The document presents a webinar on precious metals testing, focusing on gold jewelry and various testing methods. It emphasizes the advantages of portable XRF for accurate, non-destructive testing compared to traditional methods. The growing need for effective testing methods in the jewelry market is highlighted, showcasing Thermo Fisher Scientific's role in this field.

1. The world leader in serving science
Nov. 10, 2015
Precious Metals Testing – with Portable XRF

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Today’s Presenters
Jonathan Margalit
Market Development Manager
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Seth Gold
Vice President
American Jewelry & Loan

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Webinar Overview
• Introduction and Fun Facts
• Precious Metal Jewelry
• Gold Testing Methods
• Thermo ScientificTM NitonTM AuDITOR
• Conclusions and Q&A

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We Are The World Leader in Serving Science
Premier Brands
• 50,000 employees in 50 countries
• $17 billion in annual revenues
• Unparalleled commercial reach
Unmatched Depth
• Leading innovative technologies
• Applications expertise
• Lab productivity partner
Global Scale

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Goldfinger Was Wrong!
• The world’s largest
stockpile of gold is NOT
in Fort Knox.
• It’s in the NY Federal
Reserve, holding 25% of
the world's reserve.

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Thinner Than a Human Hair
The visor of an astronaut’s space helmet receives 0.00005 millimeters
gold coating -- that’s 500 times thinner than a human hair!

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What are Precious Metals Anyway?

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• Gold jewelry comes in hundreds of alloy
types
 Yellow, white, red gold are most common
 Silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) are most common
alloying alloys
Types of Gold Jewelry
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold
• Jewelry is the most pawned item in the world
 Gold, silver, diamond, gems, pearls

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Gold Jewelry – Karat Terminology
Not to be confused with the
“carat” unit used to describe
the weight of diamonds:
1 carat = 200 mg

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Gold Testing Methods – The Biting Test …. Ouch!
Pro -- easy to use, affordable Con -- …. !!

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• Determines the approximate concentration of gold
• Scratch a jewelry item on a testing stone and apply a series of acids to the
scratch residue
 Acids test to the nearest karat (typically 10, 14, 18, and 22)
Gold Testing Methods – Acid / Scratch Test
Inexpensive and easy to obtain
Can be fooled by resistant materials
Semi-quantitative and subjective
Does not report the actual gold amount
Is it 14k gold or not?
Harmful -- can burn / blister skin
Destructive

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Semi-quantitative
• At gold price = $1,200/oz
• Value of a 25 gram chain
 10K = $402
 14K = $563
 18K = $724
 22K = $885
• Every 4k represents $161 in value
Can be fooled by stainless steels
• Necklace below has an engraving “0.750”
(equivalent to 18 karat)
• Passed as white gold
• Real composition? Not a spec of gold!
• What is it? stainless steel
(Fe=71.90, Cr=12.71, Mn=8.70, Ni=4.29, Cu=2.37)
The Problem with the Acid Test

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Semi-quantitative
• At gold price = $1,200/oz
• Value of a 25 gram chain
 10K = $402
 14K = $563
 18K = $724
 22K = $885
• Every 4k represents $161 in value
Can be fooled by stainless steels
• Necklace below has an engraving “0.750”
(equivalent to 18 karat)
• Passed as white gold
• Real composition? Not a spec of gold!
• What is it? stainless steel
(Fe=71.90, Cr=12.71, Mn=8.70, Ni=4.29, Cu=2.37)
The Problem with the Acid Test
*Assumptions: Gold @ $1,150/oz., necklace weighs 25 grams

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• Gold content determined by electrical conductivity
• Cost ≈ $150-$800; non destructive
• Limited gold-plating detection capability
• Restricted to 2-3 elements
• Requires calibration and cleaning of the sensor tip
• Operation outside of optimal range may decrease accuracy
Gold Testing Methods – Electronic Testers

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• XRF = X-Ray Fluorescence
• Surface technology for elemental analysis
• Sophisticated method in an incredibly easy-to-use interface
Light weight and rugged
Portable
Instant, actionable data for quick decision making
Near lab accuracy
Multi-element analysis
Non-destructive
Gold Testing Methods – Portable XRF

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How Does Portable XRF Work?
1. Primary x-ray ejects K-shell
electron
2. Electrons from higher shells fill in
the gaps
3. Differential energy state is
released as fluorescence x-rays
(element-specific)
4. The x-ray energies are analyzed and
compared with a built-in alloy library
5. Output:
- Spectra
- Positive grade identification
- Elemental composition
- Match level (0-4)

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• A common method to determine the purity of gold artifacts
• Consists of a complex, multi-step chemical process, which separates
gold from the rest
 Requires the storage, usage, and
disposal of harsh chemicals
 A destructive method
 Capable of detecting only a few
precious metals (typically gold)
 Very accurate, IF and ONLY IF,
done correctly!
XRF vs the Gold Standard Method -- Fire Assay

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Precious Metals XRF Analyzers: Options
Same analytical performance.
Both backed by comprehensive service & maintenance programs.
• Elegant retail design
• Windows keep jewelry in sight
• Built-in camera & Small Spot
• Ultimate in portability
• Tests any size object
• Comes with test stand
Handheld Desktop

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AuDIT
Thermo Scientific Au Detection &
Identification Technology
Patented
Only from Thermo Fisher Scientific
Immediately identify gold-plated jewelry
of light-to-medium thickness
Gold Plating Detection with Niton XRF Analyzers

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Niton AuDITOR Payback Calculator

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Certification and Leasing Programs

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• Jewelry is the most pawned item in the world
• Precious metals jewelry includes gold, silver, and platinum
• The need to determine accurately the gold content in jewelry and other
artifacts is greater than ever
• There are several commercial methods used to measure the content of
gold and other precious metals
• Portable XRF is a cost-effective, accurate, non-destructive, and user-
friendly method
Summary and Conclusion

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Thank You!
For more information, visit
www.thermoscientific.com/portableid
Or contact Jonathan Margalit @
jonathan.margalit@thermofisher.com
1-978-215-1649 or 1-800-875-1578