Argor-Heraeus
Also: Argor-Heraeus SA, Argor
Argor-Heraeus is one of the world's leading precious metal refineries and processing companies, headquartered in Mendrisio (Switzerland), known for the highest purity standards and the Kinebar hologram.
Argor-Heraeus is a Swiss refinery headquartered in Mendrisio in the canton of Ticino, which has been counted among the world's most respected processors of precious metals since 1951. The company grew out of Argor SA, founded in 1951, and is today majority-owned by the German Heraeus Group. Argor-Heraeus processes several thousand tonnes of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium annually and supplies central banks, commercial banks, precious metal dealers, as well as the jewellery and industrial sectors.
LBMA Good Delivery and International Certifications
Perhaps the most important quality mark of Argor-Heraeus is its listing on the LBMA Good Delivery List for gold and silver. Only refineries that meet the strictest purity, dimension, and documentation requirements of the London Bullion Market Association receive this status. Good Delivery bars from Argor-Heraeus are therefore tradeable worldwide at all major precious metal exchanges and with institutional buyers without further verification.
In addition, the company holds the following certifications:
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System)
- Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) — proof of ethical supply chains
- Responsible Gold Guidance of the LBMA — due diligence regarding conflict gold risks
- Swiss Better Gold Association — partnership for sustainable gold mining
The Kinebar Hologram
A particularly visible unique selling point is the Kinebar hologram, which Argor-Heraeus exclusively applies to a portion of its gold bars (particularly 1 g to 100 g). This laser-engraved hologram is integrated directly into the bar surface — not stuck on — and serves as an anti-counterfeiting measure. It is visible as a shimmering motif under normal light and can be verified with simple means. In addition, many bars are delivered in sealed blister cards (assay card bars) with individual serial numbers.
For checking unknown bars, the authenticity check and verification of weight and dimensions is recommended.
Product Range Overview
| Product | Typical Denominations | Fineness |
|---|---|---|
| Gold bars (cast) | 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg | 999.9 ‰ |
| Gold bars (minted/Kinebar) | 1 g, 2 g, 5 g, 10 g, 20 g, 50 g, 100 g | 999.9 ‰ |
| Silver bars | 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 5 kg | 999.9 ‰ |
| Platinum bars | 1 oz, 50 g, 100 g | 999.5 ‰ |
| Palladium bars | 1 oz, 100 g | 999.5 ‰ |
You can check the current gold price at any time on this site; the calculated material value of a bar can be determined using the melt value calculator.
Supply Chain and Origin Responsibility
Since Argor-Heraeus processes doré bars directly from mines, among other sources, the traceability of raw gold is a central issue. The company maintains an internal Conflict Minerals Management System and publishes regular transparency reports. Membership of the LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance obligates it to conduct due diligence throughout the entire supply chain — from the mine to the finished bar.
Investors for whom origin and ethics are important should look for corresponding certificates when purchasing, and for the enclosed assay certificate.
Premium and Tradability
Bars from Argor-Heraeus generally achieve good buy-back prices due to their worldwide recognition and LBMA certification. The premium (agio) over the pure spot price varies depending on size and dealer: small weight units (1–10 g) expectedly carry higher percentage premiums than large bars from 250 g upwards.
The current buying price for a bar can be estimated using the buying price calculator. Note: Not tax or investment advice; please check tax particularities (e.g. speculative holding period) individually.
In Brief
Argor-Heraeus stands for the highest Swiss refinery quality with LBMA Good Delivery status, the exclusive Kinebar hologram, and seamless provenance documentation — features that make bars from this producer among the most liquid and forgery-proof investment products in the fine gold segment worldwide.