X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry
How it works: XRF machines emit X-rays onto the gold sample, causing the atoms
to emit fluorescent X-rays.
X-rays are unique to each element, allowing the machine to
determine the composition of the gold.
Advantages: Non-destructive, fast, and highly accurate.
Limitations: Less accurate for low-purity gold samples or those with complex alloys.