MadModder
The Breakroom => The Bookshelf => Topic started by: PTsideshow on May 12, 2008, 06:23:28 AM
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Assayer's Guide
1852 edition
by Oscar M. Lieber
reprinted by Lindsay publications
copyright ©2004
ISBN#1-55918-310-1
Another historically interesting slim volume, that still could be used to today as the directions if one choice to gather the materials. As the time it was written some of the tests used today as standards. Were being still argued over as whether they gave accurate enough results. as in the Calorific content of coal and other fuels.
Having an interest in mining and geology, along with an interest in metals. It is interesting to see what was done to samples of the ore or metals to find there true value.
* Explanation of technical & scientific terms, along with implements and utensils used
* A number of silver ores and alloys methods are covered
* As with the gold ore methods are described as being the most popular and accurate
* Methods of assay for silver, copper and gold coinage, and alloys
* Calculations for finding the proportion of gold, in a quartz/gold mixture
* Methods for platinum,copper,lead,Iron and mercury ores.
* Assay of sulphurets in ores
* Morfits Cuppellation
Of course most of this has been replaced by some computer controlled operation in which a sample is atomically separated and the atoms are counted.
Given the facts that most of the materials and the processes used are now hazardous to people and the planet. It is an interesting read.