Precious Metal TestingPrecious Metal Testing

Assay Types for Gold and Assay Types for Gold and Other Other

Precious MetalsPrecious Metals

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

What PM Tests are ForWhat PM Tests are For• Before accepting gold, MGS (or any

precious metal refinery for that matter) must test or “assay” a sample.

• The assay determines the purity of the gold, which determines its value.

• Accurate precious metal assays are important for receiving a fair payout.

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The Difference Between The Difference Between TestsTests

• Different assays can yield different results depending on the skills of the assayer and the type of assay. – At MGS, we have been testing precious metal

samples for more than 25 years.

• There are three different assays that we can perform:– Hand Assay (aka Stone Test)– Machine Assay (aka X-Ray Fluorescence)– Fire Assay

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Hand AssayHand AssayA hand assay is the fastest way to test the purity of a gold sample. – Hand assays are fast and accurate enough to ensure fair

payments for walk-in patrons.

• To perform the test, the metal is scratched against a basalt stone, leaving a fine line.

• This line is treated with chemicals that will only react with certain purities of gold.

• By carefully observing the chemical reaction, the purity or authenticity of the sample can be determined.

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Machine AssayMachine Assay• A machine assay is a quick type of test that is extremely

accurate, even more so than a hand test. – Machine assays can be done onsite and are best for larger

batches of precious metal.

• This assay uses a machine to bombard a sample with x-rays.

• The sample reflects the x-rays back as light. This energy level of the light is specific to the metal’s atomic structure.

• The machine analyzes this energy level to determine the purity of the sample. – A machine assay is so thorough it can also measure the

percentage of impurities at the same time.

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Fire AssayFire Assay• A fire assay is the most accurate purity test, but it is also the most

complex. – MGS requires at least one day to perform a fire assay at our offsite melting

facility.

• First, the gold is melted together with lead oxide and control substances.– This causes everything to bind together.

• The resulting mixture is poured into a mold and cooled.– This causes the lead to sink to the bottom of the mold.

• The lead bottom is chipped off and melted in a cupel.

• The cupel absorbs all the lead, leaving only pure gold behind.– The amount of gold produced from the lead is measured against the overall

sample determine its purity.

About MGSAbout MGS

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

• Manhattan Gold & Silver (MGS) is a precious metals refiner that has been based in Manhattan’s historic Diamond District since 1985. We are a B2B company that buys and recycles precious metal scraps that accumulate in other businesses.

• We serve: – Jewelers– Pawnbrokers– Dentists– The industrial sector– Antique dealers– Machinists – And more!

• MGS also creates charts, calculators, and other online tools for our customers to use.

– Try our Precious Metals Prices app, which lets you monitor the real-time precious metals market situation from anywhere, right from your iPhone.

Recycle your Precious Recycle your Precious Metals for ProfitMetals for Profit

• MGS accepts gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

• Payouts are based on the London Fixing.

• Up to 98% payout (among the highest in the US)– Up to 98.5% for gold brought in for hand testing.

• Not in NYC? Ship us your precious metals using our Ship & Sell service. Ship & Sell offers:– Same day wired payment (once lot is received)– Discounted, insured shipping– Payout calculator

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

Connect with MGSConnect with MGS• For amazing facts, history, and news, read our

gold and precious metals blog.

• Join the conversation about precious metals on the MGS Facebook wall.

• Follow gold, silver, and other precious metal trends on the MGS Twitter account.

• Circle MGS on Google+ to hear about our latest updates, contests, and more.

• If you do business with us, connect with us on the MGS LinkedIn page.

• To see precious metal refinement in action, visit the MGS Youtube channel.

Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454