Float gold

[Sample Pan Dan]

I was panning some pay dirt yesterday, and had a flake start floating. I took a quick video, just so anyone who hasn't seen gold float before can see it. When the gold hits the air, and then water again the water quickly picked up this little piece of gold.
http://youtu.be/4w5Eg_ms7RA?sc

 

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[G1sammons]

I was panning some pay dirt yesterday, and had a flake start floating. I took a quick video, just so anyone who hasn't seen gold float before can see it. When the gold hits the air, and then water again the water quickly picked up this little piece of gold.
http://youtu.be/4w5Eg_ms7RA?sc

Ooh yea it's caused by surface tension of the water and a little soap or jet dry will fix the problem!

 

[Gravelwasher]

Oh ya haha.. had this happen all the time, I dont like putting anything in my water. I have found as long as I keep all the material covered with water when back swirling and panning and not letting all the water come down to the bottom of my pan it doesn't happen as often, when it does float I can usually tap the flake back down with my finger. I also take all my black sands home to run in a blue bowl after getting the majority out at the waters edge.

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Ya I know about surface tension, I also understanding is worse with treated city water than in a flowing body of water.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Nice job on your little video. I'll bet a lot of people have never seen gold float before. Your little youtube video should straighten them out though. A tiny bit of oil, the natural stuff on your skin or other oils will make it float as well. That's why a bit of liquid soap/detergent helps it drop again. A rookie sprayed some bug dope right by us one day when we were panning some concentrates. The small stuff floated right up, and the sheen from the oil in the bug spray was clear to see--but, a little detergent knocked it right back down under the surface again.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Thanks Lanny for the kind words, it means a lot to a greenhorn like me, to hear from a seasoned gold chasing veteran like yourself.
I just finished panning the 15lbs of pay dirt from Dahlonega Ga, given to me as a gift. Nice sassy, chunky gold!

 

[Lanny in AB]

Nicely done! Great pictures--a little golden smile too.

All the best,

Lanny