Nestorbot
Science & ResearchISCO 2146

Assayer

An assayer is a person who tests precious metals, establishes how much of them an article contains, and separates them from other components.

Check your gapsCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 37/100 (moderate risk)

Check yourself in a minute: assayer

Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

handle chemicals

identify customer's needs

separate metals from ores

test raw minerals

use chemical analysis equipment

About assayer

Testing means determining the fineness, the proportion of precious metal in an alloy. The assayer applies chemical and physical techniques: the touchstone test with acids, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and, where the highest accuracy is required, cupellation, in which a sample is melted down. The assayer draws on analytical chemistry and laboratory techniques, and the result establishes the value and properties of the material tested.

The assayer also examines raw minerals, metal articles and ores, knows precious metal alloys and chemical processes, and uses statistics in judging a consignment, since the content of a whole delivery is inferred from samples. They separate precious metals from other components as well.

Working with acids and at high temperature, the assayer handles chemicals properly and applies laboratory safety procedures. In some countries, testing and hallmarking of precious metal articles is carried out by state assay offices under hallmarking law.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a assayer.

1

Metal Sampling and Preparation

  • Collect and prepare representative samples of precious metals for analysis
  • Document sample provenance and chain of custody procedures
  • Maintain proper handling and storage procedures to prevent contamination
2

Chemical and Physical Testing

  • Conduct gravimetric analysis to determine metal purity and weight
  • Apply spectroscopic techniques to identify metal composition and trace elements
  • Use chemical assay methods including fire assay and wet chemistry techniques
  • Measure physical properties such as density, melting point, and conductivity
3

Precious Metal Separation and Refining

  • Separate precious metals from other materials using chemical and thermal processes
  • Refine precious metal stocks to achieve required purity levels
  • Recover valuable metal components from scrap and waste materials
4

Testing and Quality Assurance

  • Perform quality control checks and validate testing procedures
  • Maintain calibration of laboratory equipment and testing instruments
  • Document and report assay results with detailed findings and certifications

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

metal and metal ore productsmetal and metal ore productsThe offered metal and metal ore products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.good laboratory practicegood laboratory practiceRegulatory requirements and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) applied in the relevant manufacturing sector.chemical processeschemical processesThe relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...handle chemicalshandle chemicalsSafely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.separate metals from oresseparate metals from oresApply various chemical and physical methods to separate minerals from their ores such as magnetic, electric or chemical methods.test raw mineralstest raw mineralsTake samples of mineral materials for testing purposes. Execute various chemical and physical tests on the materials.analytical chemistryanalytical chemistryInstruments and methods used to separate, identify and quantify matter-the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.use chemical analysis equipmentuse chemical analysis equipmentUse the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.precious metalsprecious metalsTypes of rare metal that occur naturally and have a high economic value.characteristics of precious metalscharacteristics of precious metalsVariations of precious metals according to density, corrossion resistance, electrical conductivity, light reflectivity and quality.
Optional (11) — show
physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.geologygeologySolid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.jewellery processesjewellery processesMaterials and processes involved in creating jewellery items like earrings, necklaces, rings, brackets, etc.manufacturing of jewellerymanufacturing of jewelleryThe manufacturing of different type of jewellery such as rings or necklaces out of various metal types such as silver, gold, diamond and other precious stones.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...heat jewellery metalsheat jewellery metalsHeat, melt and shape metals for jewellery making.report test findingsreport test findingsReport test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, usi...supervise laboratory operationssupervise laboratory operationsSupervise the staff working in a laboratory, as well as oversee that equipment is functional and maintained, and procedures occur in compliance with regulations and legislation.manage chemical testing proceduresmanage chemical testing proceduresManage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.prepare chemical samplesprepare chemical samplesPrepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.label sampleslabel samplesLabel raw material/product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

analytical chemist10 shared essential skillschemistry technician6 shared essential skillschromatographer6 shared essential skillschemical processing supervisor5 shared essential skillstoxicologist5 shared essential skillsbiochemist4 shared essential skillschemical engineering technician4 shared essential skillschemical manufacturing quality technician4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does an assayer do?

Assayers test and analyse precious metals such as silver and gold to determine the value and properties of components using chemical and physical techniques. They also seperate precious metals or other components from other materials.

What skills does an assayer need?

An assayer needs 16 essential skills, including metal and metal ore products, good laboratory practice, chemical processes, statistics, laboratory techniques.

Will AI replace assayer jobs?

The AI disruption score for assayer is 37/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record test data, report test findings, precious metals. Most resilient: heat jewellery metals, handle chemicals, manufacturing of jewellery.

AI Replacement Risk

37/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills16

What are you missing to work as assayer?

The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.

Check your gaps