Metal Detecting finds for Native Silver

[meMiner]

Here is a show and tell video of the rocks from my last metal detecting trip to Northern Ontario at abandoned silver mines. I used a Gold Bug 29er with a NEL coil.


For fun, I also put a GoPro onto my dog and let her film the mine site from her perspective:


Here is one of the many mining roads that we explored. Again, from the dog's perspective, which on that hot day was to get to the lake at the end of the trail for a swim. In this spot, we did not find the mine we were looking for, but did find another one nearby.

 

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[Jim Hemmingway]

Thanks for posting these videos Placergold, I particularly enjoyed watching Daisy's travels. That is a real little friend to have for company and I do envy you. Did I see Sheldon's truck in the one video? Holy Cow he is persistent, even in the hot dog days of summer... tip of my hat to you guys!!!

Jim.

 

[meMiner]

Daisy was whooped after that trip and slept for 3 days. She is a good buddy to have along. Her paws were pretty sensitive by the end of the trip - from the sharp and hot rocks. It was sunny and hot in those dark rock piles. Daisy is ready to go again, but will have to wait a few weeks. I have learned that bugs, sun and long days detecting are no detraction to Sheldon. One of the best fellows to swing a coil with for sure.

I had some time after work to fuss with a few rocks and cut a window into one to have a peek inside. I will post the video shortly:


Not sunny enough to get a good picture, but I tried anyway:

 

[Jim Hemmingway]

There's a lot of good, pure-looking native silver in that rock Placergold. Amazing what can be in a rock. You've got a fine example there of lightning silver. I believe Sheldon slabs such material and apparently they sell at good prices to south-west dealers. Not to mention that cloudburst of particulate silver... congratulations on a real fine sample. Beautiful stuff!!!

Jim.

PS: At the time of posting I could not view your video, hopefully it'll be ready tomorrow.

 

[cryptic]

Great looking pieces, placergold! I really like the video with the Go-Pro on Daisys back. I'm glad that we were able to find some nice pieces and try a few new spots. It is certainly becoming harder to find anything near the surface with a metal detector but they can still be found. I was out the other day with my youngest boy at the spot with the head frame where Daisy took a ride in the back of my truck. Not even 20 feet away from where you can park I got a good signal. After almost 2 hours of digging in hard packed rock and clay, nearly 2 feet down, I pulled this 65 pounder out of the ground. There are many holes in the same spot that other detectorists have dug but for some reason neglected to dig this signal.

 

[Jim Hemmingway]

WTG Sheldon, this will serve as an inspiration for the autumn season. Did I not tell you last autumn that there would be more great finds in your future?? Congratulations, you earn and deserve everything you find. We'll likely see you up there within a week or two if the cool weather will persist. Good luck and good hunting!!!

Jim.

 

[DizzyDigger]

PlacerGold: That's a good pic, and I was able to polish it
up a bit more.

Without holding a piece in my hand, I wouldn't know native
Silver if it jumped up and bit me on the butt, but at least now
I've got an idea of what to look for.

 

[cryptic]

Thanks, Jim. I hope you make it up here to do some detecting. Speaking of motivation, here is a picture of another piece that was found about 10 feet away from the 65 lbs. piece. It weighs nearly two pounds and it is silver and acanthite in calcite. I saw your post in another thread about acanthite on this forum and I was surprised to find this one so thought I would share it. It has some great shiny crystals in it. Fresh from the ground so it did not have a very good cleaning in this picture.

DizzyDigger, you sure made the silver pop out in that picture. I think when placergold found that piece it seemed to only have a small vein showing on the surface. After cutting it you can really see what was on the inside.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Cryptic: I truly enjoy helping out a pic when it needs it, especially
if it's just a tune-up.

Is this closer to what your sample actually looked like? Also, what
is that little bit of turquoise looking material on the bottom right
of the pic?

 

[Jim Hemmingway]

Thanks, Jim. I hope you make it up here to do some detecting. Speaking of motivation, here is a picture of another piece that was found about 10 feet away from the 65 lbs. piece. It weighs nearly two pounds and it is silver and acanthite in calcite. I saw your post in another thread about acanthite on this forum and I was surprised to find this one so thought I would share it. It has some great shiny crystals in it. Fresh from the ground so it did not have a very good cleaning in this picture.

DizzyDigger, you sure made the silver pop out in that picture. I think when placergold found that piece it seemed to only have a small vein showing on the surface. After cutting it you can really see what was on the inside.

View attachment 1203827

Sheldon... I'll be along shortly and stay until the end of October, give or take a bit depending on the weather / frost.

The native silver and acanthite in calcite specimen above is one of the most unique and attractive samples I've ever seen. I'd love to get my hands on it to clean it properly... of course the rotary tool or wire brush must never touch the acanthite. Cleaned right, those two minerals against a beige / white partially crystalline calcite matrix will set that rock off just dandy, and equally appealing is that it will take just a beautiful photo. I would like to take that photo for use in a later article if that suits you.

Well Sheldon you've got something special there... and quite valuable. What do you think about a Banner nomination... is it worthwhile or do you care less?? I'm going to hit the nomination button pronto, and tender my warmest congratulations to you on a beautiful specimen find. Holy Cow!!!

Jim.

 

[cryptic]

Cryptic: I truly enjoy helping out a pic when it needs it, especially
if it's just a tune-up.

Is this closer to what your sample actually looked like? Also, what
is that little bit of turquoise looking material on the bottom right
of the pic?

Thanks DizzyDigger! It looks a little more blue in the picture then what it really is when you have it in hand. The little bright blue piece on the bottom is a bit of bornite.