This was a specialized assayer or refiner who focused on parting gold from silver, often using nitric acid or cementation processes. The role required precise control of strong acids and heat to dissolve the silver while leaving the gold intact. Their work ensured the purity of bullion for coinage and high-end metalwork.
Heard on the job
The records show the mint employed a master departer to process the raw silver coming in from the mines.
Also heard as
- parter
Related terms
Cementation
A solid-state process where a metal absorbs another element into its surface through prolonged heating.
Liquation
The process of separating metals with different melting points by partially melting the mixture.
Smelting
The extractive process of heating an ore with a reducing agent to produce base metal.