Selling Gold & Silver
What Is XRF Testing and Why It Means a Fair Price
Short answer: XRF testing (X-ray fluorescence) is a fast, non-destructive way to read the exact metal content of your gold, silver, or platinum. It’s why a good buyer can price your items accurately and in the open, and why you should be wary of anyone who won’t test in front of you.
What XRF testing is
An XRF analyzer aims low-energy X-rays at your item and reads the fluorescence that comes back. Every metal has a unique signature, so the device reports exactly what your piece is made of, for example, 58.3% gold (14K), 92.5% silver (sterling), or 95% platinum, in seconds, without scratching, filing, or using acid.
Why it matters when you sell
- Accuracy. Purity is one of the three things that set your payout (along with weight and the live spot price). Getting it exactly right means a fair number.
- Transparency. You can watch the reading. No guessing, no “trust me.”
- It protects you. XRF catches gold-plated or mislabeled items so nobody overpays or underpays by mistake.
XRF vs. the old methods
Acid testing and scratch tests are cheap but rough, they estimate a range and can damage your item. XRF gives an exact composition without a mark on your piece. It’s the standard a serious buyer uses.
Ready to sell in Greenville? Walk in to Greenville Gold & Silver, just off Woodruff Rd, or call 864-901-7975. Family-run since 2012, 700+ 5-star reviews. See XRF-tested pricing in person.
At Greenville Gold & Silver we test every piece with an XRF analyzer and show you the reading before we make an offer. Family-run since 2012, 700+ five-star reviews, just off Woodruff Rd. Call 864-901-7975.
Want it tested in the open? That is how we do it at Greenville Gold & Silver. We XRF test your gold, silver, and platinum in front of you and pay cash on the spot. Call 864-901-7975.
Why we test in front of you
We keep the analyzer on the counter for a reason. When you can see the purity read out yourself, there is nothing to argue about. The metal tells us both what it is. It also catches surprises, plated pieces that look solid, gold-filled items stamped to look like karat gold, and sterling that comes back a higher or lower grade than the mark suggests.
Does XRF damage my items? No. It is completely non-destructive. No scratching, no filing, no acid, so your jewelry and coins leave exactly the way they came in.
Want to see where the XRF fits in a real visit? Here’s what happens at our counter when you sell gold.
