Measure fine-gold recovery rather than relying on gross weight. This is useful when alloy composition changes or when jewellery is processed, melted, refined or reclaimed.
The important comparison is between fine gold contained in the feed and fine gold present in the recovered material. Gross weight alone can produce a misleading recovery percentage.
Jewellery is commonly an alloy rather than pure gold. A process can reduce gross weight while concentrating gold, so recovered purity should be considered when evaluating the metal balance.
An apparent recovery above 100% is a reconciliation warning. Review weighing, sampling, assay representativeness, additions and the time period included in each measurement.
The recovered fine-gold content divided by the theoretical fine-gold content in the feed.
Yes. Removing alloy or other material can reduce gross weight while retaining most of the gold.
For serious reconciliation, representative assay information is preferable to assumed purity.