We are talking about Thai gold, as the title of the video suggests, and I made this video because I consider myself to be somewhat of an avid enthusiast for Thai gold. Some people would call me a gold bug. I always hesitate to consider making any kind of gold investment. I’m a gold bug, if that’s not such a bad term. I just find gold to be pretty interesting. I’m not saying I am like Scrooge McDuck, who has tons and tons of gold.
Recently, I have had some in-person clients tell me that “You know, you really should maybe consider making some YouTube videos on Thai gold because people don’t really understand it to the extent that you look at it because I think Thai gold is sort of viewed—I hesitate to use the word “inferior”—by outsiders or folks who haven’t been to Thailand as “well it is not the same as International Standard.” That is accurate, but when you consider the distinctions and special qualities of Thai gold, it actually makes it, in my opinion, superior to international standard weight and measure gold in certain aspects—for lack of a better phrase, to put it in that context.
Having said that, I believe the definition of “better” depends greatly on whether or not your center of gravity is in Southeast Asia and/or greater Thailand. Many people ask me, “What is Baht weight?” and I respond, “Thai baht.” That’s why we made this video. Although the Thai baht is now widely known as money and a unit of measurement, the word also refers to a weight and measure of gold. Traditionally, in a Thai gold shop, you would purchase gold using weights and measures. The Baht weight is the primary unit of measurement. From there, you can have exponential amounts of Baht weight gold or fractions of the Baht weight. What is a Baht, then? Well, it’s also known as a “tical” at times. That is kind of the old school. That’s something I’ve read a lot of in books or articles detailing the colonialists who lived here. The British colonies occasionally used the word “tical” in their interactions with Thais or French people, but Baht is equivalent to that It is a unit of weight specifically for Thai gold.
One Baht equals 15. 244 g. Standard purity of Thai gold is 96. 5%. Now that is different than 99. 9% Thai gold. One Baht actually contains fifteen grams of gold by weight. 224 X 0. 95965 so that equals 14. 71046 g. Troy ounces equivalent to that would be 0. 473 troy ounces. The other thing to keep in mind is 15. 244 g is used for bullion. For jewelry it is more like 15. 16 g when you are talking about Baht weight gold.
Yet another thing to consider is that you could approach this from the perspective of jewelry or bullion. There are two types of Thai gold: jewelry-grade gold and Baht-weight gold in small blocks. There are various Baht measurements and even segments of Baht; they are tiny bits of Thai gold that can occasionally be ranked from 1 to 5. There is a “saleung”; a quarter of a Baht. Thus, there are various methods for calculating the Thai Baht.
I won’t go into too much detail in this video about Thai gold as an investment vehicle—for lack of a better phrase—but it can serve as a means of preserving value in relation to currency. Keep in mind that one oz. of Thai gold is not the same as one Baht. and purity of 1 oz. There are problems with the fungibility of gold of international standard weight and measure. I will create another video on this channel about the problems with Thai gold shops and the fungibility of gold. For now, all I want to do is quickly create a video explaining how much gold weighs in the Kingdom of Thailand in Baht.
Thai gold holds a significant cultural and economic value in Thailand, often serving as a financial safety net for many However, its unique characteristics and karat composition can be confusing for those unfamiliar with it. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Thai gold, its karat, purity, and value, helping you make informed decisions when buying or selling this precious metal
Identifying Thai Gold
While the term “Thai gold” is commonly used it’s important to note that not all gold jewelry originating from Thailand is exclusively Thai. Gold jewelry from Laos and Cambodia often shares similar characteristics contributing to the broader term “Thai gold.”
One distinguishing feature of Thai gold is its use of the “Baht” weight unit, where one Baht equals 15244 grams. Traditionally, a “one baht” chain weighs 15.244 grams and contains 96% (23K) gold However, variations exist, and not all “baht gold chains” adhere to this exact standard.
Assessing Thai Gold Purity
Determining the exact purity of Thai gold can be challenging due to its non-uniform composition. Thai goldsmiths often employ non-standard alloying practices, making it difficult to identify the precise gold content using conventional methods.
While electronic testers and acid rub tests are commonly used to assess gold purity, they may not provide accurate results with Thai gold due to its unique composition. For instance, some Thai gold lacks copper, a common element in Western gold alloys, affecting the readings of electronic testers. Similarly, the absence of copper can impact the accuracy of acid rub tests.
Thai Gold Karat: A Closer Look
Thai gold generally falls within the range of 750 parts per 1000 (18K) to 950 parts per 1000 (23K). This indicates a high gold content, making Thai gold highly valuable.
Here’s a breakdown of Thai gold karat and its corresponding purity:
- 18K (750): 75% gold, 25% other metals
- 20K (833): 83.3% gold, 16.7% other metals
- 22K (916): 91.6% gold, 8.4% other metals
- 23K (950): 95% gold, 5% other metals
- 24K (999): 99.9% pure gold
It’s important to note that Thai gold jewelry is rarely below 18K, with most pieces falling within the 22K-23K range.
Thai Gold Purity: Factors to Consider
Several factors contribute to the purity of Thai gold:
- Stamping: While some Thai gold pieces are stamped with their fineness (e.g., 916, 750), others may not have any markings.
- Character Stamps: Thai character stamps can be challenging to decipher, even for native Thai speakers.
- Metal Composition: The absence of copper in some Thai gold can affect the accuracy of purity testing methods.
Selling Thai Gold: Maximizing Value
When selling Thai gold, it’s crucial to find a reputable buyer who understands its unique characteristics and can accurately assess its purity. Look for buyers who:
- Specialize in Thai gold: Choose a buyer with experience in handling and valuing Thai gold.
- Utilize advanced testing methods: Ensure the buyer uses XRF Spectrometer technology for precise purity analysis.
- Offer competitive pricing: Compare prices from different buyers to get the best value for your Thai gold.
Thai gold holds a significant cultural and financial value, often serving as a source of security and wealth. Understanding its karat, purity, and unique characteristics is essential for making informed decisions when buying or selling this precious metal. By choosing a reputable buyer and utilizing accurate testing methods, you can ensure you receive the full value for your Thai gold.
Recently, I have had some in-person clients tell me that “You know, you really should maybe consider making some YouTube videos on Thai gold because people don’t really understand it to the extent that you look at it because I think Thai gold is sort of viewed—I hesitate to use the word “inferior”—by outsiders or folks who haven’t been to Thailand as “well it is not the same as International Standard.” That is accurate, but when you consider the distinctions and special qualities of Thai gold, it actually makes it, in my opinion, superior to international standard weight and measure gold in certain aspects—for lack of a better phrase, to put it in that context.
One Baht equals 15. 244 g. Standard purity of Thai gold is 96. 5%. Now that is different than 99. 9% Thai gold. One Baht actually contains fifteen grams of gold by weight. 224 X 0. 95965 so that equals 14. 71046 g. Troy ounces equivalent to that would be 0. 473 troy ounces. The other thing to keep in mind is 15. 244 g is used for bullion. For jewelry it is more like 15. 16 g when you are talking about Baht weight gold.
Having said that, I believe the definition of “better” depends greatly on whether or not your center of gravity is in Southeast Asia and/or greater Thailand. Many people ask me, “What is Baht weight?” and I respond, “Thai baht.” That’s why we made this video. Although the Thai baht is now widely known as money and a unit of measurement, the word also refers to a weight and measure of gold. Traditionally, in a Thai gold shop, you would purchase gold using weights and measures. The Baht weight is the primary unit of measurement. From there, you can have exponential amounts of Baht weight gold or fractions of the Baht weight. What is a Baht, then? Well, it’s also known as a “tical” at times. That is kind of the old school. That’s something I’ve read a lot of in books or articles detailing the colonialists who lived here. The British colonies occasionally used the word “tical” in their interactions with Thais or French people, but Baht is equivalent to that It is a unit of weight specifically for Thai gold.
I won’t go into too much detail in this video about Thai gold as an investment vehicle—for lack of a better phrase—but it can serve as a means of preserving value in relation to currency. Keep in mind that one oz. of Thai gold is not the same as one Baht. and purity of 1 oz. There are problems with the fungibility of gold of international standard weight and measure. I will create another video on this channel about the problems with Thai gold shops and the fungibility of gold. For now, all I want to do is quickly create a video explaining how much gold weighs in the Kingdom of Thailand in Baht.
Yet another thing to consider is that you could approach this from the perspective of jewelry or bullion. There are two types of Thai gold: jewelry-grade gold and Baht-weight gold in small blocks. There are various Baht measurements and even segments of Baht; they are tiny bits of Thai gold that can occasionally be ranked from 1 to 5. There is a “saleung”; a quarter of a Baht. Thus, there are various methods for calculating the Thai Baht.
I have purchased a good deal of Thai gold jewelry over the years. In conclusion, I can state from experience that the fineness of fine Thai jewelry varies from 750 parts per 1000 (18K) to 950 parts per 1000 (23K). Thus, fine Thai gold jewelry is very high karat. This post discusses my observations regarding Thai gold jewelry based on my experience as a gold buyer. I have purchased a great deal of Thai gold jewelry from Thai people who purchased it from Thai goldsmiths in Thailand. In this piece, I’m talking about gold that was first purchased in Thailand and, to the greatest extent feasible, was created there by a Thai goldsmith.
The primary challenge in precisely determining the purity of Thai gold jewelry lies in its highly irregular composition. It appears that Thai goldsmiths use unconventional standards when alloying the gold used in their jewelry. If nothing else, they are employing composition standards for gold jewelry that are difficult for a gold buyer to discern. This does not have to do anything with quality. Thai gold jewelry is typically extremely well-made and has a high karat content, which indicates that it contains a lot of gold.
The use of the Baht gold weight measure unit is one distinctive aspect of Thai gold. A Baht is 15. 244 grams. As a result, one way to recognize Thai Gold is by its Baht. In theory, and mostly in practice, a Baht is 15. 244 grams of 96% (23K) gold. Thus, a “one baht” chain is a 15. 244-gram chain that is 96% fine gold. A chain worth “two bahts” would have the same fineness but twice the weight.
Instead of being adjusted for Thai and other Asian standards (which differ), modern electronic gold testers are more tuned for Western standards. Western standards for gold alloys are based on jewelry made primarily of gold, with silver, copper, and either white gold, nickel, or palladium. Some of confirmed Thai gold jewelry contains no copper. It is just gold with a little bit of silver. This affects how the gold tester algorithm reads the material. Usually, it reads it high enough to make it difficult to tell if the reading is accurate, but it may read it even higher. The gold tester might, for instance, read 19 or 20 karat. It is very difficult to determine if the gold is 20k or better, but it is most likely at least 18k.
Having purchased Thai gold jewelry, I have gained knowledge about its fine quality. I have to determine the approximate gold content of the jewelry I’m purchasing quickly because I’m a gold buyer. For this I use mostly electronic testers. To double check or serve as a backup, I also utilize the acid rub test. Furthermore, whenever possible, I ask the refiner to test each piece of gold jewelry separately using their highly accurate XRF Spectrometer (X Ray Florescence) apparatus.
Gold jewelry in Thailand, Bangkok. Gold 23 Karats, prices for gold in Thailand. Cheap gold
FAQ
Is Thai gold better than American gold?
How can you tell if Thailand gold is real?
Why is Thailand gold cheap?
Why does Thai gold look different?
What is the gold price in Thailand?
Welcome to the gold price in Thailand, and today’s gold price is 2,165.8 Thai Baht per Gram. We are also providing different charts of gold in Thai Baht (THB), where you can track the price information over different periods of time (e.g., Weekly, Monthly, Yearly and Historical).
What is the baht gold price in Thailand?
Welcome to the Baht Gold Price in Thailand. The current price of 1 Baht gold is 41,794.75 THB. That is updated and displayed according to Bangkok (Asia) time (GMT+07:00). GoldPriceZ.com provides the latest retail prices in the current exchange rate of Thai baht (THB).
What is the price of Karat 18K in Thailand?
Karat 18 is also called (.750) and is 750/1000 pure. Practically, it is sometimes used in making jewelleries in America and Asia, and it is the most common in Europe. Today, Friday 29 March 2024, the current price of gold Gram 18K in Thailand is 1,954.82 Thai Baht. Karat 14 is also called (.585) and is 585/1000 pure.
What is Karat 24 in Thailand?
Karat 24 is also called (.999) and is 999/1000 pure. Practically, it is never used in making jewelleries in America and Europe but sometimes used in Asia. Today, Friday 29 March 2024, the current price of gold Gram 24K in Thailand is 2,603.82 Thai Baht. Karat 22 is also called (.916) and is 916/1000 pure.