Hello From Texas

[goldwaters]

I've been reading this forum for quite a while. Only recently got up the nerve to actually try processing a little.

I would like to first say that I ordered some items from Steve last Sunday, and they were at the nearby post office on Wednesday. I am impressed. When the items got here on Thursday I was able to process some powder I had made.

I only processed a small amount because I was afraid I'd mess up, but the advice given on this board worked for even a deadhead like me :lol:

I used a solution of muratic and clorox to dissolve the gold, then after a few days I dropped the gold with stump out. I also mixed up a testing solution per the method described here. I kept adding stump out until the test quit showing purple colors.

I went through the washing process I had picked up on this board, dried the powder, then melted. I am ecstatic with the results. I will try to post pictures of the results. I could not get a clear picture of the weight and the gold at the same time, so that is why I have two pictures. Sorry for the poor quality. I don't know why I got two very small beads along with the bigger one. I am assuming I had too much pressure on my torch. I was glad to get them anyway.

I am also posting a picture of my test cloth, to show that I did follow Harold's advice to test, test, test.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Smack]

Good job. You had a hard time with the melt because of the small amount of gold. The next powder you go to melt, throw what you have in with the powder, not after you heat and melt the powder but before.

 

[goldwaters]

Thanks Smack. I appreciate the input. I'm leaning towards saving the little beads for posterity. Kinda like framing the first dollar you ever made or something. I will jot in my notebook your advice though, because this probably won't be the last time I encounter this.

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain what happened.

 

[nickvc]

Goldwaters excellent job, well done and welcome to the forum.
If only all newbies would emulate your example and read and study before trying processes they don't understand and have no clue as to the outcome, and I'm especially impressed you understand the need for testing.
I agree keep your first buttons as a reminder of that first successful refining, hopefully you will have much larger ones, but those are the first.

 

[Oz]

Keeping a notebook of what you do including testing for values will put you far ahead of those that do not see the value of doing so.
Welcome!