White Nugget!

[Furismo]

I was wondering what type of nugget this is. I found it in a creek with my Ace 250. I set my detector to jewerly mode and it rings up under the gold area mostly. Is it Silver, Platnium or something else?

 

[nsdq]

I was wondering what type of nugget this is. I found it in a creek with my Ace 250. I set my detector to jewerly mode and it rings up under the gold area mostly. Is it Silver, Platnium or something else?

get it tested

 

[Furismo]

Where and what kind of test?

 

[nsdq]

Where and what kind of test?

take it to a jeweler for a gold and silver test

 

[Furismo]

How do I test it for Platinum though?

 

[mobile miner]

Could be gold coated with mercury.

 

[tinpan]

Hi try weighing the nugget . The weight will narrow the amount of possibles.

tinpan

 

[Furismo]

I don't have any scales to weigh small items.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Check the records of the area you found it in. See if silver or platinum are more common. If you can borrow a small portable scale from someone, you can do a specific gravity (in water) test on it (as was suggested earlier). If not, order one online--they're not that expensive, and they're very handy.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[Furismo]

I would like to keep the nugget in the condition it's in. Doing a scratch test might ruin the look of it.

 

[matt092079]

I have found lots of stuff that looks similar, but I've tossed it thinking it's junk. I figured it was some type of alluminum that has been melted. I'd say get it tested...

 

[kuger]

Its lead.....I will just about promise ya

 

[Sundancer]

Silver I'd occasionally find sluicing for gold in AZ was always pure black.

 

[Havilah_Springs]

Hey Furismo,

Try placing it in a retort and heating it up. If it is a gold nugget coated with mercury, the mercury will evaporate off of it. If you do not have access to a retort, place it in a cast iron skillet and heat it slowly to achieve the same affect. WARNING!!! do this in a well ventilated area outside and stay away from the fumes while doing this as the fumes are hazardous. I highly reccommend the retort method.

​

H_S

 

[teleman 2525]

mercury was used a lot in the1800,s to help seperate gold from black sand not uncomon to find mercury on gold in some areas were mercury was used alot

 

[Havilah_Springs]

I agree with Sundancer, and lead will have a dull, flat tone to it

H_S

 

[Furismo]

I'm heating it up now. I thought Mercury melted at room temp though? What is the point of heating it up?

 

[Furismo]

Nothing happend after I tried to cook it :P.

 

[Havilah_Springs]

Most likely not mercury, maybe platnum.

H_S

 

[kuger]

I could have told ya it wasnt mercury.
Heating it is to cause the Merc to evaporate which is when it becomes very toxic....the fumes will kill you.Not something that should be done by the inexperienced..........I am still betting it is lead.If I was near my lead bucket I could show exact specimens