Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Gold Tester

🎯 Role Definition

A Gold Tester (Assayer / Precious Metals Analyst) is responsible for accurately determining the composition, purity, and quality of gold and other precious metals using a combination of non-destructive and destructive test methods (e.g., XRF, electronic testers, acid/stone tests, fire assay, ICP). The role includes sample preparation, instrument operation and calibration, QA/QC and chain-of-custody documentation, reconciliation of assay results with inventory, and close collaboration with jewelry bench teams, procurement, compliance and production to ensure product integrity, hallmarking accuracy, and regulatory compliance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Jewelry Bench Technician or Bench Jeweler with assay exposure
Laboratory Technician (chemistry, metallurgy) with sample prep experience
Mining or Mill Assistant with basic assaying duties

Advancement To:

Senior Assayer / Lead Gold Tester
Quality Assurance Manager (Precious Metals / Jewelry)
Metallurgist or Analytical Laboratory Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control Technician (Manufacturing / Refining)
Procurement / Supplier Quality Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform precise purity and composition testing of gold and other precious metals using industry-standard techniques including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), fire assay, gravimetric analysis, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES/ICP-MS) to deliver accurate assay reports.
Prepare and homogenize samples from bars, coins, scrap jewelry, and ore using proper sample preparation methods (pulverizing, fusion, dissolving) while maintaining contamination-free procedures.
Operate, calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments (XRF analyzers, spectrometers, balances, muffle furnaces) according to manufacturer guidance and internal SOPs to ensure consistent test results and traceability.
Execute wet chemistry and classical assay techniques (cupellation, aqua regia digestion, titration) with strict adherence to safety protocols, chemical handling standards, and waste disposal regulations.
Validate and verify results by running blanks, standards, certified reference materials (CRMs) and replicate analyses as part of QA/QC processes to minimize measurement uncertainty and flag anomalies.
Record and manage chain-of-custody documentation for all received samples, ensuring clear labelling, accession logs, and inventory reconciliation between assay results and physical stock.
Interpret assay data and produce detailed, customer-ready reports that include method descriptions, result uncertainty, and acceptance criteria for karat, fineness, or ppm concentrations.
Investigate and resolve discrepant or unexpected assay results by re-analyzing samples, reviewing instrument logs, and coordinating with production, purchasing, or refiners to determine root cause.
Apply hallmarking, karat stamping and physical inspection protocols to jewelry and finished goods, ensuring legal compliance with regional hallmark laws and internal quality standards.
Conduct non-destructive testing (NDT) and verification methods such as electronic gold testing, density (specific gravity) testing, and surface acid tests for rapid field screening and acceptance decisions.
Support incoming goods inspection and quarantine processes by testing supplier shipments for purity, counterfeit detection, and correct documentation before release to inventory.
Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), method validation records, and instrument maintenance logs to comply with internal quality systems and external accreditations (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025).
Collaborate with refineries, assay offices, and laboratories to coordinate sample submissions, secondary confirmatory testing, and technical exchanges for complex or high-value samples.
Participate in internal and external audits, provide technical clarification, and implement corrective actions for non-conformances related to assay quality or lab practices.
Train and mentor junior technicians and temporary staff on assay methods, safety protocols, and data entry standards to build team capability and maintain continuity of testing operations.
Use laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or electronic record systems to log sample metadata, test results, report generation, and data backups, ensuring data integrity and secure storage.
Monitor inventory of reagents, reference materials, and consumables; order and validate new batches of reagents and CRMs to preserve consistency across assay runs.
Implement health & safety and environmental guidelines for handling acids, lead, mercury and other hazardous materials encountered in metal testing, and maintain MSDS records.
Conduct periodic proficiency testing and inter-laboratory comparisons to benchmark performance, validate methods and demonstrate ongoing competency in precious metals analysis.
Advise purchasing and sourcing teams on supplier selection, purity specifications, and acceptance criteria for metal purchases and returns based on analytical findings.
Support returns, claims and dispute resolution by providing clear assay documentation, retesting evidence, and technical statements for customers and suppliers.
Maintain meticulous calibration schedules, equipment performance verification records, and preventative maintenance plans to minimize downtime and ensure legal defensibility of results.
Provide technical input into product development or reclamation workflows where metal recovery, plating thickness, or alloy composition impacts manufacturability or compliance.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc investigations into suspected counterfeit or fraud cases involving gold items and prepare chain-of-evidence documentation for legal follow-up if required.
Assist production teams with guidance on acceptable scrap segregation and sampling plans to improve downstream assay accuracy and material yield.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen) to optimize lab workflow, reduce cross-contamination risk, and improve throughput.
Contribute to the organization’s quality management system by documenting process improvements, non-conformance reports and corrective/preventive actions.
Provide technical guidance to sales and customer service on assay result implications, karat tolerances, and product disclaimers.
Coordinate with shipping and logistics for secure transfer of high-value samples and bullion, ensuring insured transport and appropriate controls.
Maintain awareness of market trends and regulatory changes in hallmarking, precious metal valuation, and environmental requirements that affect assay practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

XRF (X-ray fluorescence) operation, calibration, and routine maintenance for non-destructive precious metals analysis.
Fire assay (cupellation) technique including sample fusion, lead collection, and precious metal bead weighing.
ICP-OES / ICP-MS operation or familiarity with spectrometry workflows for multi-element analysis and trace impurity detection.
Wet chemistry skills: aqua regia digestion, dissolution, titration, and gravimetric analysis for classical assay methods.
Use of electronic gold testers, density/specific gravity measurement, and acid testing for rapid karat verification.
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or electronic laboratory notebook experience for sample tracking and report generation.
QA/QC best practices: use of certified reference materials (CRMs), control charts, method validation and measurement uncertainty calculation.
ISO/IEC 17025 understanding or experience with accredited laboratory practices, audit readiness and documentation control.
Precision weighing and microbalance operation with knowledge of calibration and environmental controls for high-accuracy mass measurement.
Sample preparation: cutting, filing, pulverizing, fusion beads, and safe hazardous chemical handling.
Chain-of-custody management and secure inventory reconciliation for bullion, scrap and finished goods.
Basic metallurgy knowledge: karat systems, common alloys, plating identification, solder and solderability impacts on assay.
Safety and environmental compliance for handling acids, heavy metals and furnace operations (MSDS, PPE, ventilation).
Data analysis and report writing skills, including interpretation of assay uncertainty and communicating technical findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and methodical approach to ensure accuracy in high-value assays and documentation.
Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to investigate discrepant results and determine root causes.
Clear communication and technical writing for concise assay reports and interdepartmental feedback.
Reliability and integrity when handling high-value items and maintaining chain-of-custody.
Time management and prioritization to balance urgent customer samples with routine QC workloads.
Team collaboration and mentorship to support junior lab staff and maintain consistent practices.
Adaptability to new instrumentation, updated methods, and evolving regulatory requirements.
Customer-focused mentality when supporting returns, claims, and supplier discussions.
Discretion and confidentiality when dealing with proprietary designs or high-net-worth client items.
Continuous learning mindset to stay current with assay technology and precious metals market developments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with formal on-the-job training in laboratory techniques, metallurgy, or jewelry inspection.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Metallurgy, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Analytical Chemistry
Metallurgy / Materials Science
Jewelry Technology / Bench Jeweler Programs
Laboratory Technology / Chemical Laboratory Science
Mineral Processing / Geology (for mining assay roles)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of hands-on experience in precious metals testing, jewelry quality inspection, or laboratory assay work.

Preferred:

3+ years in a dedicated assay laboratory or refinery environment with direct experience in fire assay, XRF, and QA/QC procedures; experience with ISO/IEC 17025 or equivalent accreditation is highly desirable.