Lucknow: Scientists at the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property in Lucknow have developed a micro x-ray system, which can detect the purity of gold.
A report on this technique has recently been published in the journal - Conservation of Cultural Property of India. The research paper titled ‘Identification of fake gold by micro XRF system’ has been published by U.S. Lal, B. Sankara Rao and Virendra Kumar.
The machine costs about Rs 45 lakh and takes 5 to 10 minutes to detect the presence of gold and also the purity of the precious metal and jewellery and other items.
A scientist, associated with the innovation, said some gold coins were sent by a judicial magistrate to the state museum and when the gold coins were tested, they had no presence of gold and were fake.
“This was about a decade ago and it was then that we thought of developing the technique,” he said.
The National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property, which comes under the Union ministry of cultural affairs, is willing to authenticate gold items taking a nominal fee for the same.
“Gold mortgage is prevalent. It will be beneficial for banks that give gold loans,” he added.
