FOOLS GOLD AND SAND AND MICA

[benjira]

This is my first post on this forum. I live in the Dahlonega gold belt and have a creek that runs down to Lake Alatoona in my backyard. I was out panning there this morning and there is so much fool's gold and mica and course sand, it is hard to tell if there is any gold at all. Plus it is that Ga. red mud on top of all that. Any tip's or pointers how to differentiate real gold from all the non real. Great website

Bob

 

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[goldog]

The gold stays in the pan.

 

[soupfreak]

Welcome aboard! Here's a few tips:

-Gold is 19 times heavier than water...the heaviest thing you should have in your pan. Using the right technique you should be able to get the gold and black sands to the bottom of the pan.

-Crush test. If you crush it and it goes into pieces then it's not gold.

-If it goes from shiny to dull as you move it in the light then it's not gold.

-Under a magnifying glass or jewelers loupe if it's square and/or jagged then it's likely not gold.

As you practice it will become easier to spot gold. I recommend checking out the gold panning video thread

Happpy Hunting!

 

[smokeythecat]

Definately crush the pyrite and sometimes pyrite contains hidden gold. Gold is MUCh heavier. Use a magnet to remove some of the pyrite.

 

[benjira]

I have yet to see any black sand in my creek. Just lot's of shale looking stuff, almost like clay.

 

[DesertNuggets]

Pan the dirt on bedrock and in cracks and crevices.

 

[Sheldon J]

Yeah don't give up you just may not be looking in the right places....
Post photos of your hunting area the guys here can be very helpful