"Gold testing machine" can mean three very different instruments, and their prices range from about one lakh to nearly nineteen lakh rupees. This guide shows our current prices and explains what you get at each level, so you can choose the right machine for your work.
Three types of gold testing machine
- Benchtop XRF analyzer. The piece sits in a closed chamber and is read with X-rays. You get the gold percentage and the other metals in the alloy, in under a minute, with no mark on the piece. Most Indian jewellers call this a karat meter.
- Portable electronic tester. A probe touches the metal and the screen shows the karat. It is quick and leaves no mark, but it does not show the alloy.
- Coin and bar tester. Checks whether the metal under the surface of a coin or bar is gold too.
Semsons Tech gold testing machine prices
| Machine | Type | Key figures | Price incl. GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable gold testing machine | Electronic karat tester | Shows 0 to 24K; battery powered | ₹1,35,000 |
| Signet-PC | Benchtop XRF | Si-PIN detector as standard | ₹6,45,000 |
| Signet FSDD | Benchtop XRF | ±0.10% on gold, up to 72 elements, 10 to 60 seconds | ₹18,99,000 |
| Signet Si-Pin | Benchtop XRF | Trace elements from ppm | On quotation |
Each priced machine can be booked for ₹50,000. The Signet-PC and Signet FSDD prices include installation and operator training at your premises.
What makes one machine cost more than another
Published accuracy
This matters most. The Signet FSDD is specified at ±0.10% on gold. If a supplier cannot tell you the accuracy, in writing, you cannot compare that machine with any other. It also matters in money: a hallmarking centre returns a piece that its XRF finds more than 5 parts per thousand below the declared purity. To catch that first, your own machine must be clearly more accurate than 5 parts per thousand.
The detector
The detector is the part that reads the X-rays. Its resolution is given in eV, and a lower number means it separates metals more cleanly. The FSDD is rated at 145 ± 15 eV. Our XRF gold testing guide explains this in more detail.
What it reads besides gold
A karat reading tells you how much gold there is. An alloy reading also shows the silver, copper, zinc and other metals. That helps a manufacturer correct a melt, and helps a buyer spot an unusual alloy in old gold.
What is included
Installation, training, calibration, warranty and service all cost money. Two quotes with the same price can include very different things, so compare them line by line.
Which machine fits your work?
- Jewellery shop counter, old gold buying: Signet-PC.
- Manufacturer testing melts and lots before hallmarking: Signet FSDD.
- Refiner or lab that needs trace elements: Signet Si-Pin.
- Quick checks and field visits: portable gold testing machine.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying an electronic tester and expecting XRF results. Ask how the machine measures.
- Comparing prices without accuracy figures. Ask for accuracy, and at what purity it was measured.
- Forgetting plated pieces. XRF reads the surface layer. A thick gold plating can read higher than the metal beneath it.
- Ignoring service. Ask who calibrates the machine and how fast an engineer can reach you.
See it working before you buy
Where to see and buy it
These are the Semsons Tech machines for this job. The store links let you book online; the other links open the full specifications or a quotation request.
| Machine and where to buy | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Signet FSDD XRF gold analyzer Buy or book on our store Full specifications | ±0.10% on gold, 1% to 99.99% Au Up to 72 elements, test in 10 to 60 seconds ₹18,99,000 incl. GST; book for ₹50,000 |
| Signet-PC XRF gold analyzer Buy or book on our store Full specifications | Benchtop XRF with a Si-PIN detector as standard Installation and operator training included ₹6,45,000 incl. GST; book for ₹50,000 |
| Portable gold testing machine Buy or book on our store Full specifications | Electronic karat tester (not XRF), shows 0 to 24K Battery powered, no mark on the piece ₹1,35,000 incl. GST |
| Gold coin conductivity tester Buy or book on our store | Checks the metal below the surface of coins and bars Reads through capsules up to about 3 mm ₹1,35,000 incl. GST |
Semsons Tech gives machine demonstrations, so you can see the readings, the test time and the software for yourself. Book a demonstration or call +91 98216 12340.