A professional who tests ores and minerals and analyzes results to determine value and properties of components, using spectrographic analysis, chemical solutions, and chemical or laboratory equipment, such as furnaces, beakers, graduates, pipettes, and crucibles. Responsibilities include:

• Separates metals or other components from dross materials by solution, flotation, or other liquid processes, or by dry methods, such as application of heat to form slags of lead, borax, and other impurities.
• Weighs residues on balance scale to determine proportion of pure gold, silver, platinum, or other metals or components.
• May specialize in testing and analyzing precious metals and be designated Gold-And-Silver Assayer.