Screen Gold Bars & Doré
Review suitable selected surfaces without consuming an analytical portion.
X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis
XRF Gold Testing
Fast, Non-Destructive Analysis for Gold & Metallic Samples
Need to assess a gold bar, doré or metallic sample without consuming it?
Bilex Minerals EA provides X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis for rapid elemental screening and comparison of suitable gold and metallic samples.
Actual Bilex XRF laboratory
What Is XRF Analysis?
XRF uses X-rays to excite elements in the selected test area. Those elements produce characteristic fluorescent responses, which the instrument measures and software interprets against the applicable calibration.
The result applies to the measured region. It should be read with the sample condition, selected area and method limitations in mind.
What Can XRF Gold Testing Help With?
Assess Metallic Surfaces
Examine suitable bullion and metallic areas under an applicable calibration.
Compare Multiple Areas
Check selected locations for similarities or visible elemental differences.
Identify Unexpected Differences
Use measured elemental responses to flag areas that may need further review.
Preliminary Verification
Obtain rapid surface information before deciding whether another method is justified.
Support Method Selection
Use screening results and the testing question to consider the next analytical step.
Client benefits
Why Clients Use XRF
Fast
Rapid measurements provide timely information from selected test areas.
Non-Destructive
Normally no prepared analytical portion is consumed.
Multi-Point Screening
Different areas can be compared during the same screening session.
Minimal Sample Alteration
Suitable items can be examined without destructive sampling.
How XRF Works
- 01
Select the Test Area
Identify a suitable surface region and record the measurement location.
- 02
X-Ray Excitation
The instrument directs X-rays at the selected region.
- 03
Fluorescent Response
Elements in that region produce characteristic responses.
- 04
Instrument Analysis
The instrument measures the response and software interprets it.
- 05
Result
The measured region is reported within the applicable method scope.
Important limitation
What XRF Does Not Automatically Tell You
A surface reading is not automatically a bulk result.
XRF measures the region being examined. If surface composition differs from the interior, the XRF reading may not represent the entire item.
- Plating
- Surface enrichment
- Coatings
- Contamination
- Roughness
- Curved surfaces
- Sample geometry
- Calibration
- Internal variation
- Heterogeneous material
Multiple readings can help identify variation, but they cannot guarantee that the interior composition matches the measured surface.
When Is XRF Appropriate?
Need Rapid Information
The selected surface region can provide useful preliminary elemental information.
Item Should Remain Intact
Preservation matters and destructive sampling is not currently appropriate.
Want to Compare Areas
Several selected locations need to be screened for differences.
Deciding on Further Testing
The screening result can help determine whether another method may be justified.
When Might Fire Assay Be More Appropriate?
Further testing may be appropriate when surface information alone is insufficient or when a representative prepared-sample analysis is required.
Explore Fire Assay- Different areas produce inconsistent readings
- Plating or coating is suspected
- Material may be heterogeneous
- Interior composition matters
- A high-value decision requires representative analysis
- Surface information alone is insufficient
XRF vs Fire Assay
The right method depends on the question, the material and whether destructive testing is permitted.
| Comparison | XRF Analysis | Fire Assay |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Rapid screening | Representative prepared-sample analysis |
| Sample damage | Normally non-destructive | Analytical portion is consumed |
| Measurement | Surface region | Prepared sample portion |
| Speed | Rapid | More involved |
| Multiple-area comparison | Yes | Requires sampling |
| Interior composition | Not automatically represented | Depends on representative sampling |
| Best suited to | Screening and comparison | Representative determination |
Gold Testing & Assaying
Related Testing Methods
01020304
Fire Assay
Representative gold determination from a prepared analytical portion.
Learn MoreICP-OES
Quantitative multi-element analysis after suitable sample preparation.
Learn MoreUltrasonic Testing
Internal structural examination of suitable solid bullion.
Learn MoreDensity Testing
Supporting physical mass-to-volume verification.
Learn MoreCommon questions
XRF Gold Testing FAQ
Is XRF gold testing destructive?
XRF is normally non-destructive. It examines the selected surface region without consuming a prepared analytical portion under normal measurement conditions.
Can XRF test gold doré?
Yes, suitable gold doré surfaces can be screened with XRF. Surface condition, geometry, coatings and internal variation must still be considered when interpreting the reading.
Can XRF prove the purity of an entire gold bar?
Not automatically. XRF measures the selected surface region. If the surface differs from the interior, the reading may not represent the entire bar.
Is XRF better than Fire Assay?
Neither method is universally better. XRF supports rapid, non-destructive surface screening and comparison. Fire Assay analyses a representative prepared portion where destructive testing is appropriate.
Can several areas of a gold bar be tested?
Yes. Multiple XRF readings can compare selected areas and help identify variation. They still cannot guarantee that the interior matches the measured surfaces.
Will XRF damage my gold?
Under normal XRF measurement conditions, no analytical portion is consumed. Bilex should still review the item and testing requirement before confirming the scope.
XRF testing enquiry
Start Your XRF Testing Enquiry
Tell Bilex what material you have, its approximate quantity or form, what you need to establish, whether the item must remain intact and how the result will be used.
Contact Bilex before travelling with valuable material. The team can review your enquiry and advise on the appropriate next step.