I came across a video describing the specific gravity test. I was elated because now I had a way to determine if there was gold present in any of my rocks. I selected 15 of the rocks I've collected over the years. The specific gravity test,indicated there was gold in the rocks. But how was I to get it out?
I had not learned of leaching gold to solution, nor of precipitating it back to a solid. My intention was to learn how to eat away at the rock, and to turn the rock into a solution or gas, and thought the gold would not be effected and be the only thing remaining.
I turned to the internet for what to do. I learned I should make AR and put my rocks into it. I made my first attempt at making AR this past week. I followed the recipe to made poor man's AR using peroxide, white vinegar, toilet bowl cleaner and fertilizer.
I warmed the peroxide and vinegar separately in glass jars. I placed each in a pan of water on medium to low heat. I was attempting to increase the strength from 3% and 5%; respectively, via evaporation. I used a 1 to 1 ratio for these and a 4 to 1 ratio, approximately, for the combined cleaner and fertilizer.
I was surprised, there did not seem to be a reaction. I steered the solution and then decided to leave it for a couple days to give it time to work.
In the meantime, I started watching as many Utube videos, as I could. I realized there was more I had to do. The gold was not going to start appearing as the rock desolved. It became apparent that my idea of how it was going to work was wrong. I learned that the gold turned from solid to a solution with the AR.
I was already halfway there. I needed to get SMB for the final step. I found a pool store with a sodium neutralizer. I decided to try that while my online order for SMB was on its way.
I fitered the solution. I then mixed the Sodium with water trying to get it to desolve. Some were still floating around and I decided to put it in anyway . I added it little by little, until a good reaction was evident.
One other thing I did do that may have been where I went wrong, was adding table salt a long with more sodium bicarbonate. I was seeing only a mild reaction and didn't have test strips to check for PH levels. I believe the PH to precipitate should be between 5-6. I left it for overnight.
The next day after seeing a lot of white combined with yellowish/orange substance, I wasn't sure what to do. I started to filter it but there was just too much foamy stuff and mud,. I decided to drain as much of the liquid off as I could. I then left it over night to further process.
I went back to Utube for direction. Geo mentioned it may help to warm the solution. I heated the muddy solution for a few hours then let it sit for another 24 hrs.
About 8 hrs ago I put a stainless steel knife in it because I read it will draw out any copper that may be contaminating it.
Thankfully, I came across your forum this afternoon. The pictures I've included are: picture1) what the solution mud looks like now. Picture2) I collected some of the dried material off the funnels and coffee filters and put in a small jar. Picture 3) a picture of some of the material in the jar.
All the white stuff appears to be gone.
I don't know what I've done, what I've got, or what to do next. Any guidance will be very appreciated. Thank you
Lastly, I wanted to share my understanding of what some of the things are, that I need to do, during the process, going forward. My purpose is to get your feedback on what "I think" I should do...in case I'm wrong on any of it, before my second attempt at trying to precipitate the gold.
Now, I understand I should have bought pure SMB or Stump remover for the drop, sulfamic Acid to test for Nitric levels via grout cleaner, and a staneous to test for presence of gold or other metals. Also, if I'm understanding correctly, I should include additional steps to illuminate copper, silver, ECT with washing in between with Nitric Acid.
After the washings, I believe the solution should be clear, not cloudy. I'm uncertain if the solution should be yellow, orange or green and then to only turn Brown during precipitation.
I'm also unclear as to if I should or should not be desolving the SMB with warm water prior to putting it in solution.
Some instructions recommended putting ice cubes in the solution to keep the heat level down.
I am doing my best at following safety concerns with wearing gloves, a mask, ventilation outdoors, and not to mix anything together until I've researched and know its potential dangers with precautions to take.
I had not learned of leaching gold to solution, nor of precipitating it back to a solid. My intention was to learn how to eat away at the rock, and to turn the rock into a solution or gas, and thought the gold would not be effected and be the only thing remaining.
I turned to the internet for what to do. I learned I should make AR and put my rocks into it. I made my first attempt at making AR this past week. I followed the recipe to made poor man's AR using peroxide, white vinegar, toilet bowl cleaner and fertilizer.
I warmed the peroxide and vinegar separately in glass jars. I placed each in a pan of water on medium to low heat. I was attempting to increase the strength from 3% and 5%; respectively, via evaporation. I used a 1 to 1 ratio for these and a 4 to 1 ratio, approximately, for the combined cleaner and fertilizer.
I was surprised, there did not seem to be a reaction. I steered the solution and then decided to leave it for a couple days to give it time to work.
In the meantime, I started watching as many Utube videos, as I could. I realized there was more I had to do. The gold was not going to start appearing as the rock desolved. It became apparent that my idea of how it was going to work was wrong. I learned that the gold turned from solid to a solution with the AR.
I was already halfway there. I needed to get SMB for the final step. I found a pool store with a sodium neutralizer. I decided to try that while my online order for SMB was on its way.
I fitered the solution. I then mixed the Sodium with water trying to get it to desolve. Some were still floating around and I decided to put it in anyway . I added it little by little, until a good reaction was evident.
One other thing I did do that may have been where I went wrong, was adding table salt a long with more sodium bicarbonate. I was seeing only a mild reaction and didn't have test strips to check for PH levels. I believe the PH to precipitate should be between 5-6. I left it for overnight.
The next day after seeing a lot of white combined with yellowish/orange substance, I wasn't sure what to do. I started to filter it but there was just too much foamy stuff and mud,. I decided to drain as much of the liquid off as I could. I then left it over night to further process.
I went back to Utube for direction. Geo mentioned it may help to warm the solution. I heated the muddy solution for a few hours then let it sit for another 24 hrs.
About 8 hrs ago I put a stainless steel knife in it because I read it will draw out any copper that may be contaminating it.
Thankfully, I came across your forum this afternoon. The pictures I've included are: picture1) what the solution mud looks like now. Picture2) I collected some of the dried material off the funnels and coffee filters and put in a small jar. Picture 3) a picture of some of the material in the jar.
All the white stuff appears to be gone.
I don't know what I've done, what I've got, or what to do next. Any guidance will be very appreciated. Thank you
Lastly, I wanted to share my understanding of what some of the things are, that I need to do, during the process, going forward. My purpose is to get your feedback on what "I think" I should do...in case I'm wrong on any of it, before my second attempt at trying to precipitate the gold.
Now, I understand I should have bought pure SMB or Stump remover for the drop, sulfamic Acid to test for Nitric levels via grout cleaner, and a staneous to test for presence of gold or other metals. Also, if I'm understanding correctly, I should include additional steps to illuminate copper, silver, ECT with washing in between with Nitric Acid.
After the washings, I believe the solution should be clear, not cloudy. I'm uncertain if the solution should be yellow, orange or green and then to only turn Brown during precipitation.
I'm also unclear as to if I should or should not be desolving the SMB with warm water prior to putting it in solution.
Some instructions recommended putting ice cubes in the solution to keep the heat level down.
I am doing my best at following safety concerns with wearing gloves, a mask, ventilation outdoors, and not to mix anything together until I've researched and know its potential dangers with precautions to take.
