Gold Ore: To crush or not to crush and mineral identification

[cardinalrunner]

Hi guys, I recently started busting up some of the rocks I have collected over the years. I haven't mustered up the courage to get these down to powder.

I did roast a couple in the fire and quickly stopped due to the fumes-very sweet smell. I later asked my parents (chemists) and was informed that this was a very bad idea.

I have now convinced myself that some of these might contain lead, arsenic, and mercury sulphides! yikes! I am hoping this is just my paranoia! Can any of you shed light on this? Think I should crush and pan them out?

If you had to pick one to cush (in hopes of panning out gold) which set of ores would you pick?

Thanks

-Card

 

[dave wiseman]

It's only ore if it contains a mineral of value.Crush them all and hopefully you'll recall where you found the samples.

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Your 3rd picture, that stained quartz, is the kind of stuff I find in tailings piles in my area.

 

[cardinalrunner]

Your 3rd picture, that stained quartz, is the kind of stuff I find in tailings piles in my area.

funny that you say that, as that specimen was found in a tailings pile. The mine has been shutdown for the better part of a century. Do you think its worth crushing? since you mention tailing piles, I am not sure if it is "junk" or not. Thanks!

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Cardinal, I hove only crushed a couple pieces from my area, and haven't found anything yet, but I firmly believe I will eventually. I believe what we are finding is what was classified as low grade ore, by those operating mines of old. Like someone else said, you'll never know what's in them, if you don't crush and pan them. Only takes a couple minutes. You owe it to yourself to find out. Good luck

 

[kuger]

they arent worth anything unless you can visibly see gold....I do not....crush em all