Using XRF for Gold Detection Recently, I used a Niton XRF analyzer to test a 22-carat gold ring, and the result showed 88% Au — slightly below the theoretical 91.7% expected for 22K gold. Minor differences like this often arise from surface conditions, alloy composition, or calibration factors. Beyond purity checks, XRF is a powerful exploration tool. In the field, it provides real-time geochemical data, detecting not just gold but pathfinder elements such as As, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Bi — all importa