How to remove gold from a stone

Deposits and methods of extracting gold from stone

In this article:

• Gold in nature: where is it found?
• Stones and gold

Aurum is a metal that has not left anyone indifferent for several thousand years in a row, all thanks to its beauty, exclusivity and difficulty in mining. Over the years, methods for extracting this metal have been improved, making it easier to find and extract gold from its deposits. Many people are interested in the types of aurum deposits, as well as what constitutes gold in the stone.

Gold in nature: where is it found?

Conventionally, the types of aurum deposits are divided into 2 types:

1. Indigenous: associated with magmatic processes, since the Earth's magma is rich in gold. As a result of volcanic processes, it breaks out and spreads over the surface of the earth, after which the process of cooling follows. Since magma contains many different chemical elements, it cools very slowly. For example, refractory substances solidify first, and salt solutions containing aurum last. Often gold alloys formed in nature contain silver, copper, platinum and other impurities. Rock containing aurum in sufficient quantities is called gold ore, which can contain several hundred different chemical elements.
2. Placer: they are classified as secondary deposits of aurum. The reason for the formation of alluvial gold deposits is that gold ore is influenced by external factors - wind, precipitation, microorganisms, etc. In this case, aurum particles move with the flow of water, which erodes and turns the rock into grains or dust. Due to its high density, precious metal particles settle at the bottom of mountain rivers, while less dense components are carried further by the water flow.

Gold in stone

Stones and gold

Before considering how gold is extracted from stones, you should find out what type of aurum is. The type of metal is determined by its phase state. Aurum can be pure, or also presented in the form of an alloy with quartz, silver, pyrite, galena, adularia, and platinum group metals (these are satellites of gold). If metal is embedded in quartz, it will appear as a shiny grain or a shining vein.

As for placer gold, it can be found in the waters, as well as in the silt of mountain rivers. Pure gold scattering looks like gold sand with grains of sand in the form of hooks and wires. By the way, placer gold resembles pyrite in its appearance, so inexperienced miners often confuse aurum with pyrite. What does gold look like? Unlike pyrite, its grains of sand do not have a characteristic gray tint.

Pyrite

Many people who are interested in the process of artisanal mining of precious metals have probably often encountered a situation where a fragment of rock (stone) was found that contained something resembling aurum. Metal is indeed extracted from stones, but in this case one must be sure that one is actually dealing with aurum, and not with metals that have a similar appearance.

It is not difficult to check the authenticity of a precious metal in a stone - you can arm yourself with a magnifying glass and a thin needle, and then you should try to scratch the discovered grains that resemble aurum. If it is gold, then it will have the same scratches as any other metal.

If you have to deal with pyrite, it will crumble when exposed to a needle. In this case, mica will also crumble and form flakes. To make sure that the aurum found is not pyrite or chalcopyrite, you can place a stone with gold inclusions in sulfuric acid.

A genuine precious metal will not show any reaction, while pyrite and chalcopyrite will darken.

Many aurum seekers wonder how to get gold from stone, for example, from granite and other formations. Gold refining will be a process of step-by-step purification of the precious metal from impurities. This procedure involves chemical and physical treatment of the stone, as well as concentration, to obtain pure aurum.

Gold is extracted from stones by refining in the following ways:

1. Chemical (also called wet): involves the use of aggressive acids that dissolve most types of impurities with which aurum is found in natural conditions.
2. Dry: to implement this method of aurum extraction, you will need chlorine. The stone itself should be crushed as much as possible, preferably into powder, after which chlorine should be introduced into it in a gaseous state. After this, all elements, with the exception of aurum, will turn into highly volatile chlorides. This method requires strict adherence to safety precautions and extensive experience in conducting chemical experiments! It is strongly not recommended to mine gold from stones at home in this way.
3. Electrolysis method: this method of extracting precious metals from stones is the most popular. To carry out electrolysis, take a transparent container and fill it with hydrochloric acid and gold chloride. Then the bath is connected to a power source, which starts the process of deposition of pure aurum.

It is worth knowing that the sale of illegally mined gold in the Russian Federation is prosecuted by law. If a prospector does not want to have any problems with the law, then it is recommended that he obtain a state license for gold mining.

Source: https://HochuZoloto.com/dobycha/zoloto-v-kamne.html

How to properly clean gold with stones without damaging the jewelry

Due to the presence of additional components in the alloy, gold changes color over time (mostly turns black). You can restore the original shine of the metal using both home and specialized products. However, the presence of precious (or semi-precious) stones complicates the process.

Jewelry with such inclusions, in particular, should not be boiled. Therefore, in order to clean gold with stones, it is necessary to take into account several factors: features of fasteners, type of “insert” and others.

To clean gold earrings with stones or other similar jewelry, you should consider the following recommendations:

• dirt mainly accumulates in places where stones are attached;
• needles and other sharp objects are prohibited from being used when cleaning gold and stones;
• if the stones are attached with glue, the jewelry should not be soaked in water;
• When using a mechanical cleaning method, do not press too hard on the metal.

When choosing how to clean gold at home, it is also recommended to consider the type of stone (hard or soft). This information can be clarified when purchasing jewelry.

How to clean gold with stones.

What to consider when cleaning gold with hard stones

Hard stones tolerate chemical and mechanical stress well. In addition, before the first cleaning procedure, it is recommended, as mentioned above, to pay attention to the type of attachment of the stone to the gold.

What to consider when cleaning gold with soft stones

Gold rings, earrings and bracelets with soft stones require careful handling. Therefore, when choosing a cleaning method, you need to consider the following:

1. A soap solution without adding water helps to clean pearls.
2. For malachite, it is recommended to purchase specialized napkins with impregnation suitable for this stone.
3. It is allowed to treat the coil with a soap solution. After the procedure, the material must be wiped with a soft cloth.
4. To clean turquoise, only specialized products are allowed to be used. The stone darkens with prolonged contact with water.
5. Amber can be cleaned using felt or cotton swabs.
6. Coral and opal are washed with a damp cloth.

Amber Turquoise Pearl Coral Malachite Serpentine

Cleaning gold jewelry with soft stones using acids or ammonia is prohibited.

Preparing jewelry for cleaning

To clean gold jewelry with stones, you will need:

• take a deep container (made of plastic or glass) that does not oxidize;
• completely immerse the jewelry in the cleaning solution;
• rinse under running water, dry and wipe with a soft cloth at the end of the procedure.

No special preparation of the jewelry is required for processing. But if the dirt is old (and the stone “allows” this), then the product must be placed in a soap solution for an hour.

How to clean gold with stones using home methods

Difficulties in cleaning gold jewelry with stones arise not only due to the presence of such “impregnations”, but also due to the design features of the product. To remove blackness from earrings, you will first need to process the clasps, and then the “inserts”. Long soaking helps get rid of plaque from the chain. This step cannot be avoided, since this product consists of many links in which dirt accumulates.

Similar recommendations can be applied when cleaning a ring with a stone. When processing this decoration you will need a thin cotton swab.

An easy way to remove dirt from hard-to-reach places

The following recipe helps to clean a gold chain decorated with precious stones:

1. Foil is placed in the container, with a chain on top.
2. A glass of water is poured into a container, heated and mixed with a tablespoon of soda.
3. The gold is boiled in this mixture for several minutes and then rubbed with a brush.

Soda solution should not be used to clean jewelry with many hard-to-reach places.

At the end of the procedure, it is necessary to rinse the chain under running water for a minute. If this is not done, the soda will leave behind a whitish residue.

A simple way to remove blackness

To get rid of blackness and make the jewelry shine, you will need:

1. Mix 0.5 tsp. ammonia, 1 tsp. shampoo and 250 ml of water.
2. Place the product in the solution and let it sit until the dirt comes off.
3. Rinse any remaining dirt under running water and wipe with a soft cloth.

Ammonia solution copes well with contaminants accumulated in hard-to-reach places. This product is suitable for restoring earrings and rings.

If traces of dirt remain after the procedure, then the gold must be soaked in a mixture of ammonia and shampoo without adding water.

An effective method for removing common stains

For regular cleaning of gold jewelry with stones, the following method is suitable:

1. In a glass of warm water you need to dilute 30 ml of a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tsp. ammonia and a few drops of liquid soap.
2. Place gold in a container with the mixture and leave for 3–5 hours.
3. Rinse the jewelry under running water.

This recipe is not suitable for products that contain soft stones.

Another effective cleaning method is hydrogen peroxide.

If the dirt is small (appeared recently), then the jewelry can be wiped with a rag soaked in the given product.

Method for regularly cleaning chains and bracelets

To clean gold chains and bracelets from traces of grease that appear during regular contact with the skin, you need to moisten a soft cloth in gasoline and wipe the contaminated areas. This procedure can be carried out every week.

Before cleaning jewelry with gasoline, it is necessary to remove all sources of open flame, and after cleaning, rinse the item under running water for several minutes.

This product leaves an unpleasant odor, which a mixture of starch and ammonia helps remove.

Cleaning with special products

Specialized cleaners are also selected taking into account the stone inserted into the gold frame. Let's look at the most effective ones:

• Adamas. Helps clean any black spots. This product, which costs 250 rubles, is not recommended for use on pearls and a number of other natural stones. The box with the cleaning solution contains a plastic mesh in which you need to place the jewelry along with the solution. Next, the product must be kept for 30 seconds and rinsed.
• Aladdin. In terms of effectiveness, Aladdin is comparable to Adamas. However, the first remedy costs about 65 rubles. The method of using this solution is the same as Adamas.
• HG Gold. This product is suitable for cleaning any gemstones. To remove dirt, simply place the jewelry in the composition for 3-5 minutes and then remove it with tweezers. If there are black marks left on the surface of the gold, the metal must be cleaned with the included brush. This product costs more than 550 rubles.

HG Gold Adamas Aladdin

How to clean stones

You can clean precious stones using both the methods described above and the solutions given below.

Gemstone Cleaning

A solution of 1 tsp helps to clean precious stones set in gold. sea ​​salt and warm water. You need to soak the jewelry in this product for 12 hours. If regular salt is used, then the jewelry must be left for a longer period.

Over time, bright traces of fat appear on pearls, which can be cleaned with potato starch. To remove dirt from stones from hard-to-reach places, it is recommended to use a cotton swab dipped in a soap solution. In other cases, it is recommended to clean the jewelry using specialized products or the services of jewelers.

Cleaning semi-precious stones

You can clean semi-precious stones using the methods described earlier. To remove dirt from opal, aquamarine and topaz, use a mixture of washing powder and water. The first can be replaced with 50 percent bleach. If after the procedure there are traces of dirt on the product, then the jewelry should be placed in a soap solution and wiped with a toothbrush.

To restore the original shine to a semi-precious stone, you should use gin. This drink does not remove stains

Additional recommendations

When processing jewelry, you should not place gold and silver in the same container. Additionally, as stated earlier, you need to consider the type of stone when choosing the right cleaner.

What not to use for cleaning

It is necessary to clean gold with stones at home, taking into account the following features:

• To clean pomegranate, it is recommended to use aqueous solutions.
• You can clean an emerald using an alcohol or water solution.
• Sapphire tolerates cleaning well using a soft brush, gasoline or alcohol-containing solutions.
• Diamond does not tolerate contact with ammonia, dishwashing detergent and hydrogen peroxide.
• Peridot can be cleaned with alcohol, in which a soft cloth should be moistened.
• Zircon tolerates almost all purification methods used for gold.
• Rubies can be cleaned with alcohol-based compounds using a soft cloth or brush.

The use of abrasives should also be avoided. If washing powder is used for cleaning, the latter must be completely dissolved before starting the procedure.

Shine products

To return the original color to a shiny gold product, use:

1. Hyposulfite. 1 tbsp. l. This substance should be diluted in a glass of water and the jewelry should be placed in the resulting mixture for 15 minutes.
2. Lipstick. Used to remove blackness.
3. Vinegar or onion. These products need to be used to wipe the gold.
4. A mixture of grated soap, crushed chalk, water and Vaseline, taken in equal proportions.

A good effect is achieved by combining GOI paste and a mixture of 1 tsp, 1 tbsp. l. liquid soap and a glass of hot water. The first is to rub the gold with the stone, and the second is to rinse. By carrying out this procedure, you can not only remove dirt, but also immediately restore its former shine.

How to save the result

Jewelry will retain its original appearance if:

• gold is stored separately from other metals in a dry and dark place;
• items with precious stones are stored in wooden boxes;
• decorations are periodically wiped with flannel rags;
• jewelry does not come into contact with salt water and household chemicals.

You can clean gold with precious stones using folk recipes. But specialized mixtures give better results.

Gold cleaning Jewelry cleaning

Source: https://you.cleaning/chistka/kak-pochistit-zoloto-s-kamnyami

Mining gold from sand at home: technology, subtleties and business risks

You can still mine gold from sand at home. The main thing is to understand that the law limits this type of activity. Private prospectors are a common sight in places where the river bottom consists not only of rocks and silt, but also of golden sand.

Legal aspects of independent gold mining

Land resources can only be extracted under state control. The law requires that every miner register and pay taxes. Therefore, the extraction of precious metals is a licensed activity. Before production begins, it is necessary to register an individual entrepreneur or LLC and obtain a license and patent.

It is important to know! It doesn't matter where the river flows. Even if it is a stream in the yard of a private house, natural resources belong to the state, and they can only be extracted with special permission.

The main condition is that mined precious metals can only be sold to the state. The price is set by him, not by the miner. There is no need to count on excess profits, especially since gold ore requires additional processing. Impurities need to be removed, purified, and in some cases activated. When extracting technical gold from sand at home, you need to take into account that we are talking about raw materials that are inexpensive.

Cost of gold mining from sand

It all depends on where the work is done. When choosing a site for development, it is important not to end up on land occupied by large corporations. As a result, a scandal will break out, then there will be a trial, and you will have to suffer losses. But if the site is not occupied, you can use any method of amateur gold mining.

You should not expect huge profits if there is no gold mine nearby. So, in the Moscow region, having processed 1 cubic meter. meter of rock, you can get 0.2-0.6 grams. At current prices, the state will accept it for a couple of hundred rubles, and it will take two days to work. This is the case if manual gold mining technologies are used.

Profitability calculation

The use of technical means simplifies the process, but leads to additional costs. Therefore, before starting work, it is necessary to evaluate:

1. Opportunity to obtain gold from sand in a selected area.
2. gold-bearing rocks in the ground and the quality of the precious metal.
3. The price set by the government at the current moment in time.
4. The ability to use modern technologies, their cost and operating costs.
5. The ratio of expenses and possible profit. The profitability point is determined.

The last point is decisive. Sum up all current costs. Dividing it by the price of gold determines the amount of precious metal that must be mined daily. Taking into account the percentage of gold-bearing inclusions in the soil, the amount of rock that will have to be processed is determined.

If the productivity of the equipment allows you to wash more, the idea makes sense and the enterprise will be profitable. Otherwise, you need to use different technology and other methods. It is quite possible that the tray will become the only profitable way to get gold from sand at home.

How to obtain a mining permit

It is immediately necessary to make a reservation that the cost of the license must be included in the volume of the initial investment. The permit is valid for five years. After the five-year period has expired, the license must be renewed. The cost of licensing depends on the type of permit and the conditions that the document implies.

Specialized legal bureaus provide assistance with registration. This is the simplest way, but it involves payment of a reward. Collecting documents, submitting an application, going through the authorities, right up to obtaining a license, is undertaken by specialists. The principal can only wait for the procedure to be completed. However, the license price varies:

• Mining gold from sand at home. Gold placer will cost less - from 10,000 to 100,000 rubles.
• Development of gold ore deposits. Professional activity on an industrial scale costs from 15,000 to 200,000, but now it’s dollars.

It is important to know! The amount of the state fee for the initial registration of a permit is 7,500 rubles. The extension will cost 10 times less - 750 rubles.

The Ministry of Nature organizes a competition, which is held in the manner of a tender. Participants submit applications indicating the cost of the proposal. The best one in the auction wins. The permit requires the indication of a specific site for the industrial development of precious metals. But this is for large enterprises.

Important to remember! Since 2016, a commercial entity with the status of a legal entity or individual entrepreneur can obtain a license. Previously, permits were issued only to legal entities. Now any private entrepreneur can engage in development.

Where is the best place to mine gold?

Golden sand is obtained by washing out grains from rock. Therefore, there is more of it in the rivers that flow past the deposit. Most often these are mountain rivers with an average flow, sufficient to wash silt out of the tray. With the industrial approach, geological exploration is carried out. True, it is expensive.

You can contact residents of surrounding communities for help. Even if they don't point to the location, at least it will be clear whether the desired metal is there as such. Checking for availability is carried out in several stages as you move upstream. Even if someone had worked before, this does not mean that the gold particles were not deposited again by the current.

Fresh ideas for starting a business in Dagestan

Instructions for Beginners

As additional manual equipment, a sieve placed on a tray is used. It will separate large stones from small particles. In addition, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

• It makes sense to choose a place where a tree has fallen into the water or large stones are visible from it.
• The optimal depth of the river is 15 cm. If you get closer to the shore, silt and debris will become a problem. Move further away and it becomes more difficult to work.
• You need to look in the upper layer of bottom rocks. At a depth of up to 10 cm there are small grains. From 10 to 30 cm – small nuggets. More – 30 large specimens.

Important to remember! You can make a mistake when washing. Mica interferes with its shine. Pyrite is a mineral that looks like gold-bearing sand grains.

Do not assume that the work is seasonal. In winter, it becomes even easier to do. You can travel over rough terrain on skis. It is in frozen water that the current transports particles. Panning is the easiest and most inexpensive way to extract gold from sand at home. The entire list of methods is divided into types.

Extraction technologies

In addition to manual tray washing, there are other methods that are also successfully used in practice. And it's not just about diligence. If the romance of untouched nature is not enough, and you want to earn more, you can use the following methodology:

• Amalgamation . Production is expected. Mercury is used as an active reagent. The danger is that its vapors can cause irreparable harm to health. The state carefully monitors such productions.
• Cyanidation . A chemical reaction is also assumed to occur. In this case, hydrocyanic acid is used, which dissolves the precious metal. Compounds are created that are subsequently processed.

These are not the most expensive methods. Mining development is more expensive, but if the location is chosen correctly, this business can bring in millions. And the listed methods will also require start-up investments.

Important feature! You need laboratory equipment, a room with good ventilation, devices that capture harmful gases, etc. Supervisory authorities often work at such production facilities. Environmentalists, labor safety inspectors, tax officials, etc. come to carry out inspections.

Therefore, when extracting gold from sand, miners most often use trays.

Romance or earnings

Prospectors are divided into two categories. Some people need vivid impressions, privacy, excitement, and earnings come in the background. Others live by it. Naturally, both of them dream of finding the biggest nugget. And such cases do happen. It is important to know how to search correctly. You immediately need to determine what the earner wants:

1. Sand deposits . Sieves are used, washing is carried out more thoroughly, and the water pressure is set more powerfully. The upper layers of bottom sediments are washed.
2. Nuggets . Only large sieves are used, the washing is less active, so as not to wash the nugget into the river. Soil lying at a depth of more than 0.3 meters is subject to washing.

The difficulty is that manually selecting bottom soil to a depth of 30 cm to 1 meter is physically difficult. One tray is not enough. You need a tool that allows you to scoop up rock. Pumping equipment and mechanization are used, which also costs money.

Illegal mining: what threatens “black” miners

The legislation provides for two types of liability if gold is mined illegally. The Administrative Code provides for a fine of 3 to 5 thousand rubles. Equipment will not be confiscated. But this is only if the volume of precious metal mined has a cost of less than 1,000,000 rubles. Otherwise, the Criminal Code comes into force, since the amount is especially large. But criminal structures and competitors pose a greater danger to illegal immigrants working illegally.

Practice has shown that they, without a twinge of conscience, hand over “their brother” to law enforcement agencies. They do not receive any profit. But they take away the equipment, space, etc. There are many cases where people were killed in remote parts of the country. There is a place for racketeering in this area. The fact is that a “black miner” cannot contact the police, since he himself works illegally.

Risks and prospects of home gold mining

When mining gold at home legally, you have to buy specialized equipment. These are pumps, sieves, gutters, etc. If we are talking about processing, then you will need reagents, laboratory equipment and furniture. Not every businessman is able to recoup his expenses.

There are risks, as in any business. However, interest in mining activities has not waned for centuries. The reason lies in the fact that this metal has never fallen in price. Minor fluctuations in the precious metals market occur, but the cost per gram becomes higher and higher as a result. No inflation is scary. This is the main difference between gold reserves and foreign exchange reserves.

Training video: instructions for extracting gold from sand using cardboard

Source: https://E-tiketka.ru/dobycha-zolota-iz-peska-v-domashnix-usloviyax/

How to clean gold with stones at home: recommendations for cleaning gold items

To maintain the beauty of jewelry, experts recommend cleaning it every 2-3 months. This will not only preserve their appearance, but also extend their service life. To carry out the procedure, you do not have to go to a jeweler - you can clean your favorite ring or earrings at home. It is important to do everything correctly so as not to scratch the metal or damage the stone inserts.

General recommendations

Before choosing methods and materials for refining gold, you should pay attention to what stones are used in the products. A diamond cannot be scratched by an abrasive, while a peridot or other soft stone, especially a cabochon cut, cannot be subjected to harsh hand polishing that would leave even a small scratch visible on the crystal.

A product with natural stone cannot be placed in hot water, much less boil it. Warm water is suitable for the procedure, into which a cleaning agent is added and the jewelry is immersed for 15 minutes, no more.

Each product requires an individual approach. The cleaning method is chosen depending on the stone used and the degree of contamination. While working, it is important to adhere to the basic rules:

• Jewelry should be cleaned using gentle methods without the use of acids or abrasives. If glue was used to fix the crystal, it is better not to immerse the product in water, but to use a special paste or soap foam.
• Places where gems are attached need thorough cleaning, especially in rings and earrings, where sebum and dust accumulate. Hard-to-reach places are cleaned using a wooden toothpick with cotton wool wrapped around it.
• Jewelry made from different metals (gold, platinum, silver) cannot be washed in the same container.
• Stones with a hardness coefficient of more than 5 points (emeralds, sapphires, etc.) are not susceptible to scratches from abrasives during manual cleaning. Semi-precious crystals can be damaged by prolonged contact with water and aggressive substances. Organic stones (amber, pearls) do not tolerate the effects of acid and alkali.

Gold-plated items require a completely different approach to care. Soft gold plating is easy to damage, so a suede cloth is used to remove dirt. Cleaning can be done using wine vinegar, beer, egg white and soap solution, but immersing the jewelry in liquid is not recommended.

What products can be used for cleaning?

The choice of cleaning agent will depend on the hardness of the natural insert.

Gold items with zircon, ruby, diamond, topaz and other hard crystals can be cleaned with the following substances:

• Ammonia is a great solution for heavy stains. A teaspoon of alcohol is added to 100 ml of warm water. Gold is immersed in the solution for 10 minutes, after which it is washed under running water.
• Gasoline removes greasy stains and helps polish your jewelry to a shine. Use a cloth soaked in liquid to polish the surface of the ring, bracelet, etc.
• Hydrogen peroxide helps remove stains and add shine to metal.
• Large gemstones are cleaned with ash. You need to burn a match, crush the ash and rub its surface.
• A mixture of Vaseline, soap shavings and chalk is ideal for removing stains. The paste should be applied to the gold and washed off after 3-4 hours.
• Toothpaste paired with a soft-bristled brush works great for tough stains.

Soft stones require special care. Aggressive substances and abrasives can affect the color and integrity of the inserts. For turquoise, coral, opal, malachite and other crystals you can use:

• Soft wipes for optics with special impregnation that prevents the formation of streaks.
• If the gold is not very dirty, it is washed in water with the addition of liquid soap. There is no need to soak it - just walk over the decoration with a soft cloth soaked in liquid.
• Dirt accumulated in hard-to-reach places is removed with a cotton swab soaked in glycerin.
• A mixture of egg white and beer in equal proportions should be applied to a flannel cloth and wiped over the gold item.
• To add shine, gold should be wiped with lipstick applied to a cotton pad. The titanium dioxide included in the composition removes darkening.
• The decoration can be peeled using an onion. It is rubbed with vegetable juice, then washed in water and thoroughly dried.

Alcohol is suitable for cleaning any jewelry, especially since it can always be found at home - instead of medical alcohol, you can use cologne or perfume. It does an excellent job of removing grease stains. The decoration must be dipped into the liquid and then blotted with a dry soft cloth, or wiped with a cloth soaked in the substance.

What should you not use for cleaning?

To clean gold, not all available means can be used. Some methods and substances can only harm your favorite earrings or pendant:

• It is not advisable to add laundry soap to the washing solution - it contains acids that can make the gold dull. It is better to use regular liquid soap.
• Do not use needles or other sharp objects to remove accumulated dirt. This will cause scratches on the crystal or metal.
• Soaking jewelry for a long time in hot water or boiling it can cause the resin used as glue to lose its properties. Small diamond or sapphire chips and inserts of coral and pearls are attached to the glue. Also, high temperature can negatively affect the crystal insert - it will crack or lose color. Sapphires, rubies, topazes and emeralds are afraid of heating.
• Vinegar and citric acid should be used with caution. These substances are suitable for cleaning products that are in good condition. If there are scratches, the item can be damaged. Peridot is afraid of acetic and citric acid.
• You cannot use soda, salt and sugar - they are only applicable as an aqueous solution. Using bulk substances paired with a brush or cloth can scratch the surface of the product.
• It is forbidden to use washing powder to clean gold with stones - it is an aggressive chemical reagent.
• Turquoise and natural pearls are among the most capricious stones in terms of care. They do not tolerate heat, high humidity, or any mechanical stress. Lemon juice eats away pearls.
• It is forbidden to use ammonia to clean soft gems - it can make the crystals cloudy.
• It is better not to use a hard toothbrush for cleaning, especially if the jewelry has a soft gemstone insert.

How to wear and store gold jewelry with stones?

To ensure that jewelry retains its appearance for a long time, it should be worn only after makeup and hair styling have been completed. When using any cosmetics, medicinal ointments and creams, as well as when washing dishes, they must be removed - some chemicals contained in lotions or preparations can cause metal oxidation.

It is also better not to wear products in the pool, gym, sauna or solarium. Sweat during workouts or when visiting a sauna, ultraviolet radiation from solarium lamps or chemicals in pool water have a negative effect on the metal, promoting its oxidation and the rapid formation of plaque.

Jewelers recommend not leaving jewelry in the sun and protecting it from sudden temperature changes. If the owner of the item wears it daily, cleaning should be done every 4-6 weeks, and polishing should be done every evening. The procedure is performed using cotton cloth or suede.

It is recommended to store gold in a special box, separate from silver and jewelry. It is better if the storage case is made of wood and upholstered in soft fabric.

You need to make sure that the jewelry box is protected from moisture. You cannot store gold in a regular box - cardboard contains sulfur, which is considered one of the strongest oxidizing agents.

Source: https://MoyKamen.com/interesnoe/kak-pochistit-zoloto-s-kamnyami.html

Gold from stone: methods of extraction and separation

People have been interested in gold mining since time immemorial. The history of this craft goes back at least six thousand years, and gold miners are one of the oldest professions. Modern technologies, along with more traditional mining methods, make it possible to effectively use previously inaccessible methods - extracting gold from stone.

Gold in nature: where it is found

Gold is found on our planet:

• in plants - some species are able to accumulate metal obtained along with nutrients from the soil;
• in the water of seas, oceans and other bodies of water - extracting a mineral from the hydrosphere is a costly and not always profitable technology;
• in stones - most of the metal mined industrially is obtained from rocks.

Gold in its pure form is very rare in nature. Due to constant exposure to the elements, sometimes gold inclusions are leached from the rock and formed into nugget ingots, as the natural alloy of this metal is called.

But more often, in order to separate pure gold from a stone, it is necessary to carefully process the mined rock.

Helpful information! Gold-bearing rocks in most cases occur among quartz formations and sulfide ores. Prospectors, having found such an accumulation of minerals, confidently judge the feasibility of developing the layers.

Searching for gold in Russia

Since ancient times, following the thirst for profit and believing in myths about rich deposits, the rulers of Rus' organized searches for gold. But, despite the vastness of the Russian State, efforts were in vain:

• Prince John III the Great invited foreign specialists to achieve this goal, investing substantial funds in resolving the issue. But all efforts were crowned with only a few peas of the coveted metal, which were not enough even for a pectoral cross;
• Tsar Ivan the Terrible, in pursuit of treasures, went to conquer the lands of distant Siberia, but also failed in his search.

In 1945, a resident of a Ural village found a large yellow ingot during excavation work. He showed the find to a master he knew, who identified it as pure gold. The Soviet authorities sent gemologists to the site where the nugget was discovered, who studied the area in detail and confirmed the presence of huge deposits of the precious metal, and soon a mine opened there. This development marked the beginning of centralized gold mining in the RSFSR.

Today, Russia ranks third, after Australia and China, in gold production. The largest locations are in the Far East and Siberia:

• Magadan region - 180 gold mining enterprises extract more than thirty tons of raw materials from the subsoil per year;
• Chukotka - more than twenty-five tons of annual production;
• Yakutia is the richest region. There are over eight hundred gold mines here, yielding more than twenty-four tons of raw materials per year;
• The Irkutsk region ranks fourth, with production volumes of more than twenty-three tons per year.

In addition to the listed regions, gold is mined in the Amur, Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk regions, the republics of Bashkiria and Buryatia, the Khabarovsk and Trans-Baikal territories.

Extracting gold from stones

Developments in new technologies make it easy to extract gold from stone. But it is impossible to determine which mineral contains gold without special research. Many rocks, at first glance, look identical to containing this precious metal, with a similar structure and color range - from red to orange. Therefore, even experienced jewelers are forced to use high technology to distinguish gold from minerals:

• pyrite;
• chalcopyrite;
• pentlandite;
• pyrophyllite;
• mica.

To recognize the presence of a gold-bearing stone in a rock, the mineral must be crushed with a hammer, assessing the result by the presence of the following signs:

• the inclusions of gold will be flattened;
• semi-precious stones and minerals will be crushed into crumbs;
• the mica will crumble into sand.

Note! Some stones that look like gold-containing ones and form flattened inclusions under mechanical stress may turn out to be without precious metal content.

Modern mining technologies

The mined ore from the quarry is delivered by dump trucks to the processing plant, where the raw materials undergo primary processing:

• sorting, depending on the percentage of metal;
• mixing batches to form a homogeneous composition according to the degree of gold presence;
• screening out large inclusions, which are separately subjected to additional grinding;
• grinding of raw materials into a dusty mass and subsequent enrichment with the addition of water, preparation of material ready for processing by flotation - saturation with air;
• introduction of chemical reagents that promote the separation of gold;
• foam is selected from the resulting composition (directly – gold suspension), thickened using special reagents;
• the next stage is squeezing out excess water in press filters;
• The dehydrated material is dried in ovens at high temperatures and crushed.

One ton of the concentrate obtained after processing contains up to fifty grams of gold.

The products of the processing plant are finally converted into precious metal after smelting at a hydrometallurgical plant.

How to extract gold from stone at home

At home, gold is extracted from stone in the following ways:

• dry, using chlorine - the name of the method is explained by the peculiarities of the technology. The stone is crushed into powder as much as possible, then chlorine gas is introduced into the composition, which binds all other minerals except gold through a chemical reaction. The technique is dangerous, requiring skill and experience from the performer;
• chemical, which involves dissolving excess mineral components with aggressive acids;
• electrolysis - hydrochloric acid and gold chloride are added to a transparent container with ground stone. An electric current is connected to the mixture, as a result of the process gold settles into a sediment.

But amateur miners who want to resort to extracting gold from stone at home must take into account that in our country, illegal mining and sale of precious metals is prosecuted by law.

Some people who want to get rich try to look for gold deposits using a detector. But such an activity is not productive and is associated with a pointless waste of time, since this tool, in addition to gold, reacts equally to many other alloys.

To succeed, you first need:

• study a topographic map of the area for possible content of this metal;
• get acquainted with the territory, determining by indirect signs the most promising area for development.

If the deposits are located at great depths, huge volumes of soil will have to be hauled up to construct the mine. When working with a metal detector, you should prepare for long and hard work, not always with a successful result.

Despite the difficulties of developing gold deposits, the number of miners is increasing from year to year. But the reality is that even the simplest methods of obtaining gold from stone are not effective without specialized equipment and modern technologies, which can only be used on an industrial scale.

Source: https://velestone.ru/ukrasheniya/zoloto-iz-kamna/

Types, extraction and characteristics of gold in stones

Gold in stone is found quite often in nature. Its particles are contained in rock veins. There are methods for determining the authenticity of a noble metal to distinguish it from decoys - iron and zinc - using iodine, scratching and a metal detector. The most common satellites of gold are granite, quartz, and diorites.

What does it look like?

Gold occurs in nature in the form of nuggets, fine-grained placers, and powder dust. It is included in the veins of stones and rocks. By law, stones found with gold inclusions are transferred to refineries.

Gold in stones can be found in mountain rivers, rocks, mountains, sand of seas and lakes, ore mixed with other minerals. It is difficult to get it from there without loss. It is also necessary to determine whether this substance is a noble metal, and not iron pyrite or zinc blende. Pyrite and other minerals, similar in their luster to yellow precious metal, crumble if they are scratched with a needle. Gold from stones does not crumble, but is scratched, like other metals.

Gold inclusions in stone

The satellites of gold sands and placers are very similar to the precious element, but they can be distinguished from each other. Often gold is accompanied by intrusive rocks formed as a result of solidification of magma - these are quartz diorites and granite, quartz. Chalcopyrites, galerites, pyrites, antimonites, sphalerites, and arsenopyrites are also considered neighbors of the precious element. It is quite difficult to obtain gold from granite; special technologies are required.

Zinc blende, or sphalerite, is a dark-colored rock (black or brown) with a characteristic shine. Occurs in the form of crystals. It scratches easily, unlike precious metal, and crumbles.

Gold is obtained from stones using different chemical methods. Lead sulfite is called galena, or lead luster. It can be broken with a hammer into cubes into which the mineral was divided using adhesive cracks.

Arsenopyrite is an arsenic sulfite that emits a garlicky odor when destroyed.

Antimony sulfite, that is, stibnite, is a rock that accompanies gold, has a luster like lead, and the color of the mineral is grayish-black. Its crystals are needle-shaped and can be included in a quartz crystal.

Limonite has a brown-orange or ocher color. This mineral, also called iron ore, is one of the most common satellites of gold. Quartz veins often contain limonite crystals. Gold is extracted from stones of the brown mineral limonite through complex processing with acids and electrolytic transformations. May contain large amounts of metal.

The iron ore mineral forms brownish-brown iron caps on sulfite bodies. Gold from stones is obtained in many cases from iron ore ore, which contains many impurities of the noble metal. This is done by gold mining enterprises accredited by the state.

Quartz and quartz diorites also contain a lot of precious metal. They accompany it in rocks; in rivers you can see gold from stone and in sand along with quartz crystals, from the veins of which gold dust scatters and can be carried along rivers. Sometimes it can settle in silt and soil, sand, on pebbles at the bottom of rivers and lakes, on the coasts of seas and even oceans. Small particles of metal are presented in the form of gold placers.

What does gold look like in quartz? There are quartz rocks of different types - coarse-grained, fine-grained, layered, banded, confluent with inclusions of another mineral - rock crystal. Quartz with inclusions of gold has a yellowish-brown color. It’s hard not to notice such a mineral.

Gold and sand are frequent companions in nature, especially at the bottom of rivers and lakes. There are several types of gold placers:

1. Alluvial - formed by breaking rocks and transporting placers along rivers.
2. Eluvial - ore bodies that are not washed away by rivers and occur in watersheds.
3. Colluvial - destroyed rocks containing gold. They occur on the slopes of mountains and the coasts of seas and lakes.

Gold from stone and sand is mined in rivers, lakes, and mountains using special equipment. Placers can be found with special metal detectors by setting the desired frequency.

There are different types of placers, which, in addition to gold, also contain other valuable rocks - wolframite, osmium and iridium impurities, cassiterite, ilmenite (titanium). Gold from stones can fall out due to a fault, forming placers of dust. Channel, spit, valley, terrace, and spoon placers contain gold and other minerals. There is no peat in river beds, in which it is impossible to find golden grains of sand. Spit placers are located on shallows and spits in the form of floating particles.

Conclusion

Gold refining from stone is carried out by special enterprises that have a license for this type of activity. Visible gold lies in rocks; ores are processed in a special way to separate the metal from other minerals and impurities of chemical elements.

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Source: https://DedPodaril.com/zoloto/dobycha/zoloto-v-kamne.html

Mining gold from stone

Modern miners, like the ancient alchemists hundreds of years ago, are still trying to extract gold from stone. This soft and pliable metal is absolutely unsuitable for household use. It is impossible to make a good knife or hammer from it. But this is a universal means of payment and material for creating elegant and expensive jewelry, an eternal bone of contention and a welcome gift.

Its tempting shine attracts like a magnet adventurers and adventurers, self-aware beauties and the richest people. How to free the shiny and plastic aurum from stone captivity?

Where to find golden treasures?

The reserves of this precious metal in nature are not endless, but the earth still shares it with humanity. Although large known deposits have long been depleted, many small ones remain where gold is difficult to find, but possible. Deposits where work was carried out during Soviet times are popular among prospectors. They are usually processed industrially, so there is a high probability of finding gold in the stone in large quantities.

There are two types of gold deposits - primary and placer. The main gold reserve is located in the bowels of the earth. It reaches the surface only as a result of volcanic eruptions.

The main source of rocks in which gold is found is solidified magma. Over time, it cracks and breaks up into individual stones. Often, in addition to metals and other chemical elements, stones contain gold in quantities that justify its extraction. The name of these wonderful stones is gold ore.

Deposits of stones with a high gold content, not discovered by miners in time, are exposed to changing weather conditions. Rain, snow, frost, and wind gradually destroy the structure of the stone and lead to the natural separation of gold particles from other chemical elements. Rain streams carry the precious metal into the beds of mountain rivers. These are the so-called alluvial deposits; it is in the floodplains of rivers that prospectors have long been panning for gold using ordinary trays.

About gold in nature

In fact, gold is found in completely different places:

• in plants - its presence in the ashes signals a gold deposit in the place where they grow;
• in sea and ocean water – production is possible, but too expensive and therefore unprofitable;
• in stones - there is gold in almost all rocks, most often its content is negligible, but sometimes there are whole placers of stones with a high content of the precious metal.

The main satellites of the precious metal are quartz rocks and sulfide ores.

The discovery of such stones signals that the search will soon be crowned with success. There is gold-containing granite; it is quite difficult to extract metal from this stone.

Gold miners know that by law, a stone containing gold must be transferred to a state-owned enterprise for refining.

Gold from stones: how to extract

However, not all that glitters is jewel. Often, a stone with veins and interspersed with aurum-like minerals is mistaken for gold ore. Even an amateur can determine whether there is gold in stones. This requires a sharp needle and a magnifying glass. Scratch the yellow spots with a needle and examine the result through a magnifying glass.

If the stone contains pyrite, chalcopyrite or mica, they will crumble like any minerals. If these are metal particles, scratches will remain on them. Place the stone in sulfuric acid for a while. It will not harm gold, but pyrite and chalcopyrite will darken.

Extracting gold from a stone is not easy; it is a complex task that requires special knowledge. Over many centuries, inventive representatives of the human race have brought gold refining to perfection. It is purified from impurities in various ways and concentrated, ultimately obtaining pure metal.

3 methods of refining - extracting aurum from stone:

1. Chemical. Based on the ability of aggressive acids to dissolve impurities found in aurum stones. The precious metal remains safe and sound.
2. Dry. It is carried out exclusively in industrial conditions and requires special safety measures. For stones, special devices are used to grind them into powder. Chlorine gas is released into a container with gold-containing dust, which converts all elements except gold into a gaseous state.
3. Electrolysis. Mix gold chloride with hydrochloric acid in a transparent container and connect it to a power source. As a result of the electrolysis process, precious metal settles to the bottom of the container.

Mining valuable metals is an exciting business that brings not only gambling pleasure, but also considerable profit. To avoid conflict with the law, purchase a special license before starting your search.

Source: http://lombardyinfo.ru/stati/zoloto-iz-kamnya.html

How to extract gold from stone: what rocks contain it, how to extract it | mk-soyuz.rf

For centuries, gold was considered the most valuable noble metal, which played a key role in a wide variety of areas of human activity.

But if in ancient times there were no specific methods for extracting this material, in addition to developing mines, then today things are much better and it is possible to extract a certain amount of gold from stone.

Modern science knows which stones contain gold, so there are practically no difficulties with its extraction. Particles of precious metal are present in the veins of various rocks, and advanced technologies make it possible to determine their authenticity, as well as distinguish them from other, worthless materials.

In nature, gold can be found in the following forms:

• Nuggets.
• Fine-grained placers.
• Powder dust.

It is found in veins of stones and rocks, which are located in mountain rivers, among rocks and mountains, in sea sand, and also together with other minerals. Knowing which stones contain gold, you can remove it without much difficulty. The extraction of precious metal occurs through refining.

Before you start extracting it, you need to make sure that it is really a precious metal and not iron pyrite or zinc. Many minerals resemble yellow treasure with their characteristic shine, but they crumble very quickly under mechanical stress. As for gold-containing stones, they only scratch.

Fake gold sands and placers may look identical to pure gold, but they differ from it in a number of properties. The satellites of gold are intrusive rocks that were formed due to the solidification of magma.

Among them:

• Quartz diorites.
• Granite.
• Quartz.

The closest neighbors of the yellow metal are galerites, pyrites, stibnites, arsenopyrites and other similar minerals. Removing a valuable find from granite is incredibly difficult; this requires complex installations and professional equipment.

When figuring out how to extract gold from stone at home, you need to understand that mining methods may differ depending on its composition and other features. To accomplish this task, a lot of chemical methods are used. When processing lead sulfite, a mechanical action is carried out, which allows you to break the stone into small cubes, and then get the desired find from there.

Quartz diorites and quartz also have an impressive content of precious metal. They can be found in rocks, rivers and rocks, as well as in sea sand and on the pebbles of the bottom of various natural bodies of water. Tiny metal particles look like gold deposits.

Search for gold

How to find rock that may contain valuable yellow metal is not difficult to understand. The gold mining industry is developing in several countries where natural deposits of this rock are located. Among them:

• China, which ranks first in terms of gold mining volumes.
• Australia.
• Russian Federation.
• USA.
• Canada.
• SOUTH AFRICA.
• And some other countries where gold mining is carried out on a smaller scale.

Russia is in third place on the list, behind China and Australia in terms of precious metal production. Several deposits were found on the territory of the state, 95% of which are located in the regions of the Far East, in the Amur, Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk regions, as well as in Chukotka. Gold is also mined in Buryatia, Transbaikalia, Khabarovsk and Krasnoyarsk territories. The latter region is considered the leader in terms of volumes of precious metal extraction from the ground.

Identification of deposits in nature

In the era of free access to any information, it is not difficult to understand how to identify gold in a stone. But before that, you need to consider the list of the most promising places where such a metal is likely to be present.

Theoretically, particles of gold can be present in a wide variety of stones, but their quantity is so minute that it is not of particular value.

If you want to engage in more serious mining, you need to count on luck and follow the principles of identifying deposits.

A small amount of the precious metal is found in sea water . Experts say that if all gold reserves are removed from the waters of the World Ocean, their quantity will reach 10 billion tons. The figure looks shocking, but modern science does not know any methods for extracting metal from the hydrosphere.

In its pure form, gold is extremely rare, especially when it comes to stones containing this noble metal. In most cases, yellow treasure is found along with various impurities that need careful processing.

It is possible to find pure material in large quantities in quartz formations. Such formations are constantly exposed to wind and rain, which causes their destruction.

As a result of this process, a single piece of gold nugget is formed.

Natural reserves of gold are also contained in the following deposits:

• Eluvial.
• Residual.
• Bottom.
• Terraced.

Residual deposits are observed near the vein itself, which was under physical or chemical influence. The eluvial type is found directly at the foot of the mountains.

Terrace deposits can be identified at the bottom of reservoirs, usually rivers, which erode the earth, forming an additional bottom. The old bottom layer turns out to be above ground level, which makes it look like a kind of terrace. And the older this terrace, the higher the likelihood of successfully identifying a large number of valuable reserves. Sediments end up at the bottom through precipitation, and under the influence of rain and currents they are washed ashore.

Extraction methods

One of the oldest, but also the most dangerous methods for extracting gold from stones is amalgamation. Today, the technique is officially prohibited in the Russian Federation, but continues to be in demand in other countries, as well as among “black” miners. To extract the precious metal, mercury is used, which is placed in a plastic or glass tray with existing sand and the smallest fractions of the yellow treasure.

It is known that mercury is not able to dissolve gold, but can draw it into its balls. To speed up the process, the gold miner regularly turns the tray, allowing the substance to roll completely over its entire surface.

Mercury beads combined with gold are called amalgam . After separating such a mixture from the sand, it is additionally treated with hydrochloric acid, which promotes the dissolution of mercury, but has no effect on gold.

The method of evaporating toxic mercury under the influence of fire is also practiced. Similar manipulations were carried out directly in the frying pan. Once in the acid, the gold settles to the bottom in the form of flakes, after which it is subjected to deep washing.

If you want to preserve mercury for further operations, a piece of foil is lowered into the acid. Thus, mercury precipitates.

The next method of gold extraction, known since ancient times, is panning. Unlike the previous method, washing is considered completely safe for the body and does not harm the environment. The method is based on the special properties of the precious metal, namely its high density. Flushing is relevant for both industrial and private mining. It also continues to be practiced in placer deposits.

The technological process itself consists of washing the sand with water, as a result of which the light fractions are quickly removed, while the heavy fractions remain at the bottom. The disadvantage of this technique is that too small particles are washed out by water, which significantly reduces production productivity. When wondering whether it is possible to engage in private gold mining in this way, you need to pay attention to the relevant law. It involves the purchase of a prospector's license valid for up to five years.

Home techniques

Industrial gold mining differs significantly from private gold mining, and the methods used have many advantages. If you know how to identify gold in a stone, you can successfully remove it from there using the most primitive methods.

And you don’t have to go to distant Siberia in search of abandoned mines. You can implement the idea of ​​withdrawing precious metals at home. Back in the days of the Soviet Union, skilled craftsmen extracted it from old watches and other yellow metal products.

In the recent past, gold plating was present on many radio components and household appliances, which was justified by its practicality and resistance to corrosion. Without a doubt, the percentage of gold content in such objects is negligible, but in the rock it is not that high.

If you want to get the precious yellow material at home, just take an old wristwatch and then fill it with nitric acid in glass or plastic containers. The substance will quickly dissolve any materials except gold. The resulting solution must be carefully passed through several layers of gauze, and the seized gold must be infused in vodka for 24 hours. This will result in a brownish tint.

In the future, it is necessary to rinse the composition with plain water, filter again and put on low heat to melt. To improve the efficiency of the latter process, soda is added to the gold. We must not forget about the ability of the yellow metal to evaporate, but through melting it is cleared of excess impurities and becomes like a tiny ingot.

Gold can also be extracted from radio components , in which it was used back in the Soviet Union due to its inertness and minimal electrical conductivity. To implement such an idea, you need to use “regia vodka”, which consists of nitric and hydrochloric acid.

Such a substance can dissolve gold at room temperature. By the way, there are historical facts about the dissolution of gold medals in order to hide them from the fascist military.

Under the influence of aqua regia, gold precipitates, after which it is thoroughly filtered and washed.

Historical facts

If you familiarize yourself with historical facts, you will know that during the times of Ancient Rus', the state had practically no gold deposits, despite its vast area. Prince Ivan III devoted a significant part of his life to the issue of searching for precious metals, because...

was almost obsessed with the idea of ​​finding treasures. To realize his dream, he even invited Italian specialists and allocated impressive sums.

But the efforts were not justified; he managed to find only a small piece of gold, which was only enough to make a tiny cross.

After him, Ivan the Terrible began to actively search for yellow sand. To find the valuable metal, he even went to war against the Siberian settlements, but was also doomed to failure. A similar story happened with the rest of the rulers of Ancient Rus', until a turning point in the history of the state occurred. This was the rise to power of Peter I. The legendary ruler began to actively introduce clothing items and jewelry containing precious metals and valuable stones.

The first gold nugget was mined by a Ural peasant in 1945. This happened spontaneously while digging a hole. The happy owner of the precious stone immediately showed the find to a friend, who turned out to be a silversmith and confirmed the authenticity of the nugget.

The place where the find was discovered immediately attracted the attention of specialists, which led to the start of numerous search operations. However, they were unable to find anything, so work was suspended. Soon the authorities decided to resume the search and equip the mine. This decision paid off. At the bottom of the dug mine there was an impressive amount of gold reserves, which became the basis for large-scale gold mining.

Since ancient times, people have been interested in the idea of ​​mining gold at home. Today, this trend is no less popular, only the methods of its implementation have changed significantly. Of course, you won’t be able to get rich through private gold mining, but finding a new hobby, as well as a little extra income, is quite possible.

Source: https://xn----ntbhhmr6g.xn--p1ai/dragmetallyi/kak-dobyit-zoloto-iz-kamnya-v-domashnih-usloviyah

Gold from stone: what rocks contain it, how to get it, methods of refining at home

Hello dear readers. Did you know that gold ore is scattered all over the world and is very common in rocks. You can meet it simply by walking along the rocky spurs. In this article we will talk not only about where you can find precious metal, but also about how to recognize and extract gold from a stone.

Where can you find noble metal in nature?

Gold (Au), although a fairly rare metal, is found everywhere. For example, precious ore in stone can be found in both rocks and sea sand. Most of these deposits are divided into two main types:

Primary deposits

Indigenous deposits are those in which gold-bearing minerals are formed in places where the earth's crust breaks. Magma erupts to the surface, cools and forms rocks. In such rocks, the precious metal is practically never found in its pure form.

As a rule, particles of precious metal are present in salt solutions, which, when solidified, form fossilized rocks. Therefore, natural gold alloys in primary deposits contain elements such as:

Sulfides of this metal and other types of oxides obtained at high temperatures in the bowels of the earth are quite common.

Modern industry knows rocks containing up to several hundred different impurities. Only a mine in which the mass fraction of gold is at least 1 gram per ton (for primary deposits) is considered suitable for development.

Alluvial

Placer deposits are also called secondary deposits. This is due to the fact that gold placers are formed as a result of rock erosion. Under the influence of rain, groundwater, snow melting, wind and other factors, the rock is destroyed. Water flows move smaller particles to new places.

More often, placers are found in the beds of mountain rivers. The larger the broken rock fragments, the higher along the riverbed they settle. Stones containing precious metal are usually found closer to the source. Smaller and lighter particles flow further with the flow of water, settling at the bottom of mountain lakes.

When developing alluvial deposits, the mass fraction of gold in the ore should not be lower than 0.5 grams per cubic meter.

In total, three types of placers can be distinguished:

1. Alluvial. After the stone is broken, gold particles are carried by river waters.
2. Eluvial. Ore, not washed away by water flows, is found in watershed areas.
3. Deluvial. Rock formations that have been eroded. Aurum occurs in the upper layers of mountain slopes, as well as along the coastlines of lakes and seas.

What does gold look like in stone?

It is quite difficult for an inexperienced prospector to distinguish the precious metal in a stone. Gold is rarely found in its pure form, and numerous alloys vary in color and degree of luster. In addition, some types of stone have a characteristic shine and can easily be confused with precious ore.

For example, sphalerite or, as it is also called, zinc blende. This is a dark (black or dark brown) color stone with a metallic sheen. Unlike gold-bearing rock, sphalerite crystals are easily scratched and crumble.

A video will help you understand what gold ore looks like. Also in our video you will learn about the main distinctive qualities of precious ore. And get a visual guide to the types of stones containing Au.

What rocks contain gold?

In most cases, aurum is found in intrusive massifs. These rocks were formed during the release of magmatic mass to the surface of the Earth. In addition to the precious metal, they contain copper, nickel, titanium, chromium, platinum group metals and other elements.

Quartz crystal is the main supplier of the precious metal. In addition, gold ore is found in quartz diorites and iron ore caps. The close occurrence of the noble metal is indicated by such rocks as pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galerite, stibnite and some others.

You can also find small nuggets in the sand of mountain lakes. In this case, the gold particles resemble granules or look like small pieces of wire.

Based on its external characteristics, gold ore in placers is very easy to confuse with pyrite. There are two ways to determine whether a found placer belongs to a precious metal:

1. Physical. The easiest way is to scratch the surface of the nugget with a thin needle. Pyrite or mica, unlike gold, quickly crumbles under mechanical stress, which can be seen through a magnifying glass.
2. Chemical. If mining occurs in the field, it is not possible to conduct a thorough analysis; it is enough to place the found granule in a beaker with sulfuric acid. If you have a noble metal in front of you, no reaction will follow.

The precious element is found in granite no less often than in quartz, but according to the principle of extraction, this is the most complex and labor-intensive process. Special equipment and technologies are required.

Methods for extracting gold from stones

Once the presence of gold impurities in the ore is determined, the raw materials are sent to refineries. Here the ore is processed in various ways, purifying it from all kinds of impurities.

However, in Russia, for the exploration and further processing of ore, it is necessary to purchase special licenses. Otherwise, gold mining and processing will be prosecuted by law. Only licensed refineries have the right to put a sample on the received bars, which is the only confirmation of the authenticity of the precious metal.

In addition, it is quite difficult to obtain pure metal from stone. People have been working on extracting aurum from stone for centuries. And today refining has reached the peak of its capabilities.

There are three options for ore processing, but they all require special training and professional equipment.

Chemical method

In this case, ore processing involves the supply of aggressive acids. Depending on the composition of the alloys, chemists select the necessary acid, which, acting on the ore, dissolves base metals and other impurities. The noble metal remains intact and falls out in the form of sediment.

Dry method

The most labor-intensive method, requiring compliance with increased personnel safety measures.

In order to obtain noble metal using the dry method, you will need special equipment in which rocks are crushed into dust. Next, the gold-bearing dust is attacked by chlorine under high pressure. As a result, the stone dust turns into a gaseous state and makes it possible to extract gold particles untouched by chlorine.

Electrolysis method

Today, depending on the type of ore obtained and its composition, all three methods of gold extraction are used. However, the electrolysis method is gaining increasing popularity. It consists of passing a current through ore mixed with hydrochloric acid. As a result of the reaction, aurum particles precipitate.