In stock
Gold Testing
FalconX-6k
Benchtop XRF analyser with a silicon drift detector — karat and full alloy composition in seconds, non-destructive.
TechniqueEnergy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF)
USD 13,999
Gold Testing MachinesComing soon
Vortex Model 04
Compact XRF karat tester for over-the-counter buy-back — fast sorting into karat bands on a small footprint.
USD 8,500USD 9,500
Price as of 30 August 2026
Catalogue enquiry · No online payment · Delivery and installation worldwide
At a glance
- Fast karat sorting for over-the-counter buy-back
- Non-destructive — the customer's piece is returned untouched
- Compact footprint designed to sit at a retail counter
- Karat-first readout that a customer can read from across the counter
- Interlocked shielded chamber
About the Vortex Model 04
The Vortex Model 04 is built for volume rather than laboratory precision. Where a shop takes in old jewellery all day and needs to sort it into karat bands quickly and confidently, a full analytical instrument is more machine than the job requires.
A proportional-counter detector and a simplified karat-first readout keep the cost and the footprint down. It sits at the counter, takes a ring or a chain, and returns a karat figure the customer can see on screen — which settles most buy-back conversations faster than an acid test ever did, and without touching the piece.
It is not the instrument for grading fine bullion at 995 and above; for that, a silicon drift detector is the correct tool, and our benchtop analyser is the one to look at. Many shops run both: this one at the counter, the benchtop unit in the back office for anything of consequence.
Specifications
| Technique | Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) |
|---|---|
| Detector | Proportional counter |
| X-ray tube | [TO CONFIRM: tube type and rating] |
| Elements detected | Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Ni and common alloying elements |
| Measurement time | Typically 30–120 s depending on required precision |
| Intended use | Karat sorting of finished jewellery and scrap |
| Not intended for | Grading fine bullion above 995 — see the benchtop SDD analyser |
| Sample chamber (W × D × H) | [TO CONFIRM: chamber dimensions] |
| Power supply | 20v DC, 3.25A, 65W (supplied with country-specific plug) |
| Safety | Interlocked shielded chamber; tube disabled when open |
| Net weight | 20 kg (44 lb) |
| Warranty | [TO CONFIRM: warranty period] |
| Lead time | [TO CONFIRM: lead time] |
Specifications are subject to change. Confirm the current build with us before ordering.
Vortex Model 04 — questions
How is the Vortex Model 04 different from the benchtop analyser?
The Vortex Model 04 uses a proportional-counter detector and is built for fast karat sorting at a counter. The benchtop unit uses a silicon drift detector, resolves alloy elements more cleanly and is the right choice when you need precision on high-purity material.
Can I use it to grade bullion?
Not for fine bullion. At 995 and above, small differences carry real money and you want a silicon drift detector. Use the Vortex Model 04 for sorting finished jewellery and scrap into karat bands.
How long does a reading take?
A proportional-counter instrument collects signal more slowly than an SDD, so allow longer per reading. Longer counts give a more repeatable number.
Will it fool-proof my buying against plated items?
No XRF machine will. The technique reads the surface, so heavy plating can read as solid gold. Pair it with a density check on anything unusual or high value.
Also in this range
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Vortex Vulcan
1 kg induction melting furnace for retail jewellers — full charge to pour in minutes, with set-and-hold temperature control.
Melting capacity1 kg (gold)
USD 1,950- Coming soon
Melting Furnaces
Vortex Model 02
3 kg water-cooled induction furnace for workshops and bullion desks running back-to-back melts.
Melting capacity3 kg (gold)
USD 3,900
Talk to us
Ask a question before you buy
Tell us your shop size, your power supply and what you melt or test in a day. We will tell you which machine fits — including when the answer is the cheaper one.
- Showroom
- 7425 Jefferson AvenueMoreno Valley, CAUnited States
- Hours
- Monday – Saturday: 10:00–19:00Sunday: Closed
Vortex Model 04
USD 8,500