Authenticity
Testing Gold and Silver Purity with FEDMAS Assay
A first-hand walkthrough of getting a silver bar independently assayed in KL.
Testing for gold purity can be done by sending it to your nearby goldsmith or jewelry retail shop. Testing the purity of your silver coins or bars, however, isn't always so simple - here's how the process works with an assay office.
FEDMAS Assay Office Sdn Bhd offers rapid assessment of metal products. They have 3 offices in Malaysia - Johor Bahru, Penang, and their main office in KL - and are able to test for both gold and silver purity. For more details, visit the FEDMAS website.
Here's our own experience having our Scottsdale "The One" 1oz Silver Bar tested by the KL branch. It's advisable to call ahead and make an appointment - we were advised the KL branch prefers afternoon walk-ins.
The KL branch is along Jalan Kelang Lama, behind Wisma Rockwills. Coming from the PJ direction, slow down at the Esso Petrol Station and turn left immediately after the police station - the junction is easy to miss, often blocked by cars parked along the kerb. Finding parking near the office can take some patience.
Look for a tired-looking coffee shop in the middle of the office block - the staircase to the office is on the left. Climb one flight of stairs and press the doorbell.
The chemist will greet you and ask you to fill in a form, for their billing and record purposes. Each silver test costs RM60 per item (correct at time of writing).
You can have your item tested without affecting its appearance, or opt for a more accurate destructive method on request - consult the chemist on duty about this.
After completing the form, hand over the piece of silver at the counter. Depending on workload and how many items are queued for testing, it can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes - wait at the counter, or grab a coffee at the shop below.
After the test, you'll receive a report stating the weight in grams and the concentration of the metal being tested. The machine used has a variance of 0.13%, and results are presented as a percentage - 99.5% and above is considered very good quality, accounting for that variance.
Have your own experience with a local assayer? We'd love to hear about it.
