Due to our production backlog and computer conversion, stock items are currently not eligible for same-day shipping. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time. Stock items will ship within three business days until further notice. Please note that estimated delivery dates are running about a week behind schedule, but we are catching up week by week. Thank you for your patience and continued support.
It is our goal to recover the highest possible amount of gold, silver, platinum and palladium from your scrap material. Our leading-edge laboratory offers two analytical techniques, XRF and Fire Assay, both of which are capable of detecting even the smallest amounts of precious metals. The analytical technique used will depend on your budget, timeframe, the elements to be determined and the level of accuracy required. Please Note: This page describes stand-alone assay charges. Lot specific assay charges are stated on our Refining Terms.
XRF: X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique capable of determining the concentration of multiple elements in a sample. It is particularly useful in providing qualitative results, defining the elements present in the sample with a less accurate determination of their concentration. This technique provides the most accurate results from smooth, flat, homogeneous samples.
Accuracy: GOOD ± 0.1% for gold & ± 0.5% for all other metals. Results are dependent on sample quality and homogeneity. Cost: $75 per sample Turnaround: One working day from receipt of sample
FIRE ASSAY: Over 4,000 years old, fire assay is still the most accurate method for determining gold content.
This ancient technique is still used today and requires a small amount of your sample to undergo a thermal and chemical process. Samples must be homogeneous.
Accuracy: BETTER ±0.01% or better Cost: $150 per sample Turnaround: Two working days from receipt of sample
After your bullion has been weighed, pin samples are taken from each end and fire assayed in duplicate to determine the precious metal content. The results of the assays must agree. If they do not, the bar is remelted to ensure that it is homogeneous and then resampled and reassayed.
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