Gold Classifiers & Sifters

A gold classifier, also called a sifter or sieve, is a screen that sorts dirt and gravel to one size before you pan, sluice or run a concentrator. We carry bucket classifiers that sit on a 5-gallon bucket, stackable screen sets, 16 inch hand sifters and fine mesh screens, from 1 inch openings down to #400 mesh.

Why Classify Before You Pan

Gold settles cleanly when everything in the pan or sluice is about the same size. Mix cobbles, gravel and fine sand in one load and the fine gold can wash out with the turbulence; screen the material first and each pan holds one size, so it stratifies faster and the gold stays at the bottom.

Classifier Mesh Sizes: Openings in Inch and mm

Screens are named in two ways. Inch-sized screens, such as 1/2 inch or 1/8 inch, are named by the size of the hole. Mesh screens, such as #30 or #100, follow US standard sieve numbers, which count openings per linear inch; the wire takes up part of each inch, so the opening is smaller than the name suggests. A #8 mesh screen opens to 0.094 inch (2.36 mm), smaller than a 1/8 inch screen at 0.125 inch (3.2 mm). Screens sold as 1/30 inch or 1/100 inch are #30 and #100 mesh screens. Screen sizes in our collection:

ScreenOpeningBrands in our collection
1 inch1.000 inch (25.4 mm)Raytech
3/4 inch0.750 inch (19.1 mm)Raytech
1/2 inch0.500 inch (12.7 mm)Blue Bowl, Minelab, Raytech, TerraX
7/16 inch0.438 inch (11.1 mm)Garrett
10 mm0.394 inch (10 mm)XP
3/8 inch0.375 inch (9.5 mm)Raytech
5/16 inch0.313 inch (7.9 mm)TerraX
1/4 inch0.250 inch (6.4 mm)Blue Bowl, Raytech, TerraX
5 mm0.197 inch (5 mm)XP
#4 mesh0.187 inch (4.75 mm)Gold Cube
#6 mesh0.132 inch (3.35 mm)Gold Cube
1/8 inch0.125 inch (3.2 mm)TerraX
#8 mesh0.094 inch (2.36 mm)Gold Cube
#10 mesh0.079 inch (2 mm)Camel Mining, Gold Cube, TerraX
#12 mesh (sold as 1/12 inch)0.066 inch (1.7 mm)Blue Bowl, Gold Cube, TerraX
#14 mesh0.056 inch (1.4 mm)Blue Bowl, Gold Cube
#16 mesh0.047 inch (1.18 mm)Gold Cube
#18 mesh0.039 inch (1 mm)Gold Cube
#20 mesh (sold as 1/20 inch)0.033 inch (0.85 mm)Blue Bowl, Camel Mining, Gold Cube, TerraX
#30 mesh (sold as 1/30 inch)0.023 inch (0.6 mm)Blue Bowl, Gold Cube, TerraX
#40 mesh0.017 inch (0.425 mm)Camel Mining, Gold Cube, TerraX
#50 mesh (sold as 1/50 inch)0.012 inch (0.3 mm)Blue Bowl, Gold Cube, TerraX
#60 mesh0.0098 inch (0.25 mm)Camel Mining, TerraX
#70 mesh (sold as 1/70 inch)0.0083 inch (0.212 mm)Gold Cube, TerraX
#100 mesh (sold as 1/100 inch)0.0059 inch (0.15 mm)Blue Bowl, Gold Cube, TerraX
#200 mesh0.0029 inch (0.075 mm)Gold Cube
#400 mesh0.0015 inch (0.038 mm)Gold Cube

Bucket Classifiers and Hand Sifters: 1 Inch to 1/8 Inch

A bucket classifier sits on the rim of a 5-gallon bucket: shovel material on top, shake, and the bucket catches screened material ready for the pan. The Minelab PRO-GOLD 1/2 inch hex mesh classifier and the Garrett 14 inch sifter both fit a 5-gallon bucket, and TerraX sells a 5-gallon bucket kit with a 1/4 inch classifier, a gold pan, a snifter bottle and a glass vial. For volume at the dig, Raytech 16 inch hand sifters come in 1, 3/4, 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 inch openings, alone or as a set of five with a container. XP 15 inch classifiers come in 0.394 inch (10 mm) and 0.197 inch (5 mm) mesh, sold alone, as a pair or in the XP Gold Pan Premium Kit with 11 and 15 inch pans.

Stackable Classifier Sets

A stackable set nests several screens in one column, so one shake sorts material into fractions. TerraX 13-1/4 inch screens come in nine sizes, from 1/2 inch down to 1/100 inch, singly or as a complete set, and TerraX 6 inch screens cover #10 to #60 mesh for sampling. The Camel Mining 5-piece set runs from #10 to #60 mesh with a solid bottom tub, we offer an 8.5 inch 6-piece sifting pan set, and the Blue Bowl 4 inch stackable sifter (#14, #30, #50 and #100) takes matching 4 inch lids. Pans to put under the stack are in our gold pans and panning kits.

Fine Mesh for Concentrate Cleanup

From about #20 mesh down, screens are cleanup tools rather than digging tools. The Gold Cube Golden Rule Classifier System makes 16 size classifications, from #4 to #400 mesh, with one ring and two jars; the 16 Screen Pro Pack holds every screen and the 4 Screen Clean-up Pack holds #16, #30, #50 and #100. Blue Bowl 12 inch screens run from 1/2 inch down to #100 mesh, and a stainless 4-screen set covers #20, #30, #50 and #100.

Cleanup machines take screened feed. Gold Cube rates the Gold Cube for 1/8 inch classified material, and its trommel classifies to 3/16 inch as you feed it. For a Blue Bowl or a spiral wheel from our gold wheels, screen to the size in that machine's instructions.

How to Choose a Classifier

  • Digging and panning: We recommend a 1/2 inch bucket classifier plus a 1/8 inch screen and a gold pan as the starter loop for creek and bank material.
  • Sampling: A stackable set shows which sizes your ground carries before you buy bigger gear.
  • Volume processing: A 16 inch hand sifter screens more material per shake for a sluice or highbanker; see our sluice boxes and highbankers.
  • Cleanup: A fine mesh set from #20 to #100 ahead of your final pan, Blue Bowl or gold wheel.

Why Buy Your Gold Classifier from Serious Detecting?

  • Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Orders over $99 ship at no extra cost across the continental US.
  • Authorized Dealer for Every Brand We Carry: Showroom and local pickup in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and the full manufacturer warranty on every classifier and sifter.
  • Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer mesh size and setup questions by phone at (844) 771-0707 or by email.

Customer Questions & Expert Answers

Get real answers from outdoor explorers and our product experts. Browse questions about performance, features, and setup —or ask your own to make sure this gear fits your next adventure.

What is a gold classifier?

A gold classifier is a screen that sorts dirt and gravel by size before you pan or sluice it. Material that is all one size stratifies cleanly, so the gold settles to the bottom instead of washing out with oversized rock, and the same gold pan recovers more gold from classified material.

A good first screen is a 1/2 inch classifier that sits on a 5-gallon bucket; finer screens come next. See the full range of gold prospecting equipment to build out your kit.

Answered by Dan P. · June 2026

What size classifier do I need for gold panning?

The classifier size you need for gold panning depends on the stage: start with a 1/2 inch classifier to remove cobbles, and add a 1/8 inch screen if you want pan-ready material. For fine gold and concentrate cleanup, step down through #20 to #100 mesh; a #100 mesh screen opens to 0.0059 inch (0.15 mm).

Stackable sets and screen packs from TerraX, Raytech and Gold Cube give you a range of sizes in one purchase. Pair your classifier with a gold pan for a complete starter setup, and see our gold panning guide for technique.

Answered by John W. · June 2026

Is a classifier the same as a sifter?

Yes, a classifier and a sifter are the same tool in prospecting, and so is a sieve. All three names describe a screen that sorts material by size before you pan or sluice it. Screens are sized by hole size or mesh number, from 1 inch openings down to #400 mesh. Beach hunters use the same idea in sand scoops and floating sifters.

Answered by Richard T. · June 2026

Do I really need a classifier, or can I just pan?

You can pan without a classifier, but you will lose more fine gold to turbulence and spend time working cobbles. Classifying first means every pan holds material of one size, so it stratifies faster and the gold stays put. A 1/2 inch bucket classifier is a simple first step. Our gold panning guide walks through the full process, from classifying to cleanup.

Answered by Dan P. · June 2026

What mesh size catches fine gold?

For fine gold, also called flour gold, we recommend screening your concentrate to #30 mesh (0.023 inch, 0.6 mm) and finer, then working the fines with a finishing pan, a Blue Bowl concentrator or a snuffer bottle rather than a full-size pan.

Gold Cube Golden Rule screens run from #4 to #400 mesh for this kind of cleanup. Our flour gold guide walks through the steps.

Answered by John W. · June 2026

What is the difference between a 1/100 inch screen and a #100 mesh screen?

A screen sold as 1/100 inch and a #100 mesh screen are the same size in our collection: TerraX and Blue Bowl sell their #100 mesh screens under the 1/100 inch name. Mesh numbers count openings per linear inch, and the wire takes up part of that inch, so a #100 screen opens to 0.0059 inch (0.15 mm). The same goes for 1/30 inch and #30 (0.023 inch, 0.6 mm) or 1/50 inch and #50 (0.012 inch, 0.3 mm).

Screens named by hole size work differently: a 1/8 inch screen opens to 0.125 inch (3.2 mm), larger than a #8 mesh screen at 0.094 inch (2.36 mm). Fine screens are in our TerraX and Blue Bowl collections.

Answered by Richard T. · November 2026

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