Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of solid materials of different specific gravities comprising a vertical separator tube having a material inlet port, a light material discharge port located above the inlet port, and a heavy material discharge port located below the inlet port; a holding tank having a top opening for receiving the solid materials to be separated and a bottom opening connected to the inlet port of the separator tube by a feeder tube; a pressurized water source, as by a pump; and a conduit connecting the water source to the separator tube at or below the heavy material discharge port. The holding tank is located at such a height as to allow water coming into the tank from the separator tube to reach a predetermined static level within the tank. The heavy material discharge port is located substantially below the water static level in the tank and adjacent the pressurized water intake so that heavy material may be rapidly removed by water moving at a high velocity.