In the jewelry business, particularly for small gold shops, XRF machines have become an essential tool, completely replacing outdated methods. However, not everyone has enough experience to choose a gold testing machine that truly fits their store’s needs. This article by PMAC will highlight 5 common mistakes small gold shop owners make when choosing an XRF machine and how you can make a smart investment decision when purchasing one.
I. XRF Machine – A Powerful Assistant for Small Gold Shops
1. What is an XRF machine and how does it work?
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is a non-destructive analysis technology used to determine the elemental composition of materials. It works by directing an X-ray beam onto a metal sample. When the atoms in the sample are excited, they emit secondary X-rays with wavelengths characteristic of each element. The XRF machine captures and analyzes these signals to accurately determine the composition and concentration of precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and more.
2. Why is an XRF machine essential for small gold shops?
For small gold shops, XRF machines bring outstanding benefits:
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Fast and accurate testing: Results in just a few seconds, increasing efficiency and reducing customer waiting time.
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Non-destructive testing: Keeps the product intact, especially important for valuable jewelry pieces.
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Building trust and professionalism: Using advanced technology demonstrates transparency, helping establish stronger trust with customers and creating a competitive edge.
>>See more: Why do gold shops need to equip DXL800 gold age meter?
II. 5 Common Mistakes Small Gold Shops Make When Choosing an XRF Machine
1. Choosing a machine just because it’s cheap
Many shop owners prioritize saving initial costs by buying low-priced, used, or unverified machines. These often lack accuracy, break down easily, and have a short lifespan. Repair and maintenance later can cost more than the initial savings, not to mention the damage to reputation if inaccurate results are given to customers.
2. Misunderstanding accuracy levels
Not all XRF machines are equally accurate. Some low-end machines can only detect common elements and fail to identify metals like Iridium, Palladium, or Rhodium. This can lead to incorrect analysis, resulting in major financial losses when shops or workshops misvalue raw materials or products.
3. Ignoring after-sales service and warranty
Failing to check warranty and maintenance policies can cause serious issues when problems occur. Without timely support, business operations may be interrupted, and machine lifespan can be reduced.
4. Not researching the brand and machine origin
Many XRF machines on the market are unverified imports with no clear origin. These often use low-quality components, are prone to technical errors, and lack safety certifications.
5. Buying a machine that doesn’t match actual needs
Before purchasing a machine, you need to clearly define your needs and business type. A gold shop that only trades in gold bars will have different needs than a shop that specializes in making jewelry from many different alloys. Choosing the wrong machine will lead to wasted investment costs for unnecessary features or, conversely, lack of important features for the job.
>>See more: 5 Must-Have Equipment When Starting a Gold Shop, Do You Know?
>>See more: Gold Age Ambiguity
III. Key Considerations When Choosing an XRF Machine for Small Gold Shops
1. Define needs and budget clearly before buying
Before deciding to buy an XRF machine, the first and most important thing is to clearly define your shop’s needs. Consider what types of alloys you need to test, such as measuring 24K raw gold, measuring gold jewelry (18k, 14k, 10k, 610 gold, etc.), platinum jewelry, etc., how often you will use it, and what level of accuracy is required. At the same time, determining your expected budget will help you easily narrow down the appropriate machine lines, avoiding wasting money on unnecessary features.

Gold shop owners need to determine their budget before purchasing an XRF machine.
2. Prioritize reputable brands with official distributors
One of the important experiences when choosing an XRF machine is to prioritize machine lines from reputable suppliers, with a team of specialized technicians, with a lot of experience in the jewelry industry in the international market. Buying a machine from an official distributor in Vietnam will ensure that your product is genuine, has a clear origin and enjoys full warranty policies according to the manufacturer’s standards.
3. Select suppliers with after-sales and technical support
A good supplier not only sells the machine but also accompanies you throughout the usage process. When choosing, you should carefully learn about their after-sales service, including warranty policy, periodic maintenance and technical support when problems arise.
In addition, when buying a machine from a reputable distributor with a team of specialized technicians, with full standard samples according to international standards and Vietnamese standards, it will ensure that the measuring machine is accurate and suitable for the Vietnamese gold market, minimizing the risk of errors due to the machine not being able to analyze toxic substances, not identifying foreign elements, and creating substances.
>>See more: 7 Important Criteria When Choosing a Gold Age Meter
If you would like to schedule a free gold age measurement, contact PMAC now!
IV. Where to Buy Genuine XRF Machines?
1. Why buy genuine XRF machines?
Purchasing genuine machines ensures product quality, official certification, warranty, and direct technical support. This provides peace of mind regarding durability, accuracy, and radiation safety during use.
2. PMAC – Free XRF Gold Testing Service
PMAC proudly supplies high-quality, genuine XRF gold testing machines from leading global brands. We understand the challenges small gold shops face and are committed to providing optimal solutions for sustainable growth.
3. Why choose PMAC?

PMAC specializes in distributing gold age meters from the Thermo Fisher brand.
3.1 Pioneering XRF technology
PMAC is the official agent of Thermo Fisher Scientific in Vietnam, a world-leading group in the field of scientific equipment, famous for its XRF machines trusted in more than 150 countries. Thermo Fisher products stand out with high accuracy, superior durability and stable analytical capabilities, meeting the strict standards of international laboratories as well as the practical needs of gold shops and pawn shops.
3.2 Transparent service
PMAC always puts transparency and trust first. Customers will be guided in detail from the step of receiving samples until the results are released, and can directly monitor the entire measurement process. The results are printed clearly, with full information, without any hidden costs. Thanks to this transparency, PMAC has built lasting trust with many gold shops and pawn shops across the country.
3.3 Professional team
PMAC’s technical and consulting team not only has in-depth knowledge of XRF technology but also has many years of experience working with businesses in the jewelry industry. We are always ready to support from equipment selection, installation, operation instructions to periodic maintenance. In addition, PMAC also provides in-depth consulting services, helping customers optimize machine usage efficiency and provide the most suitable solution for the scale and actual needs of each store.
V. Conclusion
Choosing the right XRF machine is a strategic decision that directly impacts a gold shop’s reputation and business performance. By avoiding the five common mistakes and applying the key tips above, you can make a smart investment, turning the XRF machine into a truly powerful assistant.
If you are looking for a reliable source to purchase an XRF machine, contact PMAC today for expert consultation and the best quality products to grow your business sustainably.
PMAC – PMAC Joint Stock Company
Address: High-Tech Center, 4th Floor, HUTECH Building, D1 Street, Saigon Hi-Tech Park, Long Thạnh Mỹ Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Website: https://pmac.asia/
Hotline: +84 938 085 278