[f. L. quart-us fourth + -ATION.] The operation of combining silver with gold so that the latter metal forms one quarter of the whole; the gold is then separated from the silver, and at the same time freed from its impurities, by means of nitric acid.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 273. Quartation is the separation of Gold and Silver mixt together, by four unequal parts.
1680. Boyle, Scept. Chem., II. 144. That Operation that Refiners call Quartation, which they employ to purifie Gold.
1758. Reid, trans. Macquer’s Chym., i. 149. The gold … is frequently alloyed with more or less silver, from which it is to be separated by quartation.
1868. Seyd, Bullion, 219. Fine Gold may also be assayed without Quartation.
