How to Make Pure GoldHow to Make Pure Gold
The Miller and Wohlwill ProcessesThe Miller and Wohlwill Processes
Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454
Refining Pure GoldRefining Pure Gold
• Many industries require samples of pure gold.
– However, pure gold is extremely rare in traditional mining.
• Pure gold must be created by
professional metal refinersprofessional metal refiners.
• Two popular techniques for creating pure gold are
the Miller Process and the Wohlwill Process.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
Miller Process MaterialsMiller Process Materials
• Dr. Francis Bowyer Miller rocked the world of
gold refininggold refining when he created a cheap and easy way
to purify gold – the Miller Process.
• The Miller Process requires these components:
– Sample of impure gold
– Induction furnace
– Graphite crucible
– Chlorine gas
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
How the Miller Process WorksHow the Miller Process Works
• Gold is inert to a majority of chemicals. Its impurities
(such as zinc, copper and iron) are not.
• The first step in the Miller Process is to use an
induction furnace to melt the gold sample in a
crucible.
• Once the sample is liquefied pure chlorine gas is
blown across it.
– This causes the impurities to form chlorides which rise to
the top of the crucible.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
How the Miller Process WorksHow the Miller Process Works
• The final step is to skim the chlorides off the
surface of the melted gold.
• Once the chlorides have been removed the
gold that remains is about 99.95% pure gold…
• But for some applications that isn’t pure
enough.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
Wohlwill Process MaterialsWohlwill Process Materials
• Hans Emil Wohlwill developed a method to create
even purer samples of gold – the Wohlwill Process.
– However, it’s much more expensive and complex than the
Miller Process.
• The Wohlwill Process requires:
– An anode – an electrode through which electric current
flows into a polarized electrical device.
– An cathode – an electrode through which electric current
flows out of a polarized electrical device.
– An electrolyte – an electrically conductive substance.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
The Anode, Cathode,The Anode, Cathode,
and Electrolyteand Electrolyte
• Each component is made of gold.
– The anode is made of somewhat impure gold,
about 95% purity or higher. (Lower purity will
reduce the efficiency of the Wohlwill Process).
– The cathode is made out of pure 24k gold sheets.
– The electrolyte is pure chloroauric acid which is
made by dissolving gold in aqua regia.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
How the Wohlwill Process WorksHow the Wohlwill Process Works
• With the components properly arranged an electric
current is applied.
• Electricity travels from the anode through the
conductive electrolyte and into the cathode.
– When this occurs the gold in the impure anode dissolves
and its ions travel through the chloroauric acid then
electroplate or “stick” to the 24k gold cathode.
• This Wohlwill Process continues until the anode is
completely dissolved.
– The pure gold cathode is then melted down to be used.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
Miller vs. WohlwillMiller vs. Wohlwill
• To perform the Wohlwill Process a refiner
must have enough gold for anodes, cathodes
and chloroauric acid.
– It takes gold to make gold.
• Unless ultra-high purity gold is needed the
Miller Process is the preferred way to purify
gold.
About MGSAbout MGS
Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454
• Manhattan Gold & Silver (MGS) is a precious metals refiner that has been
based in Manhattan’s historic Diamond District since 1985. We are a B2B
company that buys and recycles precious metal scraps that accumulate in
other businesses.
• We serve:
– Jewelers
– Pawnbrokers
– Dentists
– The industrial sector
– Antique dealers
– Machinists
– And more!
• MGS also creates charts, calculators, and other online tools for our
customers to use.
– Try our Precious Metals Prices app, which lets you monitor the real-time precious metals
market situation from anywhere, right from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Recycle your PreciousRecycle your Precious
Metals for ProfitMetals for Profit
• MGS accepts gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
• Payouts are based on the London Fixing.
• Up to 99% payout (among the highest in the US)
– Up to 98.5% for gold brought in for hand testing.
• Not in NYC? Ship us your precious metals using our
Ship & Sell service which offers:
– Same day wired payment (once lot is received)
– Discounted, insured shipping
– Payout calculator
Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454
Connect with MGSConnect with MGS
• For amazing facts, history and news, read our
gold and precious metals blog.
• Join the conversation about precious metals on the MGS page on
Facebook.
• Follow gold, silver, and other precious metal trends at the MGS
Twitter account.
• Circle MGS on Google+ to hear our latest updates.
• If you do business with us, connect with us on the MGS LinkedIn
page.
• To see precious metal melting and refinement in action, visit the
MGS YouTube channel.
Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

How to Make Pure Gold

  • 1.
    How to MakePure GoldHow to Make Pure Gold The Miller and Wohlwill ProcessesThe Miller and Wohlwill Processes Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454
  • 2.
    Refining Pure GoldRefiningPure Gold • Many industries require samples of pure gold. – However, pure gold is extremely rare in traditional mining. • Pure gold must be created by professional metal refinersprofessional metal refiners. • Two popular techniques for creating pure gold are the Miller Process and the Wohlwill Process. 2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454
  • 3.
    2013 © ManhattanGold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454 Miller Process MaterialsMiller Process Materials • Dr. Francis Bowyer Miller rocked the world of gold refininggold refining when he created a cheap and easy way to purify gold – the Miller Process. • The Miller Process requires these components: – Sample of impure gold – Induction furnace – Graphite crucible – Chlorine gas
  • 4.
    2013 © ManhattanGold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454 How the Miller Process WorksHow the Miller Process Works • Gold is inert to a majority of chemicals. Its impurities (such as zinc, copper and iron) are not. • The first step in the Miller Process is to use an induction furnace to melt the gold sample in a crucible. • Once the sample is liquefied pure chlorine gas is blown across it. – This causes the impurities to form chlorides which rise to the top of the crucible.
  • 5.
    2013 © ManhattanGold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454 How the Miller Process WorksHow the Miller Process Works • The final step is to skim the chlorides off the surface of the melted gold. • Once the chlorides have been removed the gold that remains is about 99.95% pure gold… • But for some applications that isn’t pure enough.
  • 6.
    2013 © ManhattanGold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454 Wohlwill Process MaterialsWohlwill Process Materials • Hans Emil Wohlwill developed a method to create even purer samples of gold – the Wohlwill Process. – However, it’s much more expensive and complex than the Miller Process. • The Wohlwill Process requires: – An anode – an electrode through which electric current flows into a polarized electrical device. – An cathode – an electrode through which electric current flows out of a polarized electrical device. – An electrolyte – an electrically conductive substance.
  • 7.
    2013 © ManhattanGold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454 The Anode, Cathode,The Anode, Cathode, and Electrolyteand Electrolyte • Each component is made of gold. – The anode is made of somewhat impure gold, about 95% purity or higher. (Lower purity will reduce the efficiency of the Wohlwill Process). – The cathode is made out of pure 24k gold sheets. – The electrolyte is pure chloroauric acid which is made by dissolving gold in aqua regia.
  • 8.
    2013 © ManhattanGold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454 How the Wohlwill Process WorksHow the Wohlwill Process Works • With the components properly arranged an electric current is applied. • Electricity travels from the anode through the conductive electrolyte and into the cathode. – When this occurs the gold in the impure anode dissolves and its ions travel through the chloroauric acid then electroplate or “stick” to the 24k gold cathode. • This Wohlwill Process continues until the anode is completely dissolved. – The pure gold cathode is then melted down to be used.
  • 9.
    2013 © ManhattanGold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454 Miller vs. WohlwillMiller vs. Wohlwill • To perform the Wohlwill Process a refiner must have enough gold for anodes, cathodes and chloroauric acid. – It takes gold to make gold. • Unless ultra-high purity gold is needed the Miller Process is the preferred way to purify gold.
  • 10.
    About MGSAbout MGS ManhattanGold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454 • Manhattan Gold & Silver (MGS) is a precious metals refiner that has been based in Manhattan’s historic Diamond District since 1985. We are a B2B company that buys and recycles precious metal scraps that accumulate in other businesses. • We serve: – Jewelers – Pawnbrokers – Dentists – The industrial sector – Antique dealers – Machinists – And more! • MGS also creates charts, calculators, and other online tools for our customers to use. – Try our Precious Metals Prices app, which lets you monitor the real-time precious metals market situation from anywhere, right from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
  • 11.
    Recycle your PreciousRecycleyour Precious Metals for ProfitMetals for Profit • MGS accepts gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. • Payouts are based on the London Fixing. • Up to 99% payout (among the highest in the US) – Up to 98.5% for gold brought in for hand testing. • Not in NYC? Ship us your precious metals using our Ship & Sell service which offers: – Same day wired payment (once lot is received) – Discounted, insured shipping – Payout calculator Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454
  • 12.
    Connect with MGSConnectwith MGS • For amazing facts, history and news, read our gold and precious metals blog. • Join the conversation about precious metals on the MGS page on Facebook. • Follow gold, silver, and other precious metal trends at the MGS Twitter account. • Circle MGS on Google+ to hear our latest updates. • If you do business with us, connect with us on the MGS LinkedIn page. • To see precious metal melting and refinement in action, visit the MGS YouTube channel. Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454