Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Weight Tolerance • Settlement Date • Debasement

Purity Testing

Term from Precious Metal Trading industry explained for recruiters

Purity Testing is a critical process in the precious metals industry that determines the exact content and quality of metals like gold, silver, and platinum. It's similar to quality control in other industries, but specifically for valuable metals. Think of it as checking if gold is really 24K or if silver is sterling quality. Professionals use various methods like XRF (x-ray testing) or fire assay to verify metal content, which is crucial for trading, buying, and selling precious metals. This testing ensures that metals meet industry standards and helps establish their true market value.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted Purity Testing on gold and silver bullion using industry-standard equipment

Managed quality control through Purity Testing and Metal Assaying procedures

Supervised team of technicians performing Purity Testing and Precious Metal Analysis

Typical job title: "Precious Metal Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Metal Assayer Precious Metal Tester Quality Control Specialist Laboratory Technician Bullion Analyst Precious Metal Quality Controller

Where to Find Precious Metal Analysts

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Industry Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you set up a new purity testing laboratory from scratch?

Expected Answer: Should explain the essential equipment needed, safety protocols, quality control procedures, and how to ensure accurate results. Should mention staff training and certification requirements.

Q: What steps would you take if you discovered inconsistencies in purity test results?

Expected Answer: Should discuss systematic approach to troubleshooting, including equipment calibration, sample preparation review, and implementation of verification procedures. Should mention documentation and reporting protocols.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What methods do you use to test gold purity and why?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain different testing methods like XRF, fire assay, and acid testing, including when each method is most appropriate and their accuracy levels.

Q: How do you maintain accuracy in your testing procedures?

Expected Answer: Should discuss calibration procedures, use of control samples, proper documentation, and following standard operating procedures.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic safety procedures when handling precious metals for testing?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic safety protocols, proper handling of chemicals, use of protective equipment, and secure storage procedures.

Q: Can you explain the difference between 14K and 18K gold?

Expected Answer: Should understand basic concepts of metal purity, explaining that these numbers represent parts of pure gold out of 24 parts total, with 18K being purer than 14K.