Shimadzu Scientific Instruments has published the application note: Determining gemstone authenticity and precious metal purities by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
Gemstones have been known to undergo various manipulations to enhance their perceived quality.
As technology advances, confirming the authenticity of gemstones becomes more and more difficult, creating a large demand for a non-destructive, time-efficient method of determining the composition of gemstones and precious metals.
One such method is energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy, a technique that enables a user to quickly and easily differentiate between a true stone and a fraud or determine if any chemical enhancements have been made.
In addition to stones, precious metals can be analysed and quantified to identify their purities.
This application note examines the use of Shimadzu's EDX-720 spectrometer equipped with an Rh-lined X-ray tube to analyse gemstones of varying quality and precious metals at different purities, and how it can be used at any stage of the buying process.