Precious metal testing checks the purity of a sample, which determines its value. This presentation explains several different tests, or assays, that Manhattan Gold and Silver performs.

1. Precious Metal TestingPrecious Metal Testing
Assay Types for Gold and OtherAssay Types for Gold and Other
Precious MetalsPrecious Metals
Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

2. 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.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454

3. 2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
The Difference Between TestsThe Difference Between Tests
• 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

4. 2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
Hand AssayHand Assay
A 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.

5. 2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
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.

6. 2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
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.

7. 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.

8. Recycle your PreciousRecycle 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

9. 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

10. 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