✅ SOLVED Found this doing yard work. I believe it is natural platinum. But?????

[IAMKNOW1]

I was doing some yard work about a year ago and found what looked like a fossil to me and having always loved different rocks & minerals I brought it in the house. Doing some more yard work I began to notice there was A LOT of rocks in this yard. I can dig down 3 feet or so and have river rocks start filling my hole back up with little to no dirt. I started looking at some of these and I could see gold & pyrite, silver, gray to dark gray to metals in a lot of them. Now I am landscaping and breaking rocks. I picked up the old fossil & noticed gold & silver color in it so I decided to break it open and this is what I found. The nugget weighs 97.7 gr's & I tried your torch test. 20 minutes later & the tip of the nugget wasnt even red yet. I let it cool down & it looked like it had never seen a torch. I have a couple magnets that will really pinch your fingers & it just barely stuck to it. The complete piece weighs 1.74lbs. I washed it off after breaking it out of it's casing and glued it back together for the pictures. I have never seen anything like it in 50 years and was hoping someone on here could just verify what I think I have found. Thank you very much in advance, I can't wait to read your answers. T.

 

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[Breezie]

I made some popcorn and settled-in to this post hoping we'd know the results of the test tonight. Breezie

 

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[Goodyguy]

 

[calisdad]

I made some popcorn and settled-in to this post hoping we'd know the results of the test tonight. Breezie

I'm sure the popcorn will bring more satisfaction. It's getting to the point > banner worthy post + 1st post = well gee let me think about that. :-)

 

[wvwildman]

how'ed the test go

 

[IAMKNOW1]

Unfortunately (no pun intended) My wife & I had other business to tend to yesterday so we were unable to take it to the University. We are taking it there today. Also, on another note, my wife had taken it to our personal jeweler a couple days after discovering it and she was told "it is definitely not silver" and she also told me that He said "I have never seen anything like it before". He also admitted that he had never seen natural or raw platinum before either, but he did know natural platinum isn't pure, so testing it at a "pawn shop or Jeweler" isn't the answer. I promise when I have the answer from the Geo-science department here at our University, I will share the news with everyone here.
Happy treasure hunting. T.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

He also admitted that he had never seen natural or raw platinum before either, but he did know natural platinum isn't pure, so testing it at a "pawn shop or Jeweler" isn't the answer.

Makes sense because it contains a small percentage of ferrous.

I guess that leaves the junk yard gun test or the water density test. Maybe someone will google it and discover how to test an object with a high percentage of platinum with acid.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think you are correct the acid test will only test pure platinum or 22K gold http://www.ehow.com/how_8633043_acid-test-platinum.html



ADDED: Good link on testing precious metals http://www.quicktest.co.uk/goldtesting.htm

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Will the electronic tester work at a jeweler? How to Test Platinum Metal | eHow.com

 

[arnofarrell]

If the geo lab doesn't work out you should really find a junk yard with an XRF gun to analyse the metal. It will tell you exactly what it is and percents to. It is probably your easiest bet to get the exact read out.

 

[Archeodeb]

This... View attachment 742359

sure does look like these platinum nuggets in my opinion...

I wonder how often you get natural casts after volcanic eruptions? Metal melting into natural voids in rocks then solidifying when cool? Because that really does look like a cast inside a rock mold. You would certainly get vulcanism in Washington state. (And for those who mentioned brass -- I think that may only be the lighting.)

 

[sasnz]

Ok, here is my take on things, I asked the poster why he thought the specimen was platinum and what was his reasoning was behind his assumption, in another post down the trail he mentions that he has done research of some kind. Well thats all very good and sound but If I WON 25k in the lottery i wouldn't find too many things more important if i thought I had won. I am sure i would have collected it within a week.

If I was a betting man I wouldn't be putting money on this being platinum. on saying that I hope the hell it is because that would be one hell of a find especially if your house is built on it.

not trying to be negative but just sayin!!

 

[IAMKNOW1]

If the geo lab doesn't work out you should really find a junk yard with an XRF gun to analyse the metal. It will tell you exactly what it is and percents to. It is probably your easiest bet to get the exact read out.

That sounds pretty cool. I havent heard of this (machine?) We were told that we needed to email one of the professors and schedule an appoitment, which I just did & also included a promise of a 10k donation to that dept if it is Platinum. Hopefully that will at least get their attention if the nugget itself doesn't. Meanwhile I am going to read more about your suggestion. Thank you very much. T.

 

[IAMKNOW1]

Ok, here is my take on things, I asked the poster why he thought the specimen was platinum and what was his reasoning was behind his assumption, in another post down the trail he mentions that he has done research of some kind. Well thats all very good and sound but If I WON 25k in the lottery i wouldn't find too many things more important if i thought I had won. I am sure i would have collected it within a week.

If I was a betting man I wouldn't be putting money on this being platinum. on saying that I hope the hell it is because that would be one hell of a find especially if your house is built on it.

not trying to be negative but just sayin!!

LOL, I understand what you are saying, but we really don't need the money and more importantly......IT'S JUST A ROCK!! LOL No offense what-so-ever. I'm just really having fun and getting a lot of yard work done at the same time. Happy treasure hunting. Oh, hydrochloric acid & a welding torch (separate tests) did not put a mark on it. If aluminum or it would of had a reaction. A high power magnet barely sticks, which is common for Natural Platinum. The type of crystals that accompany it is not only consistent, but I believe is another 200 gr's or so of Platinum also. If true I have a lot more of the sponge type crystal platinum here, but haven't found any more nuggets of any size. I'm looking though.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

That sounds pretty cool. I havent heard of this (machine?) We were told that we needed to email one of the professors and schedule an appoitment, which I just did & also included a promise of a 10k donation to that dept if it is Platinum. Hopefully that will at least get their attention if the nugget itself doesn't. Meanwhile I am going to read more about your suggestion. Thank you very much. T.

$10,000 donation Wow kinda steep. I would look for someone with the electronic tester.

Did you read this? http://www.ehow.com/how_5022403_test-platinum-metal.html

 

[cti4sw]

Wherever you're from, I'm moving in next door.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Oh, hydrochloric acid & a welding torch (separate tests) did not put a mark on it. If aluminum or it would of had a reaction. .

I thought you used a propane torch. BTW you cannot weld with a propane torch. Its not hot enough. You cant even braze with it. Its for soft soldering. Could it be nickel? A magnet will sometimes barely stick to nickel.

Just for fun, try your torch on a heavy piece of known aluminum (not a thin beer can)

 

[boris]

boris,
What are your grey looking nuggets? Mine appears to be very similar to yours.

People here say they are aluminum, but after finding 1,000,000. pull tabs etc.I know aluminum will tarnish and break, my items bend and ring when dropped, like old half dollars. I think it is maybe silver, and left here on my Island by ancient shipwrecks or people from SI ie Sommer Islands, maybe Thomas Tew?{Bermuda} as I can see SI on each with P and roman numerals like X, V, L, C, M etc.like bralle too for the touch, all in shape of hogge and ship, see rings which are no way aluminum at all,human bones, broken bottles and debris litter my beaches here, and there is also a rock with a cross and deaths head chiseled into it that took 30+ years to notice. Maybe platinum, who knows? Also big rocks that have same markings and are like prisms? I first found a coin of brass that appears to be a different variety of a 3 Pence! HH boris PS Whydah is nearby. Does anybody Know about 1694? Look carefully and see that many are holed, I could get my child to do more pictures if you wish, I have large State pension, and have been retired a long time so please help with this everyone before I am gone! Coins here are plentiful, many pre-1964 and older, There are 1000s of little ones, but bigger ones are in photo my child's phone can do? These are from near Col. Greene's estate in Nonquitt close to Padamaram and on way to Newport, RI! He had mint make 5 1913 nickels if you look in a red book too! Just found a little green man yesterday? PCGS cost me 100s but could not make decision as many coins are unknown to them or maybe counterfeit? A true story by Poe is the Gold Bug. Mr. Parker has agreed it is not aluminum.

 

[PYRATE]

LOL, I understand what you are saying, but we really don't need the money and more importantly......IT'S JUST A ROCK!! LOL No offense what-so-ever. I'm just really having fun and getting a lot of yard work done at the same time. Happy treasure hunting. Oh, hydrochloric acid & a welding torch (separate tests) did not put a mark on it. If aluminum or it would of had a reaction. A high power magnet barely sticks, which is common for Natural Platinum. The type of crystals that accompany it is not only consistent, but I believe is another 200 gr's or so of Platinum also. If true I have a lot more of the sponge type crystal platinum here, but haven't found any more nuggets of any size. I'm looking though.

If you have gone to the trouble of testing w/ acid and testing w/ a welding torch, why have you yet to determine the volume as a number of people have suggested.

Get a ml graduated container, put some water in & measure, then put the chunk of what I believe to be aluminum in it and measure again.

The difference in measurements divided by weight should be more useful in answering your question than trips to 20 pawn shops, junk yards or jewelers.

 

[sasnz]

I think this quote sums up this thread.

"IT'S JUST A ROCK!! LOL No offense what-so-ever. I'm just really having fun"

 

[Marko0916]

People here say they are aluminum, but after finding 1,000,000. pull tabs etc.I know aluminum will tarnish and break, my items bend and ring when dropped, like old half dollars. I think it is maybe silver, and left here on my Island by ancient shipwrecks or people from SI ie Sommer Islands, maybe Thomas Tew?{Bermuda} as I can see SI on each with P and roman numerals like X, V, L, C, M etc.like bralle too for the touch, all in shape of hogge and ship, see rings which are no way aluminum at all,human bones, broken bottles and debris litter my beaches here, and there is also a rock with a cross and deaths head chiseled into it that took 30+ years to notice. Maybe platinum, who knows? Also big rocks that have same markings and are like prisms? I first found a coin of brass that appears to <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=745563"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=745564"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=745565"/>be a different variety of a 3 Pence! HH boris PS Whydah is nearby. Does anybody Know about 1685? Look carefully and see that many are holed, I could get my child to do more pictures if you wish, I have large State pension, and have been retired a long time so please help with this everyone before I am gone! Coins here are plentiful, many pre-1964 and older, There are 1000s of little ones, but bigger ones are in photo my child's phone can do? These are from near Col. Greene's estate in Nonquitt close to Padamaram and on way to Newport, RI! He had mint make 5 1913 nickels if you look in a red book too! Just found a little green man yesterday? PCGS cost me 100s but could not make decision as many coins are unknown to them or maybe counterfeit? A true story by Poe is the Gold Bug.

I've been pulling the same objects as you on the beach here in Long Island. I thought that maybe back in the day it was soldered metal but I always had some doubts