Authentication and Assaying of Precious Metals

J. Rotbart & Co. believes in ensuring your precious metals are pure and of the highest quality. You can depend on our Authentication and Assaying services.

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Verify Bullion Bars and Coins with Confidence

Whether you are buying, selling, or recasting your gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, you need to be sure of their purity and composition. Assaying and authenticating is the process wherein recognized experts certify the quality of your precious metals. This provides you with certainty and peace of mind, and confirms the authenticity of your holdings. Assaying bullion is essential when buying bullion from dubious sources, or when selling us bullion that was not sold through us.

Draw on Expert Analysis from Around the World

J. Rotbart & Co. has access to a global expert network to comprehensively analyze and inspect precious metals for credible and trustworthy certification. This process will confirm the quality of your holdings or potential purchase up to the strictest standards of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) or the London Palladium and Platinum Market (LPPM), if needed.

Mitigate Counterfeit Risk Before Your Transaction

J. Rotbart & Co. stands behind every one of our transactions. We draw on world-class specialists to identify possible counterfeiting and rely on reputable refiners in locations around the world to assay, smelt, and recast precious metals. You will receive a comprehensive assaying report fully detailing the composition of the precious metals in question for your further action. We further safeguard your precious metals transactions by complying with international regulations and guidelines. We conduct comprehensive due diligence to avoid dealing with precious metals from questionable or disreputable sources.

What are Authentication and Assaying?

When buying precious metals from a source that is unknown to you, assaying is a vital component. Authentication and Assaying is the process by which metals are analyzed so that their composition is determined and quantified.

Direct assay methods are the most accurate

Many consider direct methods as the most accurate, as they test the metals’ composition. However, this usually requires melting or dissolving some or all of the product in question. Any markings or stamping will obviously disappear or be marred. So, while this is an excellent method of bullion bars, it may not be the best method for commemorative coins, since the stamps, which may be integral to the value, are likely to be damaged.

Fire Assaying is the one of the most common and accurate direct methods. It can be quite complicated, but essentially, it involves analyzing either all, or a sample of the metal in question, as it melts. Each element has its own melting point, so using very sensitive instruments and chemical agents, the assayer can identify and measure an item’s distinct make-up.

Indirect assay methods are the least intrusive

Direct assaying requires physically altering the precious metals being analyzed, which usually requires recasting after completing the process. Indirect methods such as x-ray fluorescence (XRF) or Inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) do not require melting or dissolving.

XRF is the more common method. The metal is radiated so that it emits x-rays. As different metals will emit x-rays at different rates and intensities, the emitted x-rays are then analyzed and identified by the assayer.

Unsure Whether You Need Authentication and Assaying? Or Both?

J. Rotbart & Co. features a team of professionals who are experts in every aspect of precious metals buying, selling, storing, transporting, Authentication and Assaying, and financing precious metals. With years of experience in precious metals management, trading, logistics, we offer unique insights and bespoke solutions for physical bullion bar and coin assets. Ownership of physical precious metals is proven to be a safe haven investment that weathers the ups and downs of fickle markets and fortunes.

Our team of experts at J. Rotbart & Co. in Hong Kong and Singapore, are here to answer your questions. As a boutique precious metals firm, we have spent years building our reputation, one customer at a time. We understand that to maintain that reputation it’s imperative we’re always able to ensure the precious metals that pass through our doors are certified to the highest standards possible.

J. Rotbart & Co. is Your Partner in Assaying and Authenticating

J. Rotbart & Co. offers options and flexibility with assaying and authenticating. We work with you to determine your best course of action depending on your specific needs. You can choose to sell your assayed metals or have them recast into new bars. J. Rotbart & Co. wants to help you transact in physical precious metals at the highest standard. Contact us today to find out more.