Gold or pyrite (solved)

YoungBlood

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Sep 18, 2012
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This was actually a trick question that only a good geologist could answer. It is both gold AND pyrite. There is not enough gold to be worth anything plus you can't extract it. The little bit of gold gives it the color.
 

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I saw some ore from the gold mine 30 miles north of me a couple of months back.
It looked very similar to yours. Very dark host rock (not coal) with small dots of both pyrite and gold. Could easily see the difference with my 14x loupe.
The mine is said to be one of the largest gold producers in the world so I guess this ore has got more gold.
If I had access to your coal I would have a coal fired furnce in my basement. Send the ashes to be refined.
 

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Bajahunter said:
I saw some ore from the gold mine 30 miles north of me a couple of months back.
It looked very similar to yours. Very dark host rock (not coal) with small dots of both pyrite and gold. Could easily see the difference with my 14x loupe.
The mine is said to be one of the largest gold producers in the world so I guess this ore has got more gold.
If I had access to your coal I would have a coal fired furnce in my basement. Send the ashes to be refined.

Those three rocks are all I have and can't get more. :(
 

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next time you take photos of reflective surfaces try using a polarizing lens to cut down on the glare.
 

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Real easy gold/pyrite test is to use a pocket knife on the sample. Pyrite is brittle and is easily powedered with a knife blade.
 

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