Real gold is very rare and valuable.It's unusual to find large pieces of gold in nature.You might be able to find small pieces of gold inside of rocks.If you want to find out if there is real gold in your piece of quartz, you need to take it to an expert who will tell you how much it's worth.
Step 1: You can compare weights between pieces.
Real gold is very heavy.If you have a piece of quartz with pieces of what you think is gold inside it, it's a good idea to weigh it and compare it to another piece.It's possible that your quartz contains real gold if it weighs more than a smaller piece.Real gold is 1.5 times heavier than fool's gold.The weight difference between the pieces of quartz will not be caused by fool's gold and other minerals that look like gold.If the gold is not real, the piece with gold-colored particles inside may be lighter than the other piece.
Step 2: You should do a magnet test.
Iron pyrite is magnetic, whereas real gold is not.If you have a piece of gold-colored material, hold a strong magnet up to it.Iron and not real gold are what your rock is made of.Refrigerator magnets may not be strong enough.Purchase stronger magnets at a home improvement store.
Step 3: You can use gold to scratch a piece of glass.
Other minerals that look like gold will not scratch a piece of glass.If you see a corner or edge that looks like gold, try scratching it against a piece of glass.It is not real gold if it leaves a scratch.You can use any piece of broken glass for the test.You should use something that you don't mind scratching.
Step 4: There is a piece of ceramic with gold.
When gold is scratched against ceramic, it will leave a gold-colored streak.When scratched on ceramic, iron pyrite leaves a greenish-black colored streak.For this test, try the back of a bathroom or kitchen tile.The gold won't work if the dishes are glazed.
Step 5: An acid test is conducted.
If you don't mind doing an acid test, you can find out if you have gold in your quartz.If you want to cover your quartz completely, place it in a glass jar.The acid in the water will cause the crystals to fall apart in a few hours.Real gold won't be affected by the acid, but other gold-look alike materials will become damaged.Extra caution and safety measures are required when using more potent acids.It's a safe acid to use at home.
Step 6: A steel or cast-iron mortar and pestle is needed.
The best way to crush rocks at home is with a mortar and pestle.It is important that it is made of a material that is harder than the gold and quartz you are crushing.The method of crushing will destroy it.Before you start crushing and panning, make sure you destroy your quartz.
Step 7: If you crush it, it will be a fine powder.
You can put your piece of quartz in the mortar or bowl.When pieces start to break off, press hard with the pestle.Take the smaller pieces and crush them up.If you want to focus on the areas that have gold-colored particles, you can separate the larger pieces from the smaller ones.
Step 8: Place your powders in water with a gold pan.
Online, gold pans can be found for $10 or less.Take your crushed powders and put them in a tub.After dipping your gold pan into the water, try to get as much powder into it as you can.
Step 9: The gold will get separated when you swirl the water around in your pan.
You can swirl the water in your gold pan with a circular motion.The gold will settle at the bottom of the pan.There will be lighter particles at the top.To dispose of the gold pan, put the water into a different container and tip it slightly.You may have to repeat this step many times to get the gold to settle.Have patience!It was not real gold to begin with if the gold-colored dust never settles to the bottom of the pan.
Step 10: The gold pieces need to be removed from the glass vial.
After sifting the powders, you may see gold particles at the bottom of your pan.If you want to know how much these pieces are worth, place them in a glass and take them to the lab.If you have other pieces of black sand in the bottom of your pan mixed with your gold dust, use a strong magnet to separate those out from the gold.
Step 11: There are places where gold and quartz can occur naturally.
The gold usually comes from where it was panned in the past.Near old gold mines, volcanic activity has happened in the past.In areas where the bedrock is fractured by volcanic activity, the veins are formed.Some areas of the US, Australia, South America, and central Europe have historically been mined for gold.
Step 12: The cracks and lines of the rock are natural.
Gold can be found along the natural cracks and lines of the rock.It is easy to spot in white quartz, though it can come in a range of colors.If you find gold in nature, use a geology hammer and sledge to break open the rocks.Before you remove rocks from the property, make sure you have the permission of the land owner.Don't go onto the land without the owner's permission.
Step 13: If you own a metal detector, use it.
A metal detector will pick up a strong signal from larger gold pieces.A positive metal detector signal could mean other metals are present.Gold is often found in those that are found.If you're looking to buy a metal detector that's specifically for gold, try to find one that has this setting built in.