Know-How Exchange : Student Questions

Easy and Accurate Estimation of Silver in Articles at Retail Outlets.

Problem:
In Goldplus Jewellery Retail Outlets, purity of gold ornaments is measured using a karatmeter. It works based on an X-ray spectroscope principle and is a non-destructive method of examination. As Goldplus stands for Purity of its products we encourage customer checking their old jewellery / jewellery articles in our Karatmeter at free of cost.
We have recently introduced Silver articles in our stores, but the existing karatmeter is not capable of examining Silver of higher purity i.e greater than 80%.

The Original Equipment manufacturer has suggested a new machine the cost of which is two and a half times the cost of the current Karatmeter. If implemented, this would erode the profitability of the store

Solution requirements:
We need a solution that would enable us to check purity of silver articles, in a non destructive manner, with an error of +/- 0.5%
This could be an independent solution / equipment or an enhancement carried out in our existing karatmeter. The total cost should not exceed Rs 1 lakh

Expected Deliverables:
1. New equipment that is capable of measuring silver purity in a non destructive method with an accuracy of +/- 0.5%, with the cost not exceeding Rs. 1 lakh. The equipment should not use and hazardous / radioactive substances and should be easy to operate in a retail store. Would require details of manufacturer/ suppliers
2. Complete detailed description on enhancing capability of the existing karatmeter to examine silver of upto 99.9 purity along with the respective calibration techniques and test samples