GOLD or BRASS

[precious4204]

Another one of grandpas finds.
All my research and with his background tells me this is placer / lode gold.
I took it to a cold silver shop and he tell me it is brass.

My findings says a magnet will not stick, not brass
Can cut it with a knife
After washing in a make shift acid type wash...... (was told since didn't have acid to use salt and lemon juice). It cleaned up really well too.

ANY HELP WITH THIS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Could I take it to my local museum to find out?
Thanks ahead of time. You all have been great in helping me so far and had to lean this way again.

 

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[Cariboo5]

"My findings says a magnet will not stick, not brass"............I think if you check into it more you will find that solid brass is non-magnetic, if an item is brass-plated then a magnet will stick to it...

From your pictures it is hard to say...

 

[huntsman53]

Take it to a Jewelry Shop or Pawn Shop and have them test it for Gold. It appears to be some form of smelting Slag but what was being melted, I have no idea. Not sure if better in-focus pics with better lighting would help but they might.


Frank

 

[Eu_citzen]

Do a streak test, gold has a golden streak. (i.e. rub it against a unglazed piece or porcelain) What colour does it leave?

 

[loco oro]

brass does not occur naturaly,and if this was melted slag from brass,the copper content of the brass ,at high temps the copper produces oxides that will be black,and then green, this is why old brass turns green,same when subjected to extreme heat,before you cleaned it did it have a greenish tinge,or black residue?and above is correct ,brass is not magnetic.a simple streak test should confirm, testing it for softness would need to done by someone familiar with gold,because both are soft, gold being softer!

 

[precious4204]

ok, thank you everyone for your help. going to take it to a jewlers

 

[precious4204]

ok, thank you everyone for your help. going to take it to a jewlers

I have found a couple small quarts spots on one. That is why I lean towards Gold more than Brass. Also grandpa worked in a smelter.

 

[loco oro]

streak it ,it could be pyrite,pyrite leaves a black streak ,if quartz attached to some it is not brass.

 

[precious4204]

I am not sure how to remove this thread?
I have found out that my grandpa had been taken advantage of. He sold some fire agate being told this was native gold...... it is melted brass

 

[kimster]

You can buy a chemical test kit online for around $10. Just search for "gold test kit".