When you buy vintage or antique jewellery, hallmarks can tell you a lot. But not every piece has one, and sometimes you simply want a little extra reassurance.

That’s why we use X-ray testing to check the metal alloy of our jewellery.

 

How does X-ray testing work?

 

The X-ray analyser directs X-rays at the surface of the metal and measures the response to identify the elements present in the piece.

In simple terms, it tells us what the metal is actually made of.

Depending on the piece, the test can detect elements such as gold, silver, copper, nickel, zinc, iron and others, helping us understand the composition of the alloy.

Unlike a medical X-ray, it doesn’t take a picture of the inside of the jewellery. Instead, it analyses the metal itself.

In the video below, you can see how we test a piece and what the results look like.

 

Sensitive skin or metal allergies?

 

We’ve met customers who love jewellery but have to be particularly careful about what they wear because they react to certain metals and alloys.

Knowing the composition of a piece can give you more information about the metals that may come into contact with your skin.

If there’s a particular metal you’re concerned about, please get in touch before ordering and we’ll be happy to help.

 

Would you like a certificate for your jewellery?

 

If you purchase a piece from us and would like a record of its tested metal alloy, we can provide a digital certificate free of charge.

This is available even if the jewellery already has a hallmark.

Simply message us before your order is dispatched and let us know that you’d like one. We normally dispatch orders the next working day, so please contact us as soon as possible after placing your order.

Your certificate will be sent to you electronically.

See the test for yourself

Watch the video below to see how we X-ray test our jewellery and what your certificate will look like.