WHAT Do I Have Ores Gold Silver No Clue Please Help ???????

[JustJohn]

I have several ores and samples that I've collected after crushing and panning. If I post photos can anyone help me to identify what it is I have, Like to know if I had something of value and want to make sure I don't have anything toxic?
I'm not sure what photos these are I just uploaded photos from a folder I had some photos in, but I have samples I have not taken photos of I would like help with if possible.
Thanks any help will be awesome.

 

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[DDancer]

Looks like pyrites in matrix. Silver is unlikely however if crushed and panned one could see if there is any gold associated with them.

 

[JustJohn]

Here is some of what i've panned from these and other samples but most of the stuff that came from the photos above was silver in color, how can i tell if this is gold?

 

[Argentium]

Some of the later pics look more promising to me - One of those white quartz pieces looks very good indeed - perhaps some
natural daylight pics would show them better .

 

[RobRieman]

Here is some of what i've panned from these and other samples but most of the stuff that came from the photos above was silver in color, how can i tell if this is gold?View attachment 1112334View attachment 1112335View attachment 1112336View attachment 1112337View attachment 1112338View attachment 1112339View attachment 1112340View attachment 1112341View attachment 1112342View attachment 1112343View attachment 1112344View attachment 1112345

Test it and you will not have a hundred people guessing what it is made of!

 

[49r Relics]

Is it attracted to a magnet?

 

[JustJohn]

Test it and you will not have a hundred people guessing what it is made of!

Yea I know nothing about ores gold silver panning none of it I was giving these rocks by a family member and just been trying to figure out what they are and if it may contain anything of value. Also since starting to investigate and play with "for lack of a better word" I really started to get interested. I don't remember hardly anything from science and geology from school and went to college for networking admin so I pretty much no 0. I purchased a panning kit its ok it came with two pans one for sifting and the other for panning a little hand shovel and the little tube suction thing. Where can I learn more quick, I know there is a ton of info on this site but digging through is kinda time consuming. I would like to know about melting refining, panning, what to look for or how to identify different metals or minerals, gems, etc. Also should I do anything to the ores before I crush them to pan? I've also got some type of drill samples or something that seem to be quartz and are big and heavy. I'll post pic later. But anyways thanks for the advice guys and please anything to get me headed in the right direction with this would be much appreciated "I think I found a new hobby rocks are cool I've got about 15 or so ounces of the gold nuggets that are in the picture with the white bowl. Can I just buy a touch and find a mold of some sort and melt away, theres has to be more to it?

 

[JustJohn]

No, I removed anything that was magnetic.

 

[unclemac]

Mercury...don't be foolish with it, but this is how it is done,

Gold Prospectors of the Rockies - What to do with your gold

 

[g-olden years]

Definitely post your pics & info on our Gold Prospecting Forum. Your photos are very good. But also wise to get in contact with someone locally with knowledge about minerals & how to handle them. In person help is the best! There's probably a gem & mineral club nearby with experienced people, university mineralogy department, or individuals with much experience. Friendly types who enjoy sharing knowledge! DO NOT heat up random rocks or minerals due to some of them exploding and others emitting toxic fumes. It's possible to get severe brain damage from some toxic fumes. Good ventilation is important also. I have no scientific knowledge of the methods and dangers of extracting gold, just random info I learned when I took classes in lapidary, casting, enameling on metal, etc. You need to learn the techniques & dangers before embarking on this new adventure. That said, I hope you join the hobby and have lots of fun! Andi

 

[tamrock]

From the looks of it I'd say it's Sulfanediide, substitutive, Sulfide - additive...Commonly called a sulfide deposits. Those rocks will have a host of minerals with in it. Are you picking these up from some old mine waste tailings somewhere? An assay will be the only way to tell what for sure is in those rocks. Iron pyrite is there for sure. Could have lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, molybdenum disulfide gold, silver and many other elements. Is it worth the cost to mill and process, if you have tons and tons of it. Only and assay will tell you that.

 

[tamrock]

Definitely post your pics & info on our Gold Prospecting Forum. Your photos are very good. But also wise to get in contact with someone locally with knowledge about minerals & how to handle them. In person help is the best! There's probably a gem & mineral club nearby with experienced people, university mineralogy department, or individuals with much experience. Friendly types who enjoy sharing knowledge! DO NOT heat up random rocks or minerals due to some of them exploding and others emitting toxic fumes. It's possible to get severe brain damage from some toxic fumes. Good ventilation is important also. I have no scientific knowledge of the methods and dangers of extracting gold, just random info I learned when I took classes in lapidary, casting, enameling on metal, etc. You need to learn the techniques & dangers before embarking on this new adventure. That said, I hope you join the hobby and have lots of fun! Andi

Well said. I got away with making a fatal mistake and toxic fumes, not knowing what I was doing at 20 years of age.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Thanks UncleMac. I knew mercury was used to amalgamate gold but didn't know how; or how to get it back.

 

[unclemac]

you bet charlie...dad used to do this with the other boys along the Snake for school money back in the late 20's. i doubt they used much in the way of precautions either...those were the DAYS!

 

[ikesdad]

Mash a piece. If it's pyrite, it will shatter, or crumble. If gold it will mash and deform.
In water pyrites will look darker, gold will not.
Unscientific, but an easy test.