Ping tests, electrical conductivity devices, and acid tests have played a role in determining precious metal content and karat value but they all have their limitations. With the rise of counterfeit precious metals and exotic techniques implemented in manufacturing such fakes, better analysis is needed. A non-destructive technology for analyzing and verifying precious metal content is X-ray fluorescence (XRF).

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is an analytical technique used to determine the chemical composition of materials. XRF occurs when a fluorescent (or secondary) x-ray is emitted from a sample that is being excited by a primary x-ray source. These x-rays are typically emitted from a miniaturized x-ray tube.

This fluorescence is unique to the elemental composition of the sample and XRF remains an excellent technology for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the material composition.

Each of the elements present in a sample produces a unique set of characteristic x-rays that is a “fingerprint” for that specific element. XRF analyzers determine the chemistry of a sample by measuring the spectrum of the characteristic x-ray emitted by the different elements in the sample when x-rays illuminate it.

XRF quickly provides the exact percentages of all elements within an item – easily identifying non-standard, under-karated, and even sophisticated counterfeit precious metals that acid testing is incapable of differentiating.

Unless the item is sealed from a Sovereign mint with assay, we will not deliver any coin, round or bar under 10 ounces without XRF or similar certification for the clientele of our firm. In this manner, we are one of the very few firms ensuring our clientele the integrity of their purchase is absolutely as stated and vetted for counterfeits.