The Catalogue
XRF Metal Analysers
Handheld XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysers tell you exactly what a metal is made of in seconds — without scratching, cutting, melting or dissolving the piece. Point the analyser at a gold bar, a ring, a coin, a scrap lot or an ore sample, pull the trigger, and the screen shows the precise percentage of gold, silver, copper, platinum and other elements. For gold dealers, refiners, scrap and recycling buyers, jewellers and mining assay teams across the African goldfields and the wider MENA region, that instant, non-destructive answer is the difference between a confident deal and a costly mistake.
XRF works by exciting the atoms in the sample with a low-energy X-ray beam; each element fluoresces a unique signature that the detector reads to calculate the alloy composition. Because nothing is destroyed, you can test finished jewellery, dore bars, karat gold, coins and even electronic scrap and return them untouched. At AO Gold Detectors we supply the instrument the trade trusts — the Thermo Scientific Niton XL2 series (XL2-800) — a rugged handheld built for fast, repeatable precious-metal and full-alloy analysis in the field, the souk and the refinery.
Every unit is genuine, sourced through official channels and backed by manufacturer warranty, with free shipping to the countries we serve. There is no online card checkout — you order and get honest expert advice on WhatsApp in Arabic, French or English. Tell us how you'll use the analyser — gold buying, refining, scrap grading or assay — and we'll recommend the right configuration for your work and budget, not the most expensive one.
1 products · Thermo Scientific
USAHow to choose
- Define your main job first: pure precious-metal verification (gold, silver, platinum karat and purity) needs a precious-metals calibration, while scrap and recycling buyers need a wider element range to grade mixed alloys and stainless, brass and copper.
- Check the element menu and detection limits: a good analyser identifies gold content plus alloying and trace elements so you can spot under-karated, plated or tungsten-loaded fakes — not just a single gold reading.
- Prioritise speed and repeatability: in a busy gold-buying counter or souk, a 1–3 second reading that repeats consistently on the same piece is worth more than a lab-grade machine that is slow to use.
- Plan for safety and compliance: XRF uses X-rays, so choose a sealed, shielded handheld like the Niton XL2, keep it pointed at the sample, and follow your country's radiation-safety and registration rules.
- Confirm what's in the kit: battery, charger, test stand, certified reference standards for calibration checks, and software for record-keeping all matter for daily trade use — ask us exactly what ships in the box.
- Buy genuine and ask first: only an authorised, warranty-backed unit gives reliable, defensible results — message us on WhatsApp in your language and we'll match the right Niton configuration to your work and budget.
Frequently asked questions
How does a handheld XRF analyser test gold without damaging it?
XRF is completely non-destructive. The analyser fires a low-energy X-ray beam at the surface; each element in the metal fluoresces its own characteristic energy, and the detector reads those signatures to calculate the exact composition. Nothing is scratched, filed, cut or dissolved, so you can test finished jewellery, coins and bars and hand them straight back. Acid testing and fire assay, by contrast, mark or destroy part of the sample.
How accurate is XRF for measuring gold purity and karat?
For solid, homogeneous gold a modern analyser like the Niton XL2 reads purity to within a fraction of a percent and reports the full alloy — gold, silver, copper, zinc and more — so it both gives the karat and reveals what the rest of the metal is. The main limitation is that XRF measures the surface, so heavy gold plating over a base metal or tungsten core can read high on the outside; that is why dealers cross-check suspicious or plated-looking pieces with weight, density or a deeper method. Used correctly on genuine items, it is fast, repeatable and accurate enough for trade and refining decisions.
What can an XRF analyser detect besides gold?
A lot. Beyond gold it identifies silver, platinum, palladium, copper, zinc, nickel, lead, iron and many other elements, which is why it is used not only by gold dealers but by scrap and recycling buyers, jewellers and mining assay teams. That makes it ideal for grading mixed metal scrap, sorting stainless steel, brass and bronze, checking solder and alloy content, and screening ore and dore samples. Different calibrations focus the instrument on precious metals or on general alloy analysis — tell us your application and we'll configure it accordingly.
Is a handheld XRF analyser safe to use?
Yes, when used as designed. A sealed handheld like the Niton XL2 confines the X-ray beam, only emits while the trigger is pulled and the safety interlocks are satisfied, and directs the beam down into the sample, not at the operator. Keep your hand and body out of the beam path, always test against a sample or the test stand, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Because it is an X-ray device, many countries require registration and basic radiation-safety training — we can advise on what applies where you operate.
Are your XRF analysers genuine and how do I order?
Yes. We supply genuine Thermo Scientific Niton analysers sourced through official channels and backed by the manufacturer warranty, with free shipping to the countries we serve across West, Central, North and East Africa and the wider MENA region. There is no online card checkout — you enquire directly on WhatsApp, where our team advises in Arabic, French or English, confirms availability, calibration and what's in the kit, and arranges delivery. Tell us your work — gold buying, refining, scrap or assay — and your budget, and we'll recommend the right configuration rather than the most expensive one.
How much does an XRF metal analyser cost?
XRF analysers are professional laboratory-grade instruments, so they are the highest-priced category we offer — far above an ordinary detector. The price varies with the model and its analytical capability: a flagship handheld like the Thermo Scientific Niton XL2-800 sits at the top of the range for instant, accurate metal and precious-metal analysis. Each model's price is shown on its own page (USD shown by default, AED is the binding price). There is no online checkout, so message us on WhatsApp for the current price and the right instrument for your needs and budget. Every unit is genuine and covered by the manufacturer warranty.