For jewellers and businesses
Free XRF testing
Bring us your unhallmarked, mixed or doubtful pieces. We test them on our XRF analyser while you wait, free of charge, with no obligation to sell.
What XRF is
XRF stands for X-ray fluorescence — a non-destructive way of reading the elemental make-up of a metal in about thirty seconds, without scratching, filing or acid. It tells you the carat or fineness of a piece, hallmarked or not.
Free and no obligation
We test your items at no charge and give you the reading in writing. You are under no obligation to sell anything to us, then or later.
Who it is for
Jewellers, goldsmiths, pawnbrokers, auction houses, solicitors and anyone in business who handles precious metals and wants a fast, independent reading.
How XRF testing works
A reading in about thirty seconds, without damaging the piece
XRF is the same technology assay offices and refineries use to verify metal. Here is what actually happens when we test a piece in front of you.
- 01
The analyser fires a low-energy X-ray beam
The handheld unit is held against the surface of the piece and fires a short, low-energy X-ray pulse at the metal. Nothing is cut, filed or scratched — the item comes back exactly as it went in.
- 02
The metal atoms fluoresce
The X-rays excite the atoms in the metal, which respond by emitting their own secondary X-rays. This is the "fluorescence" the technique is named for.
- 03
Each element has a fingerprint
Every element — gold, silver, copper, zinc, platinum and so on — emits at a characteristic energy the analyser can identify. The unit reads those emissions and works out exactly which elements are present and in what proportion.
- 04
You get a carat or fineness reading
In about thirty seconds the analyser reports the composition of the piece, which gives you the carat (for gold) or fineness (for silver and platinum), hallmarked or not. We give you the result in writing.
Non-destructive
No touchstone, no acid, no filing. The piece is not marked or altered in any way.
Fast
About thirty seconds per item, done while you wait.
Hallmarked or not
Works on stamped, unstamped, foreign and worn pieces alike, so mixed or doubtful lots are no problem.
Independent
You get the reading in writing, with no obligation to sell — then or later.
Upcoming sessions
Dublin 2
[Venue to be confirmed]
10:00 to 16:00
Cork
[Venue to be confirmed]
11:00 to 15:00
Galway
[Venue to be confirmed]
11:00 to 15:00
Just turn up with your items. No booking needed for a session.
Request testing at your premises
If none of the sessions suit, tell us where you are and what you have and we will arrange to come to you.
Selling as a business? See the business price list or open a business account.