What XRF gold testing is
XRF stands for X-Ray Fluorescence. Every element has a unique atomic structure, so when a low-energy X-ray beam strikes a metal, each element inside re-emits energy at its own characteristic wavelength. A spectrometer reads those wavelengths and reports what the alloy is made of — gold, silver, copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium — as percentages.
That matters when you sell, because purity is one of only three numbers that decide your payout, alongside net weight and the live rate. An error of two karats on a 50-gram chain moves the payout by tens of thousands of rupees, which is why the testing method deserves as much attention as the rate.
How the test works, step by step
The whole sequence takes under a minute per item and happens in front of you.
- The piece is cleaned so dirt, polish and thread do not distort the reading
- It is placed in the test chamber, or scanned with a handheld probe on doorstep visits
- The X-ray source excites the atoms in the alloy for a few seconds
- The detector records the fluorescent energy emitted by each element
- Software converts the spectrum into karat plus a percentage breakdown
- The reading appears on screen — you see the same number the valuer does
Why scientific testing matters when you sell
Traditional touchstone testing rubs the item on a stone and compares the streak with acid against reference needles. It is quick and cheap, but it damages the surface and the result is a human judgement. Two testers can reasonably disagree, and any disagreement in the buyer's favour costs you money.
XRF replaces judgement with a number. Because it is displayed rather than described, you can compare that reading against another buyer's, and you can walk away with your jewellery untouched if you decide not to sell. Transparency and non-destructiveness are the two practical reasons CMG uses XRF on every single item.
What the reading tells you
Gold jewellery is almost never pure. 22K is roughly 91.6% gold, 18K is 75%, and 14K is about 58.5%, with the balance made up of copper, silver and zinc for hardness and colour. An XRF readout shows all of it, which explains why a piece stamped one way can test slightly differently.
It also exposes surprises: gold-plated brass, hollow pieces filled with solder, and dental or industrial alloys where recoverable gold content differs from appearance. Once purity is established, the rest of the valuation is straightforward arithmetic.
Get your gold tested free at CMG
Testing is available at our Indore MG Road branch and our Ahmedabad Nikol branch during business hours, Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 8 PM. Bring anything you are curious about — you are not committing to sell by having it tested.
For doorstep visits our valuer carries a portable XRF unit and certified scales, so the same testing and the same on-screen reading happen at your dining table.