Melting

Melting and casting are the primary stages in the production of semi-fabricated gold alloys. In melting, solid metal is reduced to the liquid state by heating it above its melting point. The correct amount of the different metals to make up the right assay in the alloy can be added. Melting may be undertaken in air using gas or electricity (induction) as the heat source, or under an inert or reducing atmosphere or under vacuum to inhibit the formation of metal oxides.