23K Gold

Here’s a checklist and explanation of key aspects:

1. Purity & Fineness

The bar should state its fineness. For 23K you may see “958” (95.8%) or “965” (96.5%) fine.
Confirm that the fineness is independently verified by an assay or lab certificate.

2. Markings & Hallmarks

Refiner’s logo or hallmark.
Weight of the bar (grams, kilograms etc.).
Serial number (for larger bars) or batch number.
Purity marking (e.g., “.958 fine” or “958/1000”).

3. Certificate/Assay Report

Document from a credible assayer or refinery.
Should match the serial/bar markings.
Should mention date of assay, method, and signature/stamp.

4. Recognised Refiner & Good Delivery Listing

Preferably the refiner is known or listed on major good delivery lists or at least has international recognition.
Even if 23K is less common in major bullion markets, the more recognised the producer, the better for international resale.
Example: While 24K 999.9 bars dominate lists, you’ll still want strong provenance for 23K.

5. Packaging & Tamper-Proofing

Sealed blister packs, tamper evident packaging, integrity seals.
For export, packaging must retain condition for inspection.

6. Chain of Custody & Origin

From mine → refinery → distributor → you.
For cross-border purchases: check export licences, origin documentation, KYC/AML compliance.

7. Resale & Liquidity

Ask whether the bar/refiner is easily accepted for resale in other markets.
Smaller bars might carry higher premium; larger bars may be less liquid in some jurisdictions if 24K is standard.

8. Legal & Export Compliance

Check your country’s rules for importing/exporting gold.
Ensure the seller has export capability or you can handle logistics.
Be aware of taxation, customs duties, and shipping costs.

Typical Sizes & Formats for 23K Gold Bars

Though 24K remains the dominant investment grade for gold bars internationally, 23K bars exist especially in certain regional markets (Asia, Middle East) and for jewellery manufacturing.

You may find bars in these sizes:

Small: 1 g, 5 g, 10 g (often minted and for entry-level investment or gifting).
Medium: 50 g, 100 g — popular for investment when 23K is recognised locally.
Large: 1 kg and upwards — less common in 23K format globally but possible when refining is aligned to manufacturing or regional standard.
Custom/Manufacturing Bars: For jewellery makers, raw cast bars in 23K may be sold in large lots (e.g., 5kg, 10kg) for downstream processing.

Pros & Cons of 23K Gold Compared to 24K / 999.9 Bars

Pros

Slightly more durable (less soft) due to minimal alloying.
Potential cost-savings if market accepts 23K and premium is lower.
Suitable for mixed use: investment + manufacturing.

Cons

Lower global liquidity: many major bullion markets favour 999.9 (24K).
May require stronger justification or explanation when exporting or reselling internationally, depending on destination jurisdiction.
Premiums may be less standardised, and discount at resale may be larger if buyer prefers 24K.

How Global Buyers Should Approach Purchase of Certified 23K Gold

Step‐by-Step Buying Process

Define your objective – Are you buying for pure investment, manufacturing, resale, or export? Your purpose affects size, purity, and resale strategy.
Select recognised refiner/distributor – Choose suppliers with strong reputation, certification, export experience, and proof of origin.
Check product specifications – Purity, size, form (cast, minted), markings, serial, assay certificate.
Conduct due diligence on documentation – Ask for past supply records, assay reports, chain of custody, refiner accreditation.
Understand cost structure – Spot gold + premium + shipping + insurance + duties/taxes. For 23K bars, evaluate if premium is reasonable given liquidity.
Plan logistics – Secure shipping, insurance, customs clearance if export. Choose reputable couriers with gold-handling capability.
Arrange storage or to mark for manufacturing – If you’re not taking delivery, validate vault/custody options. If manufacturing, ensure bar specification fits production needs.
Prepare for resale or exit – Check market for how 23K bars are accepted in your region; maintain all paperwork to ease this process.

Potential Use-Cases for Certified 23K Gold

Jewellery manufacturers: Using 23K as input material because it bridges high gold content with better workability.
Emerging market investors: Some regions prefer 23K due to local demand or cultural norms (for example, in Southeast Asia).
Gifting / luxury bars: Bars aligned with regional standard purity may be more acceptable locally and carry prestige.
Diversification: For portfolios that already have 24K exposure, 23K may provide another layer with slightly different liquidity/resell features.

Risks & Mitigation

Risk	Mitigation Strategy
Lower purity than 24K → potential discount at resale	Ensure you understand market acceptance for 23K in your region; ask about resale history.
Counterfeit / mis-labelled bars	Use trusted refiners; verify assay certificates; inspect markings; test when possible.
Export/import compliance issues	Check your destination country’s import rules for gold; ensure the bar can legally cross borders with documentation.
Liquidity concerns	Choose bars from recognised refiners; maintain full paperwork; size bars to manageable resale/sale lots.
Premiums too high	Compare offers internationally; ensure premium is justified relative to spot and size.

Current Market Observations

Market pricing for 23K gold exists: e.g., in Uganda the price for 23K gold per gram is listed at ~ UGX 435,537.84 per gram.
Purity codes such as “.958 fine” appear for 23K gold in certain listings.
In jewellery context, hallmarking including 23K is recognised in some countries.
Nevertheless, major international bullion markets typically list bars at 999.9 (24K) purity, so 23K remains a niche format requiring care.

Practical Example: How a 23K Bar Might Look

Weight: 100 g
Purity to be stamped: “958 fine” (or “95.8% Au”)
Markings: Manufacturer’s logo, bar weight, serial number, “23 K” or “23K,” origin country
Packaging: Tamper-sealed blister pack, with assay certificate stating “Weight: 100 g, Purity: 958/1000, Refiner: XYZ, Date: ______”
Documentation: Invoice, origin/refiner declaration, export-compliant paperwork (if applicable)

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

If you are considering purchasing certified 23K gold globally, you can do so — but you’ll need to approach it with the same rigor as buying any bullion. Because 23K is less common globally than 24K, extra caution is warranted around certification, liquidity, and resale. Choose recognized refiners, insist on full assay documentation, and ensure the logistics/transport/export are fully verified.

When done correctly, 23K gold bars can serve as a flexible and valuable physical asset — particularly in markets where 23K is culturally established or where manufacturing demand exists.

Mzuri Gold Group