Different forms, different requirements
Jewellery, bars, grains, doré, dust and mineral materials present different sampling and analytical challenges. A method appropriate to one form may not offer equivalent information for another.
02 / GOLD
Understanding gold starts with the right measurement.
Appearance or weight alone does not establish the composition of a gold-bearing material. A useful enquiry starts with the form of the specimen and the particular question: content, fineness, composition or suitability for a next step.
THE SERVICE IN CONTEXT
A defined scope leads to a better decision.
Understand gold content, fineness and the relevance of representative samples.
The suitable approach depends on the material, the intended outcome and the details agreed by the parties.
Make a service enquiryA CLOSER LOOK
What deserves attention.
Different specimen forms and questions call for different considerations. The following themes help frame the discussion.
Fineness and composition
Fineness describes the proportion of gold within a material. Its meaning depends on how the material was selected, measured and reported. A sample result should not automatically be treated as a finding about an entire lot.
From examination to interpretation
The intended use of a result shapes the question and suitable approach. Preparation, other constituents and technical limitations all affect what a measurement can establish.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What to prepare.
A few useful details can make your first enquiry much more focused.
- Material form: jewellery, grains, bar, dust or ore
- Approximate weight or quantity
- Known source and any prior result
- Whether the specimen is representative of a larger lot
- The specific information required
COMMON QUESTIONS
A little more clarity.
Is colour a reliable measure of purity?
No. Appearance alone cannot establish gold content.
Does testing one item certify an entire shipment?
Not without appropriate representative sampling and verification.
THE NEXT STEP
Let’s discuss your gold enquiry.
Describe the material, the service of interest and any supporting information.