✅ SOLVED Copper Nugget, Part Gold?

Ant · Dec 13, 2015

Now that I figured out the gold nugget that found in the same area I got around to this other nugget. And guess what, it seems to be a alloy of copper and gold, and I can see a couple of spits that look to be shot with gold. I see areas of gold and copper. Do any of you see what I see? It weighs close to a couple pounds, maybe more, and I clearly see gold.

I wonder what it would look like with the copper verdigris patina and the manganese coatings off. I guess I'll end up using Winslow's vinegar and table salt solvent solution to loosen up the patina and coatings.

Ant · Dec 13, 2015

Heck I would be happy if it is 5 % gold:

Ant · Dec 13, 2015

The last 2 photos are close ups of the gold shot spots:

Ant · Dec 13, 2015

Okay I couldn't wait, after about 40 minutes I took the nugget out of Winslow's solvent and lookie here it looks like way more than 5% gold

. What say you now? The nugget in back in the solvent for now. I took some of these pictures in direct sunlight and some in he shade:

Ant · Dec 13, 2015

A few more photos:

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

I didn't want to leave this thread hanging so after a diligent search on line it seems that the best match is that the copper nugget is a native float copper crystal nugget. They are said to have healings powers and energetic properties. Here the final results:

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

The only problem is that I think a gold nugget
1/64th the size has more healing powers than a copoer crystal nugget,

...

SoCalDesertFox · Dec 15, 2015

Copper is ~8 times as dense as water, gold is ~19 times as dense. A simple check with a glass of water and observing its displacement should help you identify if it's one, the other, or alloyed. See this video for more information -

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

I tested it as much as I could using the chemicals that I have and got zero. I'm going to watch the video now but I though water displacement was related to the size/volume not density. Thanks

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

So once I figure out the CC's do I float the specimen in water to figure out the displacement in order to find the SG? This specimen only consists of metallic minerals so the other SG formula wouldn't work, it was only for quartz.

SoCalDesertFox · Dec 15, 2015

Ant said:
So once I figure out the CC's do I float the specimen in water to figure out the displacement in order to find the SG? This specimen only consists of metallic minerals so the other SG formula wouldn't work, it was only for quartz.

What you do with the volume displacement is measure it out. mL converts to cm^3 and both are the same number so just divide your object weight by the mL displaced to get your density. Alternatively, since 1mL/cm^3 of water weighs one gram, divide your target weight by the weight of the water displaced in grams.

Take two containers, one must be larger than the other and the smallest container must be able to fit the entirety of your object with about an inch or so of head room. Put the smaller container inside, and fill it to the brim with water (not over the top where surface tension holds it in place, just up to the edge of the top.) Slowly put your nugget in that smaller cup and let the water in the smaller cup flow out into the larger container. You will measure the water that overflowed from the smaller container. Any liquid left in the container holding your sample object is of no further concern, carefully remove it from the container without spilling any additional water (the guy used a folded napkin as a wick to drop the water level a bit so he could safely remove the cup without spillage) and measure your overflow in the larger container.

If you get a single-digit number between 8-9.5 as the result, you likely have copper. If you get something around 10-11 you likely have some gold deposited in there. If you register closer to 15-17 you're looking at much more gold than copper, and 18+ is essentially solid gold. If you were around my area I'd gladly demonstrate it all for you personally!

Side note, chemical testing can be tricky. Trying to make an amalgam from this would be a pain as copper solves into mercury just as well as gold for the most part, as it would do with other similar elemental platinum-group purposed solvents despite not being in the platinum group.

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

Okay I have 50ml of water displacement. I came up with .05 cm or 3.05118 sq in's. I'll read what you wrote now, thanks.

SoCalDesertFox · Dec 15, 2015

So 50 mL/g/cm^3 of water got displaced. Find out the weight of your sample in grams. Divide your sample weight by 50.

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

My scale only goes to 100 grams. I'll have to bring it to the watch shop and get the weight, then I'll use your formula. Thanks a bunch Desert Fox, I'm a Desert Rat, lol...

SoCalDesertFox · Dec 15, 2015

Ant said:
My scale only goes to 100 grams. I'll have to bring it to the watch shop and get the weight, then I'll use your formula. Thanks a bunch Desert Fox, I'm a Desert Rat, lol...

If you were around Riverside I'd say let's meet up!

Alternatively, go to a 'dispensary' and ask to use their scale. I bet they'd love to see a raw chunk of metal like that for a few minutes.

SoCalDesertFox · Dec 15, 2015

Oh, something else to note, as large as that is, even a regular scale could tell you the approximate weight in pounds. Pounds x 488 will give you your grams. Even a rough estimate will work for the moment until you can get better equipment.

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

I used this measuring pitcher by placing the specimen inside then filling it to the top of he specimen. Then I removed it and took the reading, opposite of what the instructions said but the same rough results.

So I made a balance scale and used lead sinkers for counter weights, then I used my digital scale to weigh the fisging weights. I got 245.25 grams/ x50 =4.9058, so this says copper too.

Here's a few pics:

SoCalDesertFox · Dec 15, 2015

With a density that low, I'd wonder how much of that is actually copper. You're well below the density of pure copper, for certain. Anything else in that matrix that you can identify under a loupe? Gold would only increase the density, so it has to be less dense than copper. That low, I'm guessing something else REALLY non-dense, like aluminum. Until we can get a more accurate measurement, that's my best guess, unless that thing happens to be hollow!

Either way, that's a gorgeous specimen.

Ant · Dec 15, 2015

I'm 99.999 % sure it is a copper float crystal specimen, it is heavy in your hand like it is alloyed with gold, feels like gold or lead. And a matter of fact it is hollow, might even have some sealed cavities, it must have with a low number like that. There is ample evidence of a big bubble that may contained separate cavities in that bulbous looking area (red circle).

Yes it sure is a dazzling specimen even if i say so myself.

Hey I'm from Riverside but now I'm in the Hi Desert, those guys in the Riverside Club know me, most of the SoCal click form Leo to Dan (The Captain) too. I still have 2 brothers that live there.

Here's a few shots of the obvious hollow spots. Thanks again, it would have taken me a little time to figure that hollow issue out, thanks. I was like this it can't be that low and now with your help I know why: