Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assaying an item made of at least one precious metal and selectively offering payment in exchange includes a user interface and control circuit; a trolley for carrying and moving the item within the apparatus; a first camera to image the item; an electronic weighing scale, and an x-ray fluorescence engine. The trolley carrying the item moves onto the weighing scale to establish a weight of the item and moves the item into the x-ray fluorescence engine to perform an x-ray fluorescence assay of the item at a location determined through image processing a visual survey of the item performed by the first camera. The user interface and control circuit creates an offer of purchase of the item based on weight and x-ray fluorescence assay of the item.