LA-ICP-MS analysis of platinum-group elements and other elements of interest in ancient gold

One of the most promising methods for ancient gold analysis is laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). It is a quasi-non-destructive multi-elemental analytical method with detection limits in the range of ppm or below, depending on the element. Internal and external standardizations are used. Different types of standards are necessary to measure major (required for the internal standardization), minor and trace elements. High-purity gold standards doped with trace elements as well as ancient gold coins were found suitable for that purpose. The reproducibility and the accuracy of the results obtained are good enough to consider LA-ICP-MS as reliable to determine trace-element concentrations in ancient gold. PACS 81.70; 82.80