It is very hard here in the Phil's if not impossible to buy gold cheap. Buying it for the daily value rate is already a bargain. Pawnshops are professionals, they know what they sell. Gold should be marked with a hallmark, but there are many different ones and also fakes, so be careful always. Best thing to do to be on the safe side is testing, some of the jewelry shops around the public market in Duma offer that service. But you have to trust them also