Interesting find.

[Goldwasher]

I have a small 19th century prospect hole on my property and a lot of quartz float. I have detected some but as I clear brush I hit different areas. I used a goldmaster before and have a Gold Bug Pro now. I had the rare two hour stretch when no one was home I had a little time before work. I went out and detected for like fourty five minutes. No gold no trash I have actually found more trash farther from the prospect hole. Most likely detected before our house was built. Any way I did get on screamer of a target on my way back towards the house. Target bar 64 and switch to discriminate still there strong signal ready a 64 with slight change to 63. I scraped with my pick check still there scrape again its in the pine needles I thought bottle cap for sure.Its in the first scoop I start to seperate and end up with a loud screaming rock. Long and not like any hot rock I've hit its giving a solid I.D. It looks like a piece of the Mariposa Slate my house sits on. It does have a spot that looks like it has some kind of metallic sheen. It isn't heavy for its size. 2.3 grams. I know some one who can drop it in some acid for me I'll let you guys know what it is if anything. It is still very crisp and loud at six inches. Squeals when less than two inches.

 

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[Oakview2]

 

[meMiner]

It sure does not look like a rock that would contain gold, nor one that ought to be a hot rock. I am looking forward to hear what you discover. Sometimes, it is helpful to look at an interesting rock with a jeweler's optic to see details. Some guys use microscopes, but an optic fits in the pocket and costs less than $10. Good luck with it.

 

[Goldwasher]

I have a loupe and desk top magnification lamp. The only thing visible is the two round spots by my thumbnail. there is a bronze color to the spot. You are right it is not typical in any way to any hot rock found around here. It does have a small fracture and the slate here could have gold in it...even then I wouldn't expect it to scream the way it is. My son has a microscope I will have him pull it out after he gets home from school.

 

[63bkpkr]

I say old chap, is it magnetic?..................63bkpkr

 

[Goldwasher]

Come on Herb you know me better than that

 

[Goldwasher]

I put it in some vinegar a few hours ago when I came back to check it the vinegar was black got rid of that vinegar rinsed the rock dumped it more vinegar...now there is a crack giving off a bunch of grey bubbles.

 

[Goldwasher]

So. it turned the vinegar black, two changes still reacting. I took a pick of what's been exposed and tried to get the best ones I could with my sons microscope. Digital display with regular optics it was hard to tell what was gonna come out. You can see it is part of the rock. I see yellow also.

 

[meMiner]

You probably know this, but adding some salt to the vinegar helps with the process. Turning black is interesting. Maybe you have some copper oxide or iron in there. Other copper compounds would likely turn the water green. Hope you are able to solve the mystery....

 

[Goldwasher]

A 24+ hour vinegar bath? I don't know if it would just disappear if left for too long. Came out of the vinegar black I rubbed with my shirt and get a silver/white color Haven't looked under the microscope again. You can see some of the original rock.It is half its original weight. I thought it might be aluminum from a fire maybe. but it is hard and does not bend easily.There were no nearby trash targets either. Again I think it is natural.

 

[Oakview2]

Silver?, the black residue makes me lean that way, although the country rock doesn't look to be a likely host

 

[Goldwasher]

I agree.GBPRO says its silver also. It was found at about three inches. In line with the strike of the quartz vein in my yard. About twenty five feet from the prospect hole and about fifteen feet from where I found a fully formed crystal that has a green intrusion. I will be doing a lot more investigating of the area once my fall burning and clearing is finished.

 

[timberjack]

Interesting!

 

[Goldwasher]

Yep..I guess I will take it to a jeweler and see if I can get a quick test done.

 

[2cmorau]

wooooo goldwasher sweet pics, what Microscope?

 

[Oakview2]

I have had pretty good luck with the USB microscopes. The ones that go up and down are the best. You have to wait a while, most come from China

usb microscope | eBay

 

[Goldwasher]

I was wrong about GBPRO I.D. It is in the aluminum range very odd . I am 99% sure it is natural.It is hard and does not want to bend, I don't want to break it...Yet. The Micro scope is usb It has great optics the usb display leaes a lot to be desired it is hard to tell how a picture is gonna look due to pixilation it is hard to focus. I can't figure out how to use my laptop as a monitor.

 

[2cmorau]

Thanks, i found a piece of gold attached to I think its smoky quartz, but it’s small and my 10x loop can’t make it out

 

[63bkpkr]

Yes, yes Goldwasher I know better but hey, sometimes I do some silly things so asking didn't hurt.

Nice investigation and interesting to see the direction it is going and in your own backyard how nice. Not far to go to the claim! I hope this has more to it for you than just the surface find but watch out for the plumbing for the house.........................63bkpkr

 

[Goldwasher]

Just teasing you herb your input is desired and helpful....no worries I know where my waterlines are..and yes backyard finds are cool.