is this gold

[pa goldprospector]

im very new to panning i foolishly bought a gold cube a year ago been too biz to try it i just got the chance to try it with a topper i only used it 15 min. to try it and this is wut i found

 

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[infotraker]

Does not look like gold. Put water in the pan and swish around. If the contents move around easily then maybe some black sand , mica and small quartz pieces.

 

[arizau]

im very new to panning i foolishly bought a gold cube a year ago been too biz to try it i just got the chance to try it with a topper i only used it 15 min. to try it and this is wut i found View attachment 1326445

It is usually not foolish to buy a gold cube (one fine piece of equipment) but if there is no gold in the feed then....
Can't tell what you have there. IMO next step is to learn how to pan AND most importantly, know how to identify gold. Unless what you have there has gold in it then the best way to do that is to buy some paydirt and practice panning.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[pa goldprospector]

i tried that the pic was after my blue bowl its wut was left over i have a second pic much cleaner thank you for the reply

 

[pa goldprospector]

the most i ever have in my pan is small splitshot birdshot and 22s lol pa gold is like catching a ghost lol

 

[goldenIrishman]

Hard saying from the picture. There are a few "tests" you can easily do to figure it out on your own though.

1. Crush test. Try crushing the pieces in question. If they shatter or break up into smaller flakes it's some form of mica, not gold. Gold will flatten out/mash down
2. Streak test. If one piece is large enough rub it on a white tile (unglazed) and see if it leaves a gold streak.
3. Sun test. Pass you hand over the pieces so it casts a shadow on them. Pyrite and mica will darken while gold will still shine.
4. Swirl test. With just a little water in your pan, gently swirl the water over the pieces, Gold will be the last thing to move. Mica will move and look like it's floating a bit. Gold DON'T float!!!

 

[kcm]

Gold "can" float! If any oils get into the water, fine gold can and will float right out.

This includes skin oils, oil from your hair, from some piece of machinery maybe...also from gas or diesel.


EDIT: One more "oil" source to add to the list - INSECT SPRAY!

 

[SchoolOfHardRocks]

Gold "can" float! If any oils get into the water, fine gold can and will float right out.

This includes skin oils, oil from your hair, from some piece of machinery maybe...also from gas or diesel.

And due to surface area!!!

 

[winners58]

it could be gold or it could be iron pyrite the best way to tell is experience, that's what it takes, once you know you'll know
looks like your going to have to look at it under magnification, at least a 30X jewelers loupe. does it have a crystal structure or is it metal (gold)

 

[kcm]

There are some nice little loupes available on Amazon for less than $5; others less than $10.

 

[OwenT]

Ebay if you don't mind waiting weeks for shipping get one for about $2. I got a cheap one 20x. It works but next time I might spend more like $5-10 and get one a little more powerful.

 

[kcm]

https://www.amazon.com/KINGMAS®-Poc...&ie=UTF8&qid=1466204811&sr=1-4&keywords=loupe

https://www.amazon.com/Illuminated-...ie=UTF8&qid=1466204916&sr=1-62&keywords=loupe

https://www.amazon.com/Magnificatio...ie=UTF8&qid=1466204949&sr=1-78&keywords=loupe

 

[austin]

looks like little pyrite crystals. Cubic grains...

 

[HMiller]

https://www.amazon.com/KINGMAS®-Poc...&ie=UTF8&qid=1466204811&sr=1-4&keywords=loupe

I've got this one and absolutely love it but I paid $7.50 for it at a show. Dang now I have to get a few more. That's a good price. Used to use those 20x black rectangle ones with the 123 bulb but the the bulb kept burning out. These by far are superior.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Gold "can" float! If any oils get into the water, fine gold can and will float right out.

This includes skin oils, oil from your hair, from some piece of machinery maybe...also from gas or diesel.


EDIT: One more "oil" source to add to the list - INSECT SPRAY!

Good point kcm. Allow me to add a USUALLY in there where needed. That's what I get for posting before the coffee has worked its magic.

 

[kcm]

Irish, I deeply apologize that you had to have a "Failing Brain Cell" moment. You most likely caught that nasty, contagious bug from me, as I am quickly becoming overly famous for having such a deeply-seated case of this horrible disease. I "would" wish you better luck in the future, but then you'd probably have a baby grand piano fall on top of you while out in nature....and out of tune, no less!!

 

[gold tramp]

Gold "can" float! If any oils get into the water, fine gold can and will float right out.

This includes skin oils, oil from your hair, from some piece of machinery maybe...also from gas or diesel.


EDIT: One more "oil" source to add to the list - INSECT SPRAY!

One can float fine gold very easy just tilt your pan let the fine stuff air dry a little, very slowly allow water back onto the gold, amazing it will float,
as for just floating it right out of your equipment it probably wouldnt happen, all I run is fine gold, never have had it float unless I manipulate it to do so.
Skin, hair, insect spray I doubt would hurt ones op or float there gold off, maybe diesel or oil.
Not saying it cant happen, just havnt seen it and I work with some pretty fine stuff, my 2 cents.
GT………..


View attachment 1326970 View attachment 1326971

 

[pa goldprospector]

Ok thanks for the tips