What Kind of Rock is this? Is that Gold or No?

[Anderson645]

This rock was actually found in our yard and once we broke it up we found this (see pics). Can anyone tell me #1 What kind of rock this is? #2 Is this unusual? and #3 Is that Gold in it or something else ie. Pyrite etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

A little background info.....We are new to the whole thing of "backyard prospecting" but thought it would be a fun little activity for us to do as a family. So we now pic up rocks we suspect may contain gold (we live in the piedmont of NC and have a lot of quartz rock) and open them to see what we may find. This rock was one we dug up in the woods behind our home to use in our sidewalk needless to say most of the rocks in our sidewalk have now been dug up for further inspection due to this new activity of "prospecting".

 

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[dozer dan]

Looks like pyrite to me

 

[ExcalSam]

If it glistens with a "rainbow" appearance - Pyrite

 

[galenrog]

There are several things in the mineral world that have a golden color. Pyrite is but one. In this case, it appears that the above opinions are correct. It does not exclude gold sulphides from being present, but those would present themselves through a chemical analysis (assay) not visually.

Time for more coffee.

 

[Gambrinus]

Get a piece of what looks like gold and mash it with a hammer, if it shatters into smaller pieces it is not gold.
If it just flattens and mostly stays together it is probably gold and worthy of more investigation,
like putting it in a gold pan with water and similar sized material or sand and then swirling it to see if it is heavy.
A gold pan isn't necessary a pie plate or similar device will work, but if you are going to get into prospecting whether it is in your backyard or far afield a gold pan is a must have. In my opinion.

 

[AU Seeker]

Could be..but I would suggest taking it to Carolina Prospectors. which is a gold prospecting supply store in your area, they are very experienced and could tell you for sure since it very hard for anyone to tell just from a photo and in person it's much easier to tell.

Their address and contact info is at the bottom of the webpage, along with a map.

carolinaprospectors.com

Also if you do indeed get gold fever they have everything you need to hunt for more gold!!

 

[invent4hir]

Bravo, that you find an outdoor activity to do w/ the family! What memories you'll create together.