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A gold brick, also known as a gold bar or gold bullion, is a rectangle-shaped piece of refined gold, made with pure gold of 99.99% purity, also known as 24-karat gold. According to the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), a standard gold brick, or Good Delivery Bar, should weigh approximately 400 troy ounces, or 27.4 pounds, with a minimum gold content of 99.5%.
Key Insights
The standard London Good Delivery Bar weighs 400 troy ounces (12.4 kg), with other sizes like 1-kilogram bars also common.
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A standard gold bar size measures 250 mm x 70 mm x 35 mm in dimensions.
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Regional variations include China’s 5 Tael bar (170 grams) and India’s Tola bar (11.66 grams), while Japan and the Middle East prefer 1-kilogram bars.
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As of October 2024, the current price of a 1-ounce gold bar costs around $2,500 in the US.
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Gold bricks are solid investments, available through dealers or via a Gold IRA for tax-advantaged savings.
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Gold is often considered a stable, long-term investment, offering protection against economic uncertainty. Although it is sold in various forms, gold bricks are often preferred due to their compact size, high purity, and long-term value.
In 2024, global demand for gold increased by 3%, reaching 1,238 tons in the first quarter, with China, Australia, and India being the largest producers in the Asia-Pacific region.
This article details brick weights, standard measurements, and how much they can cost you.
Gold Brick Weights: All You Need to Know
Based on the standard size set by LBMA, each gold bar weighs around 400 troy ounces or 27.4 pounds in international markets with 99.5% minimum purity for a Good Delivery Bar.
However, the weight of a gold bar can vary slightly during production, usually ranging between 350 to 430 fine ounces of gold (approximately 10.9 to 13.4 kilograms). This flexibility allows for variations during the casting or minting process, ensuring that each bar meets American and international standards.
Smaller bars of gold are weighed in grams while big bricks are measured in troy ounces. Small bars can range from 1 gram to 50 grams, depending on the size, while large gold bars can weigh 1 ounce or more.
How Big is a 400 oz Gold Bar?
A standard 400 oz gold bar, as defined by the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association), typically measures 250 mm x 70 mm x 35 mm.
In other words, it can measure up to 10.7 inches (27.17 cm) in length and 3.72 inches (9.4 cm) in width.
However, these common sizes can slightly vary based on the manufacturing process.
Does Gold Brick Weight Vary by Region?
Yes, gold brick weight can vary by region, primarily due to local preferences, historical standards, and market practices. The London Delivery Bar is mainly the international standard.
But in some prominent countries, each gold brick’s weight varies based on local units of measurement, such as:
- China: 5 Tael = 6.01 ounces or 170 grams
- India (South Asia): 1 Tola = 11.66 grams
Japan and Middle Eastern countries usually prefer 1-kilo gold bars rather than the international standard ounces.
Standard Size and Measurement of a Gold Brick
The central banks and government usually follow the Good Delivery specification by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) to determine the standard metrics.
Gold is usually weighed in troy ounces, where 1 troy ounce is equal to 31.1 grams.
Here’s a comprehensive table on the standard size of a gold bullion bar:
| Type of Gold Brick | Weight | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Purity |
| London Good Delivery Bar | 400 troy ounces (~12.4 kg) | 250 mm x 70 mm x 35 mm | 99.5% or higher |
| 1 Kilogram Bar | 1 kg (32.15 troy ounces) | 117 mm x 53 mm x 8.7 mm | 99.9% or higher |
| 100 Gram Bar | 100 grams (3.22 troy ounces) | 45 mm x 25 mm x 4 mm | 99.9% or higher |
| 1 Ounce Bar | 1 troy ounce (31.1 grams) | 41 mm x 24 mm x 1.85 mm | 99.9% or higher |
Types of Gold Bricks
Gold bricks, as the name suggests, are shaped into bricks. There are two main types of gold bars based on the manufacturing process: cast bars and minted bars. They can weigh between 1 gram to 1 kilogram.
Casted Bars
Cast gold bricks are created by pouring molten gold into molds that cool down and solidify. This process is quite irregular with no polishing or precision, so every bar has unique characteristics, such as uneven shapes and blemishes. Cast gold bars are mostly similar to gold ingots because of their irregularity.
Cast bars hold a low premium value over the spot price of gold due to low production costs. However, they are still a source of wealth preservation.
Minted Bars
Minted gold bricks are more finely shaped bars. The gold is first melted into a mold and then rolled into a thin sheet. Later, these sheets are cut with precise weight, polished, and stamped with details such as the mint logo, weight, and purity.
Minted bars have a higher premium value over the spot price of gold, due to complex manufacturing and polishing costs.
What is the Price of a Gold Brick?
The price of a gold brick is based on the spot price of gold. LMBA Gold Price is used as a benchmark to determine the prices in the global market for precious metals, while regional gold prices in local markets depend on economic trends, supply and demand, and the geographical location of the specific country.
There’s no fixed answer to price because the rates change daily based on the international market. The current spot price of gold is around $2,659 per ounce, at the time of writing.
According to a 5-year analysis chart, gold prices saw a 75.14% increase from 2019-2024.
The steady increase in gold prices shows that the gold bricks hold great value in investment.
Price of Gold Bars in the United States
As of early October 2024, a 1oz gold bar is worth around $2,500. The prices are subject to increase in the upcoming year.
How to Buy a Gold Brick
Gold bricks are primarily traded among large investors, central banks, and governments to preserve wealth, they are also available for purchase by the public through bullion dealers.
If you're looking to invest in physical gold, buying standard gold bars can be profitable. One of the most popular ways is by opening a Gold IRA, allowing you to include physical gold bricks as part of your investment portfolio.
To start, you’ll need to open a Self-Directed IRA with a custodian who can handle and purchase IRS-approved good delivery gold bars and store them in an IRS-approved facility on your behalf because you cannot store gold in-house.
Another way to buy gold bars is through trusted online bullion dealers, such as APMEX, JM Bullion, SD Bullion, or local dealers. However, this requires extensive research and verification to avoid fraud. You will also need to look for safe vaults to store them.
Bottom Line
Gold bricks, primarily the London Good Delivery Bar, weigh 400 troy ounces (about 12.4 kg) with 99.5% purity, making them a valuable investment choice. Standard sizes can vary by region, with alternatives like the 1-kilogram bar in Japan and the Middle East. As of October 2024, gold prices are around $2,500 per ounce, reflecting a 75.14% increase since 2019. This steady price rise highlights gold's enduring value for wealth preservation and investment stability.
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References
- Gold Demand Trends Q1 2024. World Gold Council. Evaluated November 1, 2024.
Link - Gold Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, by Application (Jewelry, Finance, Bullion, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032. Fortune Business Insights. Evaluated November 1, 2024.
Link - Gold Price. Evaluated November 1, 2024.
Link - London Bullion Market Association. Evaluated November 1, 2024.
Link - Gold Spot Prices. World Gold Council. Evaluated November 1, 2024.
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