Wow! I just recently returned to TNnet after concentrating my posts elsewhere and I can't believe I read every post in this Thread as well as viewed every pic. Those are some awesome pics by all that contributed and especially by you (The Gilded Lens)!
I just wanted to comment on a few things. First, I agree that you should crush the Quartz and pan it out! Yeah, there may be lots of Mica and probably Pyrite but you may eventually find some Gold in there as well. The main thing I wanted to touch on that no one really said anything about was you mentioning the Blue Clay. The Blue Clay although a real pain in the Spuds McKenzie, is an extremely good sign and you should explore it as in dig it out and pan more and more of it. Blue Clay is often a sign of Silver as Silver turns Blue as it is exposed to limited amounts of oxygen and then will likely turn to more Magentas, Purples and other similar colors as it is exposed more and more to oxygen and it is probably what gives the Clay it's Blue coloring. Gray or sometimes referred to as Grey and Blue Clay and some other colors of Clay are often associated with Gold, Silver and sometimes other heavy metals such as Platinum and others. You may not find much of anything such as Gold or Silver flakes in the top layers of the Clay but mid-ways down or below the Clay, if you ever get that far, you may find decent amounts of Gold flakes and possibly Nuggets. You may never find anything flake or Nugget-wise in the form of Silver but there is a way to find out if Silver is actually there. I will try to find my notes (previous posts) on how to determine and actually extract the Silver but it requires a compound added to and mixed in with the classified Clay in an old Iron Pot or other appropriate container. You then torch the Clay and small nodules or round balls of Silver will appear if Silver is in the Clay. During this process, some other heavy metals may also form up in the same manner. I have a similar spot here in Tennessee and have been told that the Clay is flowing out of an eroding Volcanic Pipe and this may very well be the case with the Clay on the property where you reside. Since you rent/caretake the property, it might be a good idea to clean up and decorate with rocks, flowers or other growing things or even items where you dig out the Clay and Quartz as it could eventually become unsightly and the property owner may squash your prospecting on the property.
I hope this information helps and gets you onto some nice Gold, Silver and possibly other heavy metals!
Frank
The mica from washing off three sections of quartz!
