Can xrays show up things on the outside of the body ie metal, stones?

Answer 1

Certainly they can and often do. Ask any radiographer. Small metal beads are often placed on the body where they serve as 'landmarks' on Xray films - providing proper orientation of the exposed image to the body.
Even plastics image on Xray films and digital displays.
The density of the object determines how much the rays scatter or how deeply they penetrate the object. Flesh is less dense than bone to bones appear on film more brilliantly than fats, tendons and muscles.
Xrays MAY, however, be diverted or 'focused through the use of quartz 'lenses'.

Answer 2

Stones? I know that necklaces, pins from previous broken bones, swallowed coins, real safety pins can be swallowed and show up in xrays, but outside STONES?
Ah Maybe you mean the stones dangling from a necklace .
Well, all metal will show and are considered a mistake of the operator or xray technician because they interfere with the picture. If you see those, then the technician did not do his work properly. He/SHe was supposed to drape a lead shield over you to keep you from absorbing unnecessary radiation from xray, esp your thyroid.

Answer 3

Very definitely especially body piercings. Even less dense things can show up on overexposed x-rays

Answer 4

Yes. You can't [or shouldn't be able to] smuggle metal and stones through airport security without them being detected by x-ray.

Answer 5

anything not surrounded by lead will show up. lead is used to block Xrays and if it is not blocking everything shows up.

Answer 6

yep, that's why you take off all metal/jewellery/pins etc before your Xray

Answer 7

x-rays are used extentsively by customs and forensic services to do just that.