Laboratory & Analysis
Precision and quality at every stage of production
The quality of our gold and silver bars is based on a strictly controlled manufacturing process, which is accompanied by comprehensive laboratory and analysis steps. In our in-house laboratory, we continuously measure the purity and quality of the precious metals throughout the entire production process. The aim is to ensure the highest purity, transparency, and quality.
To do this, we rely on proven analysis methods, state-of-the-art measurement technology, and multi-stage control mechanisms.
“We guarantee verified purity, traceable quality, and maximum safety along the entire value chain.”
Multi-stage testing steps
Overview of analysis methods
X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF)
XRF is used for evaluation upon sample receipt and enables rapid and non-destructive determination of the precious metal content. In this process, high-energy X-rays excite electrons close to the nucleus of the metal atoms and remove them from their shell. The resulting energy gap is filled by electrons from higher energy levels. When they fall back to the lower energy level, energy is emitted in the form of characteristic X-rays.
This radiation is element-specific and enables the clear identification and quantitative determination of the metals contained. A total of six measurements are carried out to obtain a meaningful and representative result.
Cupellation (dokimasia or fire assay)
Cupellation is a classic and very precise method for determining the gold content in alloys. It exploits the different oxygen affinities of precious metals—especially gold and silver—compared to non-precious metals in order to separate them as metal oxides.
After the so-called purification process, gold and silver remain, which are then further separated and weighed. On this basis, the exact gold content of the original sample can be calculated. This method is mainly used in the analysis of scrap gold and is considered the reference method in precious metal analysis.
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
The ICP-OES measurement is used to determine the exact fineness of the precious metal and its impurities. In this process, thermal energy is supplied to metal atoms, which is released again nanoseconds later in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
Each metal has an individual radiation pattern, which can be used to identify it, and the radiation intensity provides information about the concentration in the sample. This is chemically processed for the procedure. A plasma torch is used to atomize the sample in the measuring chamber, which improves the accuracy of the measurement.