Programme for precious metals testing (training)

Project Description

State Office for Metrology (DZM), the Division for precious metals, Laboratory for chemical measurements (LKM) in Zagreb, Croatia and the Institute of Metrology, Department of chemical measurements (MIRS-SKM) in Celje, Slovenia, organized in the framework of the Action Plan of EURAMET a joint-seminar-training entitled The programme for testing of precious metals.

Mentioned seminar-training is prepared for the laboratory staff of the Balkan region countries which are already engaged (or will be engaged) in testing alloys of precious metals.

The first part of the programme for testing of precious metals held on 24th and 25 March 2009. in Zagreb, Croatia, organized by DZM, Division for precious metals, Laboratory for chemical measurements (LKM). The participants in the programme for testing precious metals were:

Biljana Mishevska, Macedonia, Beti Vukovojac, Macedonia, Danka Pavlovic, Serbia, Jasmina Jovic, Serbia, Aida Krecinic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lejla Heric, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mirjana Mihailovic, Montenegro, Milena Raonic, Montenegro and Erinda Piluri, Albania.

First day (24.03.2009.) of the programme for testing precious metals comprised of a theoretical part in the form of presentations, prepared by trainers Miroslav Banic, Jadranka Rukavina and Stela Pili as follows:

1. Reference materials, traceability, uncertainty: Miroslav Banic
2. XRF method for testing precious metals:  Jadranka Rukavina
3. Method of determining silver by using potenciometric titration: Stela Pili

Upon completion of each of these presentations, round-table is organized. Moderators were Miroslav Banic, Jadranka Rukavina and Stela Pili, and all participants had the possibility to make questions and discuss ways of dealing with individual problems.

All of these presentations, as well as detailed information on the above program for testing of precious metals and on the participants are put on the web-site of the Croatian State Office for Metrology (www.dzm.hr).

Second day (25.03.2009.) the programme for testing precious metals is conducted in the Laboratory of chemical measurements (LKM) in Zagreb in the practical work of testing different samples of items from precious metals (mostly different alloys of yellow and white gold). The afore mentioned trainers presented testing by XRF-method on instrument Eagle III and all participants had the possibility of using a measurement instrument Eagle III in consultation with their trainers.

The way of determination of silver concentration in the samples of silver alloys using so-called Mettler-potentiometric titration method are demonstrated to all participants. Upon completion of practical work, participants had the opportunity to discuss various methods and ways of expression of the measurement results and opportunities of different measurement methods.