“Launched at an event last night, we officially opened the virtual doors of our new luxury online boutique, 24carat.co.za, where you.can buy minted gold bars as well as bespoke jewellery and various pure golden keepsakes such as medallions,” says Bernard Stern, co-founder of 25-year-old Metal Concentrators (MetCon), the mother company of 24carat and South Africa’s largest independent precious metal refinery.

“Our 10g, 50g, and 100g minted gold bars as well as our medallions are made of 99.99% pure gold, which is the equivalent of 24 carat and the highest level of gold purity one can get,” he says. “To compare, Kruger Rands are only 91.67% gold, or 22 carat.”

24carat.co.za is the first private platform where one can buy minted gold bars. Stern adds; “Metcon was the first refiner to receive a license to manufacture and sell such items. It has to be noted that up until 2008, it was prohibited for anyone in South Africa to buy or trade in such bars. Luckily times have changed.”  

Apart from pure gold bars, 24carat.co.za will also sell certified diamonds and handcrafted and bespoke jewellery and medallions, designed by some of South Africa's best designers. “These small amulets, for many centuries, have been used to herald births of princes and princesses, celebrate crownings and commemorate other historical events,” Stern explains. “These pieces of jewellery were given to recognise achievements and bravery, but also to show one's love, affection, and admiration. This makes these keepsakes a perfect timeless gift.”

Stern stresses that the gold used for 24carat's assortment of bars, jewellery, and medallions is ‘honest’ gold. “Metcon's core business is the recycling and refining of precious metals such as gold,” Stern says. “Last year, the Responsible Jewellery Council awarded us a double responsible practices certification. This means that the gold we are working with is mostly recycled and guaranteed free of conflict and human rights abuse. So apart from buying something beautiful that will stand the test of time, you are purchasing something that is ethically and morally sound.”

As part of the bar range on offer, 24ct. is also offering 99.9% silver and 99.95% platinum bars. “Platinum is the rarest of the precious metals, and has therefore a very exclusive reputation – even more so than gold. Silver might not be as valuable as gold and platinum, but it remains a precious metal,” Stern says.

For more information, visit www.24carat.co.za. Alternatively connect with them on Facebook and on Twitter.