Handheld XRF Analyzer “guns” with an appropriate calibration work wonders when it comes to analyzing precious metals swiftly, precisely and easily, not to mention non-destructively. In this lies a tremendous value to all precious metals specialists, recyclers, refiners, as well as precious metal prospectors, miners and bulk jewelry professionals. Chemical assay, fire assay and other alternative methods of testing precious metals seem increasingly out-of-place in the 21st century. Handheld XRF puts this catch-all, state of the art metal testing method literally in your hands. If you would like to know how XRF analysis could help your particular case, get in touch for a quick, free analysis of your needs, and an expert evaluation of what results you can expect, as well as any questions you may have about specifics of XRF analysis for precious metals.

For details of specific analyses, see the following pages:

• XRF Gold Analysis and Testing (Au)
• XRF Silver XRF Testing (Ag)
• XRF Platinum Analysis (Pt)
• XRF Palladium Analysis and Testing (Pd)
• XRF Rhodium Analysis (Rh)
• Precious Metals in Catalytic Converters
• Precious Metal Recovery

Precious metals are today of interest for jewelry, industrial use, and investment. With handheld XRF, these can be detected and tested for content and purity with extreme ease.  Given today’s high value of these metals, many jewelry stores have become involved in the purchase of old jewelry and scrap jewelry.  Using a handheld XRF analyzer, it is possible to determine the content of the item offered for sale and its karat value, in less than a minute.

Using a Silicon Drift Detector (SDD), it is possible to come very close to Fire Assay. Fire assay determines precious metal content by measuring weight loss after removing base metals via cupellation whereas XRF analyzers use x-ray fluorescence to excite the sample and calculate returning characteristic x-rays. A skilled operator of Fire Assay can produce results that are accurate to 0.035%. Of course, this takes time and most certainly, not all operators are created equal. Anyone over the age of 18 can be taught to operate an XRF in less than half an hour. For speedy and accurate evaluation of precious metals, handheld XRF has become the tool of choice. Talk to one of our specialists about handheld XRF for precious metals analysis!

The XRF analyzer can identify karats and percentage of gold and percentage of silver, platinum and other precious metals in less than 3 seconds as well as perform a complete analysis in less than 10 seconds while the seller waits. Since the instrument displays the value to one hundredth of a decimal point, you will not only be able to identify if the gold jewelry you are about to buy is below karat, you will be able to identify by exactly how much as well. Analyze jewelry as is; no preparation of the material is necessary. This non-destructive method can analyze Au, Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), and many more precious and base metal alloys:

• Karat Gold
• Low grade Gold
• Gold Plated
• Silver grades: 90% Ag-coins, 92.5% Ag-sterling, 95% Ag+
• Platinum Alloys: Pt950/Ru (Ruthenium), Pt900/Ir (Iridium), Pt950/Co (Cobalt), Pt950/Ir

Smaller samples can be analyzed in the test stand which turns your handheld XRF into a bench top XRF. Using XRF to analyze precious metals encompasses a multitude of advantages. Avoid being exposed to harsh chemicals, speed up your work process and revel in the fact that XRF analysis provides results close to Fire Assay yet it takes a fraction of the time to achieve results. Contact our expert sales assistants now!