A method of identifying at least one pole location on a bearing element formed from a metal source element. The method is non-destructive and does not alter the surface of the bearing element. The method includes applying X-rays to a plurality of regions of a bearing element, and measuring diffracted intensity values of X-ray diffraction vectors or bi-sectors at the plurality of regions. The method includes determining at least one pole location on the bearing element based on the diffracted intensity values.