All philoro exclusive products are manufactured by LBMA-certified producers
The philoro bar series is produced by LBMA-certified manufacturers Valcambi S.A. (Switzerland) and Heimerle + Meule GmbH (Germany). With Valcambi and Heimerle + Meule, philoro has partners who value sustainability just as highly as philoro does. The gold for our bar series is predominantly sourced from Canadian mines that adhere to exceptionally strict environmental regulations. Furthermore, employees at Valcambi and Heimerle + Meule receive fair wages, and production processes are designed to minimize CO₂ emissions.
As a buyer of a philoro bar, you can be confident that your gold or silver bar meets the highest standards—both in terms of product quality and the origin of the Precious metal.
Heimerle + Meule is listed on the LBMA Good-Delivery-List, making it a certified manufacturer. The smelter mark "melter assayer" (Fig. 1, right) on our gold bars serves as proof of this certification. The same applies to the renowned Valcambi S.A., which bears the smelter mark "CHI – ESSAYEUR FONDEUR" (Fig. 2, right) — another philoro partner found on the LBMA Good Delivery List.
What Does the LBMA Certification Stand For?
The LBMA has developed the "Responsible Sourcing Programme" - a guideline for the responsible handling of gold. Only manufacturers of gold and silver bars who adhere to this guideline, meet its requirements, and undergo regular audits and inspections receive LBMA certification.
Goals of this Responsible Sourcing Programme include:
Investment bars from LBMA-certified manufacturers meet the highest quality standards.
Human rights violations must be avoided during extraction or production.
Precious metal trading must not support conflict parties (civil wars, wars, etc.).
Trading in precious metals must comply with international anti-money laundering (AML) standards/laws.
Precious metal trading must not promote terrorist activities or organizations.
What does this mean in individual cases?
If a company wants to obtain LBMA certification, it must ensure that the precious metals used do not come from mines located in crisis regions. The company must also ensure that the metals do not come from mines where working conditions are inhumane. Additionally, producers must guarantee that sustainability and environmental protection are considered in the extraction of precious metals.
What is the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association)?
Since 1897, the London Bullion Market has determined the global market price for silver, and since 1919, also for gold. As a result, the London Bullion Market has developed into the world’s most important over-the-counter trading platform for gold and silver. The trade of these precious metals is coordinated by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Members of the LBMA include large international banks, refiners, processors, producers, and, of course, traders from all over the world.
To receive LBMA certification, a producer must meet various criteria. The company must have existed for at least five years and must have been producing gold bars as a manufacturer for at least three years. The annual production volume must be at least 10 tonnes, and the company's net tangible assets must be at least 15 million British pounds (or the equivalent in another currency). Finally, the producer must comply with the guidelines of the Responsible Sourcing Programmes.
Security Features of the philoro Gold Bar Series
The security features of a gold bar can be found on the front, back, and edge. On the front, bars up to 500 g have a laser-engraved serial number, which must match the number on the accompanying certificate. Additionally, the logo, refinery, and weight are stamped into the bar. For cast bars, the certificate is provided separately.
philoro bars are exclusively produced by LBMA-certified manufacturers. Every philoro bar has a unique serial number and comes with a certificate guaranteeing its authenticity. Furthermore, all bars from 1 g to 500 g are delivered in a high-quality security blister. This blister is hermetically sealed and cannot be opened or resealed without damage.
To ensure you are purchasing a high-quality investment product, it is advisable to buy only certified bars.
