Jewelers can benefit from using handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments to test jewelry samples and confirm their composition and karat percentage. XRF is a widely used and proven nondestructive technique to quickly and easily determine the chemistry, purity, and fineness of precious metals.
For instance, our Vanta™ XRF analyzers provide users with immediate, nondestructive analysis of metals, including gold, platinum, silver, and more. The software is easy to use and provides results directly on the analyzer. Results can also be downloaded as certificates. One jeweler that takes full advantage of these features is Isabella Jewelers.
Recently, Pieter Du Preez from Olympus’ distributor, Innov-X Africa, sat down with Sales Executive Meiki Ngcengeni from Isabella Jewelers to chat about their process for testing precious metals with the Vanta analyzer.
Q: Can you tell us about Isabella Jewelers?
A: Isabella started the business back in 2008. Our initial market was buying and selling, but we have expanded over the years and can supply to and collect from jewelry manufacturers all over South Africa.
Q: Why is knowing karat percentage so important?
A: When I started working here, we didn’t have a device to check karats on jewelry. We used to rely on assays, so we didn’t know whether a sample was 9 karats or 14 karats. A whole lot of scrap jewelry price slightly higher. Whether 9 karats or 14 karats, it was all grouped in different packages. When we went to sell it, we got the shock of our lives. It looked like we overpaid on the karat, but it wasn’t really accurate. That was the biggest challenge the company went through. We lost a couple of R100,000-00s (thousands of U.S. dollars).
Q: Can you tell me about the jewelry industry?
A: In this industry, the market prices go up and down. You must know what you’re buying. Because we are a precious metals refinery, in most cases, customers come to the refinery trying to seek the transparency of their jewelry, which they can trust. It has benefitted our company because we can do the scan in front of the company to build trust. They can see what they are trading for and how much money they will get. We also provide clear transparency when we sell the gold to other traders, since the metal is actually 9 karats—not 8 karats or 14 karats. We hand over reports for each metal, which is easily generated by the analyzer and downloaded to our computers.
Q: How has XRF helped you?
A: The fact that we could instantly get accurate results opened more business opportunities for us. We now not only buy and sell, but can accurately test, manufacture, and sell to any jeweler in South Africa. The easy-to-use interface of the Olympus XRF analyzer has made it easy for us to train additional staff members after receiving the initial training from Innov-X Africa. Also, the ease of reporting and downloading results really streamlines the process and makes for better production.
The Value of Accuracy in the Jewelry Industry is Crystal Clear
This interview demonstrates how much accuracy matters in the jewelry industry. Whether it’s for gold bar analysis or karat determination of a wedding ring, our Vanta XRF analyzers provide rapid, accurate results.
Its handheld design provides flexibility for gold bar analysis, while convenient alerts let you know when gold-plated materials are detected. A portable stand is available as an optional XRF accessory for closed-beam testing or testing small objects like jewelry on a benchtop.
The Vanta Work Station is a convenient stand for precious metals testing.
To learn more about the XRF technique for jewelry and gold bar testing, check out our resource, Vanta for Precious Metals Analysis.
Related Content
Brochure: Vanta Handheld XRF for Precious Metals Analysis
Shining Like a Diamond…or Rhinestone: Identifying Precious Gems with XRF Analyzers
Video: Introducing the Vanta Work Station: A Portable Benchtop System for XRF Analyzers
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