EN ISO 23345:2026

Jewellery and precious metals - Non destructive precious metal fineness confirmation by ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)

This document describes a non-destructive method to verify (confirm) the precious metal fineness of finished and semifinished jewellery item(s) considered homogeneous by ED-XRF (energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence), including alloys according to ISO 9202.
This document is not suitable for any coated items. WD-XRF (wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence) equipment cannot be used.

Schmuck und Edelmetalle - Zerstörungsfreie Bestätigung des Feingehalts von Edelmetallen durch ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)

Dieses Dokument beschreibt ein zerstörungsfreies Verfahren zur Überprüfung (Bestätigung) des Edelmetallfeingehalts von fertigen und halbfertigen Schmuckstücken, die mittels ED-XRF (energiedispersive Röntgenfluoreszenz) als homogen angesehen werden, einschließlich Legierungen nach ISO 9202.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht für beschichtete Gegenstände geeignet. WD-XRF-Geräte (wellenlängendispersive Röntgenfluoreszenz) können nicht verwendet werden.

Joaillerie, bijouterie et métaux précieux - Confirmation du titre de métal précieux par analyse non destructive ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)

Le présent document décrit une méthode non destructive pour vérifier (confirmer) le titre de métaux précieux d’un ou de plusieurs articles de bijouterie finis et semi-finis considérés homogènes par ED-XRF (fluorescence X à dispersion d’énergie), incluant les alliages spécifiés dans l’ISO 9202.
Le présent document n’est pas adapté aux articles revêtus. Les appareils WD-XRF (fluorescence X à dispersion de longueur d’onde) ne peuvent pas être utilisés.

Nakit in plemenite kovine - Neporušitvena potrditev čistosti plemenitih kovin z analitično tehniko ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)

Ta dokument opisuje neporušitveno metodo za preverjanje (potrditev) čistine plemenitih kovin dokončanih in polizdelanih kosov nakita, ki se štejejo za homogene z metodo ED-XRF (energijsko disperzijska rentgenska fluorescenca), vključno z zlitinami v skladu z ISO 9202.
Ta dokument ni primeren za kakršne koli prevlečene predmete. Oprema WD-XRF (valovno disperzijska rentgenska fluorescenca) se ne sme uporabljati.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-Mar-2026
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• ICS: 39.060 - Jewellery
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 410 - Project Committee - Consumer confidence and nomenclature in the diamond industry
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 410 - Project Committee - Consumer confidence and nomenclature in the diamond industry
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 18-Mar-2026
• Due Date: 09-Jan-2028
• Completion Date: 18-Mar-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 23345:2026 - Jewellery and precious metals - Non destructive precious metal fineness confirmation by ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)

Overview

EN ISO 23345:2026 specifies a standardized, non-destructive method for verifying the fineness of precious metals in finished and semi-finished jewellery items using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). Developed by CEN and aligned with ISO 23345:2021, this standard supports quality assurance and compliance for stakeholders in the jewellery and precious metals industry. The method applies to homogeneous items, explicitly excluding any coated pieces, and cannot be conducted with WD-XRF (wavelength dispersive XRF) equipment.

Key Topics

• ED-XRF Technique: Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence enables rapid, non-destructive elemental analysis, making it ideal for confirming metal composition in jewellery without damaging valuable pieces.
• Sample Suitability: The method is intended exclusively for homogeneous precious metal items and is not suitable for plated or coated jewellery. Proper sample preparation, including surface cleaning, is required for accurate results.
• Calibration and Verification: Accurate calibration is fundamental. The procedure requires the use of at least three calibration standards with known compositions that closely match the sample’s alloy makeup and a separate reference material to verify calibration.
• Analysis Process:
  • Analyze multiple points on each sample to ensure reliability.
  • Calculate mean values and assess measurement uncertainty.
  • Validate results according to specified tolerances and conformity ranges, referencing ISO 10576-1 for decision rules.
• Reporting Requirements: The standard details the essential information to include in test reports, such as sample identification, applied standard reference, test results, deviations from methods, unusual observations, laboratory details, and responsible signatures.

Applications

EN ISO 23345:2026 is vital for:

• Jewellery Manufacturers: Confirms the declared fineness of precious metal items quickly and non-destructively, supporting quality control processes.
• Precious Metal Assayers: Offers a standardized, recognized technique for verifying metal content in routine examination of goods.
• Customs and Trade Authorities: Ensures jewellery traded across borders meets harmonized European and international standards for precious metal content.
• Third-party Laboratories: Provides a clear method for delivering impartial verification services to jewellery producers and retailers.
• Retailers and Brands: Supports claims of fineness and metal composition, enhancing consumer trust and compliance with regional regulations.

The method is valuable when destruction of samples is not an option due to value, uniqueness, or other considerations.

Related Standards

• ISO 9202: Jewellery and precious metals – Fineness of precious metal alloys: Defines permissible alloy compositions and fineness standards.
• ISO 10576-1: Statistical methods – Guidelines for the evaluation of conformity with specified requirements: Establishes general principles for conformity assessment.
• ISO 11426: Jewellery and precious metals – Determination of gold – Cupellation method (fire assay): Provides the traditional, destructive assay method for gold content, used when higher precision is necessary.
• ISO 17034: General requirements for the competence of reference material producers: Relevant for the selection and use of certified reference materials in calibration and verification.

EN ISO 23345:2026 helps the jewellery and precious metals sector achieve non-destructive, efficient, and internationally recognized verification of precious metal fineness, enhancing transparency and reliability in global commerce.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Nakit in plemenite kovine - Neporušitvena potrditev čistosti plemenitih kovin z
analitično tehniko ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)
Jewellery and precious metals - Non destructive precious metal fineness confirmation by
ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)
Schmuck und Edelmetalle - Zerstörungsfreie Bestätigung des Feingehalts von
Edelmetallen durch ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)
Joaillerie, bijouterie et métaux précieux - Confirmation du titre de métal précieux par
analyse non destructive ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 23345:2026
ICS:
19.100 Neporušitveno preskušanje Non-destructive testing
39.060 Nakit Jewellery
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 23345
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
March 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 19.100; 39.060
English Version
Jewellery and precious metals - Non destructive precious
metal fineness confirmation by ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)
Joaillerie, bijouterie et métaux précieux - Confirmation Schmuck und Edelmetalle - Zerstörungsfreie
du titre de métal précieux par analyse non destructive Bestätigung des Feingehalts von Edelmetallen durch
ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021) ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 March 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 23345:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO 23345:2021 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 174 "Jewellery and
precious metals” of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as
secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2026, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by September 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 23345:2021 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 23345:2026 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 23345
First edition
2021-06
Jewellery and precious metals — Non
destructive precious metal fineness
confirmation by ED-XRF
Joaillerie, bijouterie et métaux précieux — Confirmation du titre de
métal précieux par analyse non destructive ED-XRF
Reference number
ISO 23345:2021(E)
©
ISO 2021
ISO 23345:2021(E)
© ISO 2021
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

ISO 23345:2021(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Apparatus . 2
6 Procedure. 2
6.1 Calibration . 2
6.1.1 Calibration standards . 2
6.1.2 Method calibration . 3
6.2 Verification . 3
6.2.1 Reference material . 3
6.2.2 Method verification . 3
6.3 Analysis. 4
6.3.1 Sample preparation . 4
6.3.2 Sample analysis . 4
7 Calculation and expression of the results . 4
7.1 Calculation . 4
7.2 Uncertainty . 4
7.3 Result interpretation . 5
8 Test report . 5
Bibliography . 7
ISO 23345:2021(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
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