How does an assay work?

The main assays used to determine the quality of precious metals are x-ray fluorescence and fire assay. Through x-ray fluorescence, the purity of the metal is determined by sending x-rays into the sample. Through fire assay, the precious metal is heated up to over 1000 °C when lead and carbon sources are introduced, through a complex chemical interaction, the precious metal is left separated from the impurities.

 

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