Somewhat OT: Nuclear Physics in Authentication and Fake Detection
 

An article I wrote about a nuclear physics-based method that has been used to identify some of the most famous forgeries in history. The method is so advanced that it can identify the geographic origins of ivory and gems, and a few people have won Physics Nobel Prizes for their work in the area.

Spectroscopy in Art and Artifacts Authentication

Great and interesting read!

A really nice concise explanation of a complex topic. One that most hobbies are just barely getting around to using.

The first time I saw the handheld unit was on the Kenos show where they found a bowl in someones house and the handheld spectrograph comfirmed that it was a very old Chinese metal bowl and worth a lot. I've wanted one since then, but they're a "bit" expensive.

Steve B

A handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer starts at about $24,000.

David,
Was the Saml Clemens check in your story used for a particular reason?
There was a "find" of these checks and they are available in modest quantity in the market now.

The Clemens was there merely as a visual of a handwritten document. I expected more than half the people who read the article to not even notice it is a check signed my him.