also: じきん
base metal (for plating)
Specifically the underlying metal onto which a plating or coating is applied; common in manufacturing and jewelry contexts.
この指輪の地金は銀で、表面に金メッキが施されている。
The base metal of this ring is silver, with gold plating on the surface.
true character; true colors
Used figuratively to refer to a person's real nature, often with a negative connotation; frequently appears in expressions like 地金が出る (one's true colors show).
彼は普段は優しいが、怒ると地金が出る。
He is usually kind, but his true colors come out when he gets angry.
This factory processes raw metal to make products.
金の地金の価格が上がっている。
The price of gold bullion is rising.
あの人の地金は意外とケチだ。
His true character is surprisingly stingy.
gold bullion
Standard kanji spelling for all senses; reading じがね is the most common.
Alternate reading, less common; may be encountered in specialized contexts.
Compound of 地 (base, ground) and 金 (metal). The figurative sense derives from the idea of revealing the base metal beneath a surface coating.