Study on the metal composition characteristics of high-end bags in Korean domestic distribution using portable XRF

This study evaluated the feasibility of portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF) as a rapid, non-destructive comparative screening tool for differentiating genuine and counterfeit luxury handbags distributed in the Korean domestic second-hand market through the analysis of metallic hardware components. A total of 100 type 1 handbag samples were examined using a silicon drift detector-based handheld pXRF instrument under rapid measurement conditions, with spot sizes of 3-5 mm and acquisition times of 2-3 s. Reproducible multi-element spectral patterns were obtained from curved metallic regions without destructive sample preparation. Within the analysed type 1 handbag category, counterfeit items consistently showed Cu- and Zn-enriched signatures, whereas genuine items showed relatively higher Ni- and/or Fe-related signals depending on the product group. Representative Cu concentrations ranged from 0.4-43 wt% in authentic Re-nylon bucket bag samples and 60-83 wt% in counterfeit samples, while Zn was predominantly below the detection limit in authentic samples but was detected at 1.2-20 wt% in counterfeit samples. Short-term repeatability under the present rapid-screening conditions showed relative standard deviations of 0.30%, 2.72%, 6.23%, and 33.97% for Cu, Ni, Zn, and Fe, respectively; the high Fe variability was attributed to near-LOD measurements. Reference LOD/LOQ ranges for Cu, Zn, Ni, and Fe were estimated from the manufacturer's published alloy-mode specifications to aid interpretation of