Yes there are tons of old gold mines around mt shasta but no one locally speaking are interested in any of the local minerals nor is anybody willing to attest to somebody actually having gold. I've even gone into local jeweler / mineral shops and they are not truthful whatsoever about gold. I know that I have found and have gold in concentrates but to repurpose into one button or separate out other minerals is quite an impossible task without any money. But on another note I have collected minerals for a solid year if not longer as well as have past experience in Northern California alluvial Jade hunting on a private claim. So, this is not a new experience for me nor something extraneous, but something enjoyable for filling and quite a challenge which I am needing in my life. Although not needing the financial distress I am under, although life is full of that. As for doing actual reading and literature I have been able to acquire quite a bit on minerals and mineral ization. It's quite hard to find anything with distinguishable pictures or that matchup, it doesn't seem as though there is much localized, literature, people who are willing to talk about or show anything. So I have done all of this on my own understanding and enjoyment of gems and minerals. As for Cinnabar I did not believe Cinnabar to be in that specific gravity range but have not yet looked into it will do so this evening