What is a Precious Metals Assayer?
An assayer is a Mint officer who tests and recognizes the title of metals that are to be used, or that have been manufactured. In addition, assayers can modify the properties of metals through technological processes.
When purchasing ingots, the assayer must be present on the certificate of authenticity. You'll also find the assayer 's stamp on the ingot. This assures you of the quality of your metal and lets you know the exact price.
Precious metals testers have a basic knowledge of metalworking. Their precise knowledge of previous stages of production and machining enables them to analyze the causes of detected defects. This in turn provides information on how to eliminate the sources of defects.
However, many of the products in circulation today were manufactured and/or controlled by organizations that no longer exist, have been bought out or have merged with others.
Examples include Comptoir Lyon Allemand, Laboratoire Dubois and Marret Bonin Lebel et Guieu.
Approved inspection bodies
Here are the precious metal assayers approved by the current French guarantee offices:
- COOKSON CLAL CRT Laboratory: Destructive testing, Touch-testing and Punching of new and used products.
- Comité FRANCECLAT: Destructive testing and punching of new structures.
- Laboratoire POURQUERY DMP: Destructive testing, touch-testing and punching of new and used products.
- SAAMP Laboratory: Destructive testing, touch-testing and punching of new and used products.
