Chemical analysis

Discover Rafinor's Precious Metal Analysis Services Using the Cupellation Method:

Our state-of-the-art laboratory utilizes the cupellation method to offer the most accurate analysis for gold and silver. This classic fire assay technique, known for its precision, involves isolating pure gold and silver by melting the sample with lead oxide in a special furnace. Trust Rafinor for reliable purity assessments of precious metals, benefiting from our global expertise and advanced analytical capabilities.

Here is a detailed description of the process a precious metal sample undergoes from entry into the refinery to the issuance of the analysis certificate using the cupellation technique:

Reception and Registration of the Sample

Upon arrival at the refinery, each precious metal sample is identified, recorded, and labeled to ensure traceability throughout the analysis process.

Sample Preparation

The sample is prepared for analysis, a process that may include weighing, dividing, or pulverizing, depending on the initial form of the material.

Loading into the Cupel

The prepared material is placed in a cupel, a porous container made from refractory material, which will absorb the oxidized impurities during the heating process.

Melting in the Furnace

The cupel is introduced into the cupellation furnace, where it is heated to very high temperatures. At this stage, the base metals in the sample are oxidized and absorbed by the cupel, leaving behind only the precious metal.

Cooling and Recovery of the Purified Metal

After the heating process is complete, the cupel is removed from the furnace and allowed to cool. The now purified precious metal is recovered from the cupel.

Final Analysis and Certification

The purified metal is then analyzed to determine the exact purity. This is done using additional analysis methods, such as spectroscopy. The results are documented in an analysis certificate that certifies the purity and quality of the metal.

Issuance of the Analysis Certificate

The analysis certificate is finalized and issued to the client, providing all the necessary details about the composition and quality of the processed precious metal sample.

These steps ensure that each precious metal sample processed through cupellation is analyzed with the highest accuracy and that the results are documented transparently and in detail for the client.

The cupellation technique is used to separate precious metals, such as gold and silver, from impurities by melting the impure metal in a special furnace, in a porous container called a cupel. This technique dates back to antiquity and was widely used by ancient civilizations in Asia Minor around 3000 BCE. During the process, the base metals are oxidized and absorbed by the cupel, leaving behind only the purified precious metal. This is considered one of the most precise methods of analyzing precious metals due to its ability to measure the metal's purity with great accuracy.