What is this???? Could it be a gold nugget? (SOLVED)

[Nuggets4me]

Okay, this was found pretty deep, it seemed like we dug about two feet. We got a high toned signal on the detector that registered 25 cents. So, we started digging. We found a small piece of porcelain first. We then began digging and sifting with our hands and this is what we found. I did not take home with me all of the broken porcelain. There was so much! Also not pictured was a porcelain light socket which I think is a part of the base we found. It says 250watts on it. In and around the same area we found a heavy black "rock". We began scratching it and I don't think the pictures do it justice, but it seems to show a gold color. Also, I could be mistaken-but I am pretty sure I can see (with a jewelers loupe) a bit of quartz in there. It weighs 1¼ ounces. I am in the process of cleaning it to reveal the true color. For now, I have pictures of what it looks like when it was found.

 

[Nuggets4me]

Re: What is this? Could it be a gold nugget?

Wow.....I bet you are way more excited than I am now.....I cant wait to hear the answer to everyones question. Makes me want to dig my entire lawn up do to the fact that about 12 inches down there are old burn pits from way back in the day.

You are too funny! I bet you could! LOL You never know....I can't believe that we found it so quickly-and really we didn't even use the detector to find the first one. It really is a great start to a exciting hobby!

 

[Nuggets4me]

Re: What is this? Could it be a gold nugget?

Cool. I hope it turns out to be gold. Out of all the melted blobs I have found, (that were shiny after cleaning or scratching) only a small percentage of them were actually precious metals so the odds are against it.

Aluminum used to be a precious metal. If we could only time travel back a couple hundred years, a fortune could be made with pull-tabs!

Now that the melted metallic "blob" is cleaned, there is noticeable areas of green verdigris in places. This indicates copper content. I have personally seen 10K gold jewelry, (only 41.6% gold) come from beaches that has turned dark with tarnish. These are usually a dark brown/black though, and no green coloration. My hunch is this mystery piece may be some melted copper alloy or brass type metal.

CC Hunter

Although, it has been tested and is gold..... I just wanted to say that it was not green at all....it was black, AND there is definitely copper deposits on it, it has a pink color. Also, the weird little tip on the top shows a silver looking metal. From what I understand-gold naturally has copper and silver impurities in it. I don't know much about this but from what I have learned and experienced for myself, it all makes sense. I'm still not sure whether it was a melted product of fire or if this is what gold looks like in its natural state. Obviously my lack of knowledge prevents me from determining that. If I knew that would aid me in finding more-that's for sure. I have been scouring the internet for more information about the area, I really need to got to the library and see what I can find. SO, what do you think? Fire, or natural?

 

[CC Hunter]

Awesome that some of the metal tests positive for gold!

These pieces of gold are most likely from jewelry items melted during a fire. There could be the possibility of multiple jewelry items that became melted and fused together (gold, silver, copper, etc.), which could account for variance in color and purity testing. Most gold in natural form (such as nuggets) from Western America, will generally run 75%-90% pure and better (18K-22K or finer). Considering that the pieces you have are around 10K to 14K purity, matches well with the most common jewelry grade alloy gold.

Were the larger gray colored melted pieces also found in this same location? Have they been tested for silver content?

CC Hunter

 

[Nuggets4me]

Awesome that some of the metal tests positive for gold!

These pieces of gold are most likely from jewelry items melted during a fire. There could be the possibility of multiple jewelry items that became melted and fused together (gold, silver, copper, etc.), which could account for variance in color and purity testing. Most gold in natural form (such as nuggets) from Western America, will generally run 75%-90% pure and better (18K-22K or finer). Considering that the pieces you have are around 10K to 14K purity, matches well with the most common jewelry grade alloy gold.

Were the larger gray colored melted pieces also found in this same location? Have they been tested for silver content?

CC Hunter

Thanks for your input! No, these were two completely different locations. We did some tests, we have so much of this stuff right now. Some turned orangish yellow, some brownish? To me its inconclusive just what it is, but it definitely didn't turn deep Red like the sterling ring we tested, or even red like the silver round. Idk! But, I think you are right-had to be jewelry or something. I still don't know who lived there, but someone said it was a man who had a mine....I personally do not believe that. You won't find me looking for a mine that's for sure. I want proof before I go looking! But who knows.

 

[kuger]

I guarantee these were melted.There are several clues to support this.#1 there are visible air/bubbles,and one piece is flat on one side

 

[Nuggets4me]

I guarantee these were melted.There are several clues to support this.#1 there are visible air/bubbles,and one piece is flat on one side

Thanks! Okay, so bubbles are indicative of melting process. I can agree with that. But..as for the flat part-like I said we smashed it with a hammer The one on the left in the picture is how we found it and the more flat piece was put through the ol' "see if it's gold and smash it with your hammer" test. Because, after all gold is the most malleable metal!!!! It passed! LOL

 

[homefires]

Cool Beans! Cha Ching!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What is this? Could it be a gold nugget?

Ok guys, whoever said even if you get the kit you may not be able to accurately test it is right! LOL, it seems you need somewhat of a trained eye to know what you are looking for. However, a coin store said it was 14k, and from our tests it looks like 10k. IDK but its GOOOOOOLLLLLLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great news. Let us know what the coin dealer was willing to pay or what you sell for..

I know a few burnt down mobile homes that may need to be checked more carefully. Problem is so much melted aluminum and copper wiring.

 

[Gunrunner61]

Well Congrats on DA Gold find nuggets, now get back out there and find the rest of that jewelry box.......HH

 

[kuger]

I guarantee these were melted.There are several clues to support this.#1 there are visible air/bubbles,and one piece is flat on one side

Thanks! Okay, so bubbles are indicative of melting process. I can agree with that. But..as for the flat part-like I said we smashed it with a hammer The one on the left in the picture is how we found it and the more flat piece was put through the ol' "see if it's gold and smash it with your hammer" test. Because, after all gold is the most malleable metal!!!! It passed! LOL

The bubbles are always the dead give away

 

[Nuggets4me]

Well Congrats on DA Gold find nuggets, now get back out there and find the rest of that jewelry box.......HH

Lol! I think it may have been an old relay station. Not sure. Still trying to figure it out. I hope there is more.

 

[Nuggets4me]

Re: What is this? Could it be a gold nugget?

Ok guys, whoever said even if you get the kit you may not be able to accurately test it is right! LOL, it seems you need somewhat of a trained eye to know what you are looking for. However, a coin store said it was 14k, and from our tests it looks like 10k. IDK but its GOOOOOOLLLLLLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great news. Let us know what the coin dealer was willing to pay or what you sell for..

I know a few burnt down mobile homes that may need to be checked more carefully. Problem is so much melted aluminum and copper wiring.

I know what you mean. But, there may be a payoff! We found SO MUCH crap it was unreal. I still have alot of melted stuff idk what it is.....