A method is described for the solvent extraction of gold from bromide media with triphenylphosphine sulfide dissolved in toluene as an extractant. The method permits determination of gold in Ayurvedic medicines. The average recovery of gold is greater than or equal to 99.0%. Log-log plots are used to ascertain the probable extractable species. The method also permits separation of gold(III) from copper(II), lead(TI), palladium(II), and platinum(IV).