SHERRYs THREAD - My Gold Prospecting Journey

[GoldpannerDave]

SATURDAY, AUG 9th.

I was prospecting with a friend "Drywallman" and we were taking turns testing spots and running them through my Bazooka Super Mini. Well I had just ran the material from my test spot and the clean out was a bust. So, I decided that I would scoop back up my tailings and rerun them while readjusting my Bazooka to run more level. So, I let Drywallman pan the cons, we didn't get any gold in the rerun but we were surprised to find an interesting BONUS! It appears to be a diamond that had fallen out of a ring or pendant settings. I went online and found testing instructions to determine if it is a real diamond vs. a CZ and it seems to be real based on that but I plan to take it to a jeweler to check. Whether real or not, maybe in a couple years I'll have a jeweler melt down my gold and handcraft a pendant for myself. ;-)

Shery, quick test for a diamond. After cleaning it, put it in your mouth. Diamonds feel cool; cubic zirconium doesn't. Old diamond hunters use that test though I doubt they cleaned it.

 

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[Sideways Sherry]

Jeff, that's hilarious!!!

 

[Sideways Sherry]

SHERRY's THREAD - My Gold Prospecting Journey

Goldpanner Dave,
I put garnets and other cool small rocks in my mouth that I find when I'm panning to put in a little bottle later. Just ask GoldenMojo! [emoji12] And cleaning is for pansies! Hehehe!

So, I tried your suggestion but, I can't tell the difference. LOL!!! However, it did cut my mirror. Maybe one day I'll take it to a jeweler to have it tested.

If it is real, I think I'll polish my first pinky nail sized garnet I found and have them both made into a pendant to wear on my gold necklace. That would be real special to me!

 

[KevinInColorado]

Diamond repels water totally. Dip it in water, does it come out wet or dry?

 

[GoldpannerDave]

Goldpanner Dave,
I put garnets and other cool small rocks in my mouth that I find when I'm panning to put in a little bottle later. Just ask GoldenMojo! [emoji12] And cleaning is for pansies! Hehehe!

So, I tried your suggestion but, I can't tell the difference. LOL!!! However, it did cut my mirror. Maybe one day I'll take it to a jeweler to have it tested.

If it is real, I think I'll polish my first pinky nail sized garnet I found and have them both made into a pendant to wear on my gold necklace. That would be real special to me!

A diamond conducts heats very effectively; that is why they feel cool to the touch, though most people cannot tell with their fingers. Hence, the mouth (tongue). If you have an unmounted diamond and cubic zirconium and/or glass, compare them one after the other.

However, cutting glass is usually a good sign.

 

[Goodyguy]

Just get an electronic diamond tester they're cheap and are accurate.

This is the one I use: Portable Diamond Tester Selector V2 with Case Gemstone Platform Jeweler Tool | eBay

 

[GoldpannerDave]

Just get an electronic diamond tester they're cheap and are accurate.

This is the one I use: Portable Diamond Tester Selector V2 with Case Gemstone Platform Jeweler Tool | eBay

I did not realize they were so inexpensive. Thanks for the information!

 

[GoldpannerDave]

I did not realize they were so inexpensive. Thanks for the information!

I looked them up; about $11 to $20, though some were for more. Found out they work on the fact the diamond conducts heat extremely well (hence the lip/tongue test) but not electricity, which is strange--most do both or neither. Looks like I need to get me another gadget!

Thanks again for the info and source; you are a fountain of useful information, I have noticed. And we appreciate your sharing with TN.

 

[Goodyguy]

It's great for field testing, had mine for a few years now and I bought one for my brother too. He specializes in diamond hunting while I mostly prospect for gold.

Here are a few raw diamonds that the tester confirmed for me..........

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

What state were those found in goodyguy?

 

[Goodyguy]

What state were those found in goodyguy?

Indiana and Arkansas.

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Cool thanks

 

[GoldpannerDave]

It's great for field testing, had mine for a few years now and I bought one for my brother too. He specializes in diamond hunting while I mostly prospect for gold.

Here are a few raw diamonds that the tester confirmed for me..........
View attachment 1121175

Wow, nice looking stones. You found those? Arkansas has diamonds, so does NE Colorado (they say, but I have never found any that I know).

Nice; since I am in Colorado guess I ought to check stones before I toss them!

 

[Sideways Sherry]

Ok, I know I owe you guys lots of stories from the last 5 months but... I just have to share my very first picker with you! When I saw this in the matting I almost crapped my pants! This was from a single 5 gallon bucket of 1/2 inch classified material and what was weird was there wasn't even another single speck of gold in that bucket!

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Ok, I know I owe you guys lots of stories from the last 5 months but... I just have to share my very first picker with you! When I saw this in the matting I almost crapped my pants! This was from a single 5 gallon bucket of 1/2 inch classified material and what was weird was there wasn't even another single speck of gold in that bucket! <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1131146"/>

Congrats on the picker! More to follow

 

[Dgoldman]

Nice one Sherry! Have you weighed it yet? Might be a Nuggie in my book?

 

[Jeff95531]

Wow Sherry! Congrats! Nothing else? Sounds just like normal as far as gold goes. Finding one like that is proof enuf!

 

[AlaskaGold]

That's a nuggie in my book! Congratulations!

 

[GoldpannerDave]

Very nice piece of gold, Sherry. May it be the first of many. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us winter-bound prospectors.

 

[Vance in AK]

Ok, I know I owe you guys lots of stories from the last 5 months but... I just have to share my very first picker with you! When I saw this in the matting I almost crapped my pants! This was from a single 5 gallon bucket of 1/2 inch classified material and what was weird was there wasn't even another single speck of gold in that bucket! View attachment 1131146

But we still need stories.