Training Courses, Consultancy Analysis

TRAINING IN PRECIOUS METAL ASSAYING

The Laboratory holds courses at the Birmingham Assay Office under the supervision of the Chief Assayer - Mr Dippal Manchanda

Dippal Manchanda (below left) is the Chief Assayer at the Birmingham Assay Office, working on both non-statutory technical projects and day-to-day assay management. He holds a Masters degree (MSc) in Inorganic Chemistry and has over 20 years experience in assaying and the examination of precious metals and alloys. He is also a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a Chartered Chemist and Chartered Scientist. Since completing his Masters Degree, Dippal has spent his entire career in the field of precious metals and has been involved in several projects including setting up a state of the art Gold/Silver Medallion Manufacturing facility for a Public Sector Undertaking in India. In his role as Chief Assayer, he is responsible for setting, managing and maintaining high analytical standards throughout the Assay Office and providing scientific and technical support on a day-to-day basis to both statutory and non-statutory parts of the business.

He had undertaken major research in cooperation with Cooksons Precious Metals which has resulted in the defining of a numerical grading system for Colour Measurement and Grading of White Gold alloys. His most recent project has been the development of a new portfolio of tests which assess the susceptibility of items to tarnishing.  Dippal is truly exceptional in this industry.

For more information or to book places on the following courses please contact: Dippal Manchanda Telephone: 0121 236 6951 Email: dippal.manchanda@theassayoffice.co.uk
The Laboratory can also provide bespoke consultancy and training services.

MODULE A

SAMPLING AND HALLMARKING OF JEWELLERY (Gold/Silver)

COURSE OBJECTIVE

This is a comprehensive five-day course designed to provide fundamental, laboratory and practical training in Fire Assay and silver analysis techniques. This course will be valuable to both technical and non-technical personnel. The course will include:

• Lectures on the technical aspects of assaying gold by the cupellation method and sources of error including awareness of the effect of the presence of platinum group metals and nickel. The lectures cover the Fire Assay Procedure such as Sampling, Weighing, Cupellation, Proof assay; Surcharge Results, Parting, Annealing and Calculations and source of error associated with each and every step in detail.·

• Practical training on Touchstone and acid testing, Sampling, weighing and comprehensive Fire Assay lab Session. In addition, a general appreciation of all aspects of hallmarking will be given.

• Micro-Assays - All Carats

• Determination of Au/Ag in Sweeps by scorification. ·

• Volumetric titration of silver and alternative techniques. ·

•  Overview of all production procedures. (Side by side of training).  Literature will be provided.  Course details and timings may be modified according to individual requirements after initial evaluation at the commencement of the course. A certificate of training will be issued to the trainee on completion of the course provided a satisfactory performance has been achieved.

COURSE FEE: Upon application.  For more information, fees, dates, availability please contact

Chief Assayer/Technical Director - Mr Dippal Manchanda   

Tel:  0121 236 6951    Email: dippal.manchanda@theassayoffice.co.uk

MODULE B

SAMPLING AND HALLMARKING OF JEWELLERY (Gold/Silver/Platinum)

COURSE OBJECTIVE

This is a comprehensive ten-day course designed to provide fundamental, laboratory and practical training in Fire Assay and Platinum/silver analysis techniques. The course will include:

Lectures on the technical aspects of assaying gold by the cupellation method and sources of error including awareness of effect of the presence of platinum group metals and nickel.

• Lectures cover the Fire Assay Procedure such as Sampling, Weighing, Cupellation, Proof assay; Surcharge Results, Parting, Annealing and Calculations and sources of error associated with each and every step in detail.

• Practical training on Touchstone and acid testing, Sampling, weighing and comprehensive Fire Assay lab Session. In addition, a general appreciation of all aspects of hallmarking will be given. 

• Micro-Assays - All Carats.

• Determination of Au/Ag in Sweeps by scorification.

• Volumetric titration of silver and alternative techniques such as Potentiometric titration.·

• Use of the latest technology such as ICP, AAS and XRF for determining metal content in jewellery alloys with specific reference to determination of Platinum/Palladium and Nickel by AAS or by ICP as necessary.

• Overview of all production procedures. (Side by side of training).  Literature will be provided.  Course details and timings may be modified according to individual requirements after initial evaluation at the commencement of the course. A certificate of training will be issued to the trainee on completion of the course provided a satisfactory performance has been achieved.  Any of the following topics may be included in the training course depending on individual requirements of the organisation concerned.· Analysis of Platinum group metal elements by ICP· Analysis of Dental alloys· Complete training course on ICP· Assay methods: Classical, Fire and Instrumental· Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs· Equipment recommendation.

COURSE FEE: Upon application.  For more information, fees, dates, availability please contact

Chief Assayer/Technical Director - Mr Dippal Manchanda