The application of the dry-chemical process for the determination of precious metals, known as “docimasy”, was developed more than 2,500 years ago in the mining industry of antiquity and originated as a derivative of the refining processes commonly used at that time. At that time, it was primarily used to quickly and easily determine the smelting properties of ores. The term “docimasy” is derived from Greek. Proof of the antiquity of this procedure is shown by a reference to the Bible. “I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways.” (Jer 6, 27-30).