An Iranian knowledge-based company based at the Isfahan Science and Technology Town has developed and manufactured a domestically designed X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer capable of identifying and measuring the percentage of elements in metal alloys in less than one minute.

The device is designed, following four years of research and development, to address a major challenge facing the jewelry and precious metals industries: accurately determining the composition and purity of metals without damaging the samples.

“One of the most important challenges for manufacturers, particularly those working in the gold and jewelry industry, is the accurate and non-destructive analysis of metals,” said Abolfazl Mahmoudi, the company’s technical director.

Until now, Iranian manufacturers and gold traders have relied on chemical testing methods or imported equipment to determine the purity of gold and other precious metals.

Chemical methods can damage samples, while access to calibration services for foreign-made analyzers has become increasingly difficult in Iran due to unilateral sanctions.

“Traditional assaying tests were time-consuming and costly, and they also resulted in some loss of gold. With this device, we can now obtain our results in just one minute,” said one manufacturer.

According to Sanaz Sufian, the company’s research and development manager, the analyzer operates using X-ray fluorescence technology.

The system measures the characteristic responses of atoms when exposed to X-rays, allowing it to identify the elements present in a sample and determine their relative concentrations.

“Each element produces a characteristic response, much like a fingerprint. By measuring these unique responses, the device can identify which elements are present in a sample and determine their proportions,” Sufian explained.

The locally developed analyzer is expected to improve transparency in gold and jewelry transactions, help prevent fraud involving the stated purity of precious metals, and enhance quality control in industrial production.

Its domestic calibration capabilities are also expected to reduce reliance on foreign technical services.

Mahmoudi said the Iranian-made device was developed at approximately half the price of comparable foreign models, offering domestic users a more affordable alternative while reducing dependence on overseas calibration services.

The company has previously developed and manufactured advanced laser systems for engraving and cutting, building on its capabilities in industrial technology and precision equipment.

With plans to establish a dedicated production line, the company expects to bring its annual output to around 100 precious-metal analyzers, potentially expanding access to rapid, non-destructive metal analysis across Iran’s jewelry, manufacturing and precious metals sectors.