From: azothath <azothath@my-deja.com>
Subject: [Suplmnt] Refining Gold and Silver
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 15:09:23 GMT

Okay - in this thread we can discuss methods of refining precious metals
in a game environment or historical context.

I'm aware that during the spanish invasion of the americas that gold
refinement produced palladium and platinum, which were thought to be
rather worthless metals (particularly palladium) adulterating the gold.
Logs of silver and gold were produced on the return voyage.  The logs
were cut with a large steel knife and stamped with the king's seal for
purity and sold at the docks and from the king's treasury.

Also there are seveal known facts about acids and the solubilities of
metals(metallic salts) from the alchemists.

As for historical methods of refinement (pre 1800s) I'm not sure of
these.

In game, well, magic would be the fastest form of refinement depending
upon your game setting.