Precious metals testing with ED-XRF spectrometry

Application Brief

Precious metals testing with ED-XRF spectrometry

Precious metals demand careful analysis, especially with metals with high monetary values like:

  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Platinum
  • Iridium
  • Palladium
  • Rhodium and
  • Ruthenium

which means that information about their content is a prime consideration when trading in these metals, or in jewelry or other products made from them.

Elemental analysis may occur at many different points in the complex precious metals supply/ recycling chain, including Refineries | Jewelry Manufacturers | Hallmarking Centers | Assay Offices | Jewelry Shops | Purity Verification Centers | Pawn Shops.

The presence of other elements in minor or trace amounts can sometimes be difficult to detect but can have a dramatic effect on value. ED-XRF spectrometers, a precious metal testing equipment have become the preferred means of analysis at many of these key supply points.

This paper examines the effectiveness of the next generation SPECTRO MIDEX with regards to precision and accuracy, including analytical results, for precious metals testing.