| Assay means the analysis of precious metal | | | | mostly on precious gold pieces which cannot be |
| component in an alloy, a piece of art or jewellery. | | | | destroyed by other methods of assaying. This |
| This is a very technical job, and it is carried out only | | | | method is ideal for flat and large surfaced products. |
| by authorized institutions that have the right and | | | | It doesn't take more than 3 minutes to test the |
| relevant equipment to test the precious metal | | | | metal and it generates a computer print of the test |
| content. Such institutions are called Assay Offices. | | | | result. |
| After performing the necessary procedure of | | | | Another advantage of this method is that it tests |
| assaying bullion, they certify the claim of the maker | | | | the composition of the other components present in |
| about its quality/purity by stamping a Hallmark on it. | | | | the alloy. There are some contraindications for this |
| Hallmarks are special symbols that stand for some | | | | method as well. Those gold products that are treated |
| specific thing. For example, a 750 stamp means 18k | | | | with chemicals or have gone through electroplating |
| gold; and 999 means 24k gold. There are a lot of | | | | should not be assayed with this method. |
| methods for assaying gold or bullion: the touchstone | | | | The most accurate method of assaying gold is Fire |
| method, X-Ray florescence and Cupellation. Each of | | | | Assaying or Cupellation. This is also a completely |
| these methods determines the fineness of the gold | | | | destructive method of assaying. It gives the fineness |
| product, as claimed by the manufacturer. | | | | of 1 part of gold per thousand accurately. This is an |
| The Touchstone method is employed in cases where | | | | internationally recognized method of assaying and is |
| the product under analysis is extremely rare or | | | | used commercially for assessing the quality of gold |
| precious. Touchstone is a special assaying tool which | | | | ores. Major refineries and gold mining companies use |
| determines the fineness of the product up to 10 to | | | | this method for analyzing the purity, fineness and |
| 20 parts per thousand, precisely. The product under | | | | quality of gold ores. |
| question is rubbed with the touchstone and then | | | | Gold and silver coins are also assayed by the |
| removed. The touchstone is then treated with acids | | | | appointed assay offices. This was important at a |
| or chemicals and the colour difference is studied with | | | | time when gold and silver coins were uses in daily |
| the help of references. | | | | commerce; nowadays, the use of gold and silver |
| This process, however, is not recommended for | | | | coins as currency is suspended in many countries of |
| white gold analysis because the colour variation | | | | the world. But gold coins are still available for small |
| among the white gold alloys cannot be differentiated | | | | scale investment purpose or as a means of exchange |
| that easily. This is one of the oldest methods of | | | | of gifts on special occasions. There are local gold |
| assaying gold and bullion. | | | | assay offices everywhere in the world that can find |
| X-Ray florescence method is a latest and very quick | | | | out the purity of the gold products which you wish |
| method of assaying gold products. It is also used | | | | to get assessed. |