High Performance Gold Assay using X-Ray Fluorescence

Gold is a staple element in the jewelry industry due to its malleability, resistance to tarnish and rust, and durability when alloyed with other metals. The most common gold alloys we see today are 14 karat (14K) for everyday jewelry, 18K for finer jewelry such as engagement rings, 22K for high-end jewelry, and even 24K, pure gold jewelry.

Gold (Au) Assay refers to an application that measures the composition of gold-based alloys. This process is crucial in the context of the jewelry and precious metals industry because monitoring and controlling the quality of the gold grain allows for retailers and refiners to confirm authenticity of gold jewelry and determine the concentrations of gold-based alloys.

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) is a test method that is fast, reliable, and requires little to no sample preparation. High-resolution silicon drift detectors (SDDs) for the highest count rates and calibrations capable of analyzing up to 30 elements simultaneously come standard in every unit in the Bowman benchtop XRF suite, making it the ideal tool for determining gold karat values in any sample.

All of Bowman's XRF systems are equipped with Silicon Drift Detectors to accurately and precisely determine the elemental composition. The latest detector developments of SDDs provide the best resolution, lowest noise level (highest signal/noise ratio), and shortest test times while providing accurate and reliable results.

Read our latest application bulletin to learn more about how you can use XRF to analyze precious metals!