Black sand? and host rock for Agate

[kjavanb123]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what is "black sand"? Also host rocks for Agate. Thanks

 

[Oz]

I am not a mineralogist but a lowly recreational panner. Black sand is typically magnetite or hematite, both iron compounds. There are many others such as tellurides that will act the same in your pan. The principle reason you will see references to them is due to the fact that their density is a good indication you are panning in the right area. Most PMs will be in your pan with the black sands. You should note that some areas are devoid of the black sands yet still have gold in the soils. It is however a good indicator in most of the US.

Black sands themselves can have value as they are known accumulators of gold on their surface or as a compound with iron.

 

[AurumShine]

Black sand is found in river mud .gold is heavier and not react with river water so it found in river mud shape of nugget you can separate this nugget with panning and also found shape of gold grain .you can separate this grain of gold with the help aqua regia .

 

[geonorts]

black sand are usually magnetite and hematite or tellurides and can also be rutile and illmenite, black sands can contain very small amounts of Au in their chemical comp or as a coating or inclusions and are often associated with gold when panning.

The host rock for agate is usually basalt which contains magnetite and hematite but the source of the magnetite associated with gold is different and the magnetite from basalt will most likely not have any association with gold

 

[Palladium]

I ask rick that same question a few days ago. :arrow: http://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=5588&p=48013#p48013

Rick can answer all your questions just ask him on the rock man thread.