Bonaro
Hero Member
- Aug 9, 2004
- 977
- 2,213
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Xterra 70, Minelab SD 2200d, 2.5", 3", 4"and several Keene 5" production dredges, Knelson Centrifuge, Gold screw automatic panner
- Primary Interest:
- Prospecting
The area where I dredge has a LOT of mercury. Almost all the gold is coated and it's not uncommon to find puddles of HG in the sluice. To remove the HG from the gold I use a nitric acid bath to dissolve it. This works well but the gold left behind is always dull and low lustre.
Nitric alone should not etch the gold. I have a theory that the mercury, after being in contact with the gold for many many years, actually begins to soak into the surface of the gold. Then when its removed, the surface of the gold is left rough and dull.
Regardless of why it happens, the gold is dull and unattractive after removing the HG. Soaking in vinegar and salt doesn't seem to help and the only way I have found to brighten and shine to gold is to tumble it with mild abrasive....time consuming
What is going on and how do I fix it?
Nitric alone should not etch the gold. I have a theory that the mercury, after being in contact with the gold for many many years, actually begins to soak into the surface of the gold. Then when its removed, the surface of the gold is left rough and dull.
Regardless of why it happens, the gold is dull and unattractive after removing the HG. Soaking in vinegar and salt doesn't seem to help and the only way I have found to brighten and shine to gold is to tumble it with mild abrasive....time consuming
What is going on and how do I fix it?
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