A classical method for precious metals
Fire assay is a long-established method for measuring gold, silver and platinum group elements in rock, soil and other samples.
The basic steps
- The prepared sample is mixed with a flux and heated in a furnace until it melts.
- Lead in the mixture collects the precious metals, forming a lead button that separates from the slag.
- The lead button is heated on a porous cup (cupellation), which absorbs the lead and leaves a small bead of precious metal.
- The result is measured with an AAS finish or a gravimetric finish.
Fire assay at RVA Labs
RVA Labs offers gold by AAS finish, gold by gravimetric finish, silver, platinum group elements and metallic screen fire assay.
