Pyrite: a great indicator of gold that may itself contain gold - It makes valuable mineral specimens

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  • Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
  • Most prospectors learn early about pyrite or fool’s gold. But is pyrite always bad news for the prospector? No! the truth is that it can be an excellent indicator mineral for gold and in some cases, it does contain small amounts of gold. Pyrite is distinguished from gold by brittleness - a piece of gold hit with a hammer will flatten out while a piece of pyrite hit with a hammer will shatter into little bits. Normally pyrite only tricks prospectors when it is fresh and unweathered as it quickly rusts on exposure to rain and air, turning brown in color. Pyrite can be both a valuable ore mineral or a gangue (waste) mineral depending on the particular mineral occurrence. Where pyrite has significant gold, it is saved and processed for extraction. Where it is barren, it is treated as waste. In many mines, part of the gold is free milling, and part is bound up inside the pyrite crystal. The gold contained in the pyrite is not easily separated out, but the normal process is to recover the gold by fine crushing and leaching the ore using cyanide. The gold found within the pyrite occurs as tiny inclusions of metallic gold within the pyrite. There are a huge number of different gold ore types which are closely associated with pyrite, so it can be an excellent indicator mineral.
    For those who want to learn more about Prospecting and finding gold check out my book, Fists full of Gold. It’s an encyclopedia of everything on the topic of prospecting. It’s available on from High Plans Prospectors. (Affiliate) You can find it at:
    highplainsprospectors.com/pro...
    For even more information on prospecting, minerals, gems and other related information you can also check out my website at:
    nevada-outback-gems.com/prospe...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 200

  • @An_Appeal_To_Heaven
    @An_Appeal_To_Heaven Рік тому +7

    It would be funny if Pyrite one day becomes the most valuable mineral due to it being used in the manufacturing of some future technology.

  • @Godoursalvation
    @Godoursalvation Рік тому +3

    What an incredibly informative video. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. I have leaned more from your videos than any other prospecting channel this far. Many thanks!!

  • @danbrent4618
    @danbrent4618 Рік тому +7

    Very informative video Chris! Thanks for taking me along on your educational series! You’re a good teacher Chris and a nice guy too! Dan Brent

  • @justinmeng3902
    @justinmeng3902 День тому +1

    Thanks for sharing this. I'm a Newbie RockHound. I truly enjoy learning about the chemistry of minerals. I've grown a liking for pyrite. I'm in Southern Ontario Canada. Lots of nice things a few hours North of me. Bancroft,Thunder Bay, Lake Superior. All are goals of mine mind you. It's glad you share these informative videos. Becoming a passion of mine. This is maybe my first video I've watched. I'm also intrigued with Garnet. Mount St Hilaire is another one, in Quebec. Just feeling the Canadian spirit 😊.
    Anyways fam, your appreciated.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  День тому

      Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoy the videos.

  • @oldhollywoodbriar
    @oldhollywoodbriar Рік тому +4

    I was coming out of the hills the other day and some fellows asked me if I had found gold and I said, “No just pyrite.” They stopped and said, “If you’ve found pyrite you found gold.” I didn’t tell them where the vein was lol 😂

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Interesting.

    • @EthanBonardel
      @EthanBonardel Рік тому

      Lol had a very similar interaction a few weeks ago😅😂🤙

  • @MrGeorge514131
    @MrGeorge514131 Рік тому +2

    Your vids are an education, many thanks, when out prospecting I always look for the pyrites especially when still in the host rock then take everything home for processing. Seriously love this channel and have learnt heaps from you, hope all is well with you and will see you again in the next episode

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      I'm glad you found it helpful.

    • @MrGeorge514131
      @MrGeorge514131 Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph thanks again, greetings from Australia

  • @sunsetgold4528
    @sunsetgold4528 Рік тому +2

    Hi Chris, thank you for the excellent videos. It's so nice to hear good information from a professional. I'm also a subscriber to the ICMJ print and digital versions. Keep it up, good sir!

  • @cpomike13
    @cpomike13 Рік тому +1

    An often overlooked subject in gold geology. Thanx Chris

  • @elijahossinga-uf7bz
    @elijahossinga-uf7bz Рік тому +1

    Really a blessing to under your feet listening to your teachings. Thanks.

  • @davidrosinsky9912
    @davidrosinsky9912 Рік тому +1

    I really appreciate your vids. Great info. Great presentation

  • @SaltSeasDev
    @SaltSeasDev 11 місяців тому +1

    Great video Chris!
    I'm a video game developer doing research for a few games that use realistic mineralogy and your videos have been a big help! Some of what I did before development was educational video direction, so I have small note. While, you have been way better about it in your last few videos, but, I notice you often look away from the camera when talking, if you put your "prompter" above the camera it will really help this issue!

  • @jackiechristman2272
    @jackiechristman2272 8 місяців тому +1

    very helpful we've had this mineral for many years. this has been the most helpful you tube or links on google! thank you!!😊

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  8 місяців тому

      Glad it was helpful!

  • @karhukivi
    @karhukivi 11 місяців тому +1

    Very good talk! Nice to see you covered marcasite and pyrrhotite too. Arsenic is often associated with gold, so it is worth watching out for arsenopyrite.

  • @FabledFinds
    @FabledFinds Рік тому +7

    Ah, yes, pyrite…nature’s way of saying “Gotcha!”

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +2

      In many cases pyrite can be a good indicator.

    • @dananorth895
      @dananorth895 Рік тому +1

      It's iron and thats almost always a good indicator. I've heard said if any gold is present in the hydrothermal fluids (etc) the pyrite will crystalize out early, the higher gold content the smaller and more numerous the crytals. Large crystals generaly are fewer in number and indicate less/no gold....but that's locally so.......

    • @u2ooberboober
      @u2ooberboober Рік тому +1

      Gets me every time!!!

    • @FabledFinds
      @FabledFinds Рік тому

      @@dananorth895 Big crystals, big gold? I like it.

  • @frankhage1734
    @frankhage1734 Рік тому +1

    I purchased your book and really enjoy and learn from the videos you also produce. Our family owns claims which, historically, produced both placer gold and mixed ore from drift mining. There's a lot of silver, galena and pyrite. After sectioning and polishing ore samples, I can see that there's gold in that pyrite. Most people have learned pyrite is only for fools.
    ...
    I'm recently retired and purchased a nice, mid-range, metal detector, with software tuned for gold. Within the last week, I can finally access the property with my truck after the snow melted. I invite you to make some interesting episodes about the gold rush in Colorado and how to find gold in such a mine field. I'd be glad to show you around Gilpin county CO.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Thanks, but I've no plans to make it to Colorado anytime soon.

  • @seanb3516
    @seanb3516 Рік тому +3

    I have been finding Pyrite/Pyrolite crystals on the beach in large quantities.
    I believe there is some gold in there because when I smash the stuff I get a lot of black powder... and large gold flakes.
    I have fired the material and hopefully today I will be able to cupel into Portland Cement. Rotsa Ruck Raggy

  • @anthonyrstrawbridge
    @anthonyrstrawbridge Рік тому +2

    Worthwhile interesting episode Chris I really enjoyed it.
    Im going yo enjoy this. Kinda been dreaming about feeding beach sand into a sluice lately 😊

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Might work, depending on where the sand comes from....

    • @anthonyrstrawbridge
      @anthonyrstrawbridge Рік тому +1

      @@ChrisRalph It's really difficult to see through the sand bags at Home Depot 🙃

  • @Old52Guy
    @Old52Guy Рік тому

    I definitely need to revisit those places I found a lot of pyrite. Thanks!

  • @johnramirez5032
    @johnramirez5032 Рік тому +2

    Hi Chris. Thats for the video! Nature is amazing. There is a lifetime of learning when it comes to rocks,minerals and the processes of nature. Knowledge is almost more valuable than money. Or the gold that is found. Although the largest gold deposits found were because geologist did the footwork and usually backed with research paid by people with lots of money. Its is the geological processes that enriched nature with the minerals needed to have the diversity of life on this planet. What a wonderful world we live in.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Its a world full of wonders indeed.

  • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542

    Chalcopyrite ALSO develops more of a rainbow hue to it when it begins oxidizing.
    This makes it more easy to determine it from pyrite.
    One can even artificially oxidize chalcopyrite to cause it to form a beautiful glistening metallic iridescent appearance.

  • @AntiQris
    @AntiQris 10 місяців тому +1

    I love listening to you while I work. Thank you for your videos they really help me.
    For hobby use, is there a breakdown or list of acids relative to each mineral used to isolate specific minerals from others?
    My local mining shop didn’t wanna tell me it seems as they were worried about people causing environmental damage from such knowledge. I get that but I just want to do small experiments with my kid to isolate different minerals. Any help would be appreciated thank you

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  10 місяців тому +1

      There is no such list because separating things is dependent on what you are separating the thing from. The matrix can be variable.

    • @AntiQris
      @AntiQris 10 місяців тому

      @@ChrisRalph ok I get what you mean. I pick up from old pirate journals where folks rather hid items in some sort of concrete mix, which seemed to imply being able to recover later by dissolving?
      So was curious your thoughts on what might be used to do such things?

  • @patrickaussieMilartry
    @patrickaussieMilartry Рік тому

    Hey Chris spot on pyrite and quarts have led my self and friends to usually find some gold. But pyrite is beautiful to look at. Cheers again
    👍🇦🇺🇺🇸

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Thanks 👍 Pyrite is good to find!

  • @taniakapronczai7652
    @taniakapronczai7652 5 місяців тому

    Hi, my husband did a contract work at a mine in Northern Canada. Since I love rocks and minerals, he brought lots of different rocks containing all kinds of pyrite. I would like to send some pictures to you. Some are the normal cube crystals, but some look like molten metal on chalcedony, quartz, and metamorphic rocks as well

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  5 місяців тому

      Thanks for sharing! Just based on your description, I'd have no idea what the molten metal was.

  • @robertkaplan1146
    @robertkaplan1146 Рік тому

    Thanks Chris very informative.
    I once had over 30 m3 of granite quarry rock delivered to one of my work sites. We saw lots of metallic colors and when we consulted the department of mines we were told it was pyrite not gold at a glance but we're also keen to know where it came from.
    Now I wonder what if ?????
    LoL I think I'll just get myself a minelab gold monster and go to the gold fields. Cheers 👍

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      As I say in the video, pyrite is common and occurs in lots of types of rocks. Gold is rare.

  • @CritterCamSoCal
    @CritterCamSoCal Рік тому

    Thanks I learned a lot about Pyrites cool.!

  • @PoorMiners321
    @PoorMiners321 Рік тому +1

    Thank you very much..

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      You are welcome, glad you liked it.

  • @ladyflibblesworth7282
    @ladyflibblesworth7282 9 місяців тому

    I live where the industrial era began, they dumped their waste everywhere, this area was once considered the most diverse area of outstanding natural beauty. Alfred Wallace discovered evolution on the mountain I live on as so many different ecosystems existed in such a small area. Copperopolis - what a dirty word. They say we should be grateful for the jobs but all we got was pennies, several families sharing small damp cold houses, kids working in the mines, hilltop graveyards from the various furnaces, cholera.....they used to have police guarding the mine waste, but they just eventually turned it into orange bogs and call them nature reserves!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  9 місяців тому

      certainly a very interesting story.

  • @kylestrokelitus360
    @kylestrokelitus360 Рік тому +1

    We also now know REE are directly related to coal deposits and most economically extracted from the ash of burned coal, but has there been any inclination or studies showing gold content specifically related to Anthracite Coal deposits in the Grade A Mammoth Vein in Schuylkill Co PA.?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      There are tiny traces of all sorts of elements in coal ash.

  • @Kuttanwarrior
    @Kuttanwarrior 3 місяці тому +1

    Excellent!

  • @CrestoneColorado-yj4we
    @CrestoneColorado-yj4we 3 місяці тому

    Great video.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  3 місяці тому

      Thanks, Glad you enjoyed it.

  • @markmayer2029
    @markmayer2029 Рік тому

    Thanks for another great video. I was really hoping you would show the fine Au on pyrite with either a microscope, or SEM. Would have really liked to see an example.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      I don't have a picture like that to show. Maybe you could find something using google.

    • @markmayer2029
      @markmayer2029 Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph I did find 1 picture of a tiny grain on a 1mm cube. University of Otago picture, FYI. It was hard to find a picture. I found a nugget growing out of a cube once, but lost it into the carpet.

  • @calvinwhite9797
    @calvinwhite9797 Рік тому +1

    Pyrite the one thing about pirates or fake gold if you take it in the dark it don't look like gold you take gold in the dark is still shines

  • @jonnymoka
    @jonnymoka Рік тому

    I have been searching an exposed quartz vein with beautiful mineralization along with pyrite.

  • @billyhendrix5544
    @billyhendrix5544 Рік тому

    Dude your the gems Ive been prospecting for ❤ these videos are absolutely excellent and informative.

  • @bernardmcnamara
    @bernardmcnamara 9 місяців тому

    Hi from Australia. 🇦🇺
    I'm finding your segments very educational on a basic beginners level.
    As that what I am.
    I'm involved in a Astronomy Club inwitch has geology group with in the club itself inwitch are out in the field once a month searching for fossils, minerals & crystals.
    I would also like to ask permission to run one of post leatchers while discussing Pyrite's.
    Would this be OK. ?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  9 місяців тому

      sorry - I have no idea what "post leatchers" are.

  • @CharcoalChaos
    @CharcoalChaos Рік тому +1

    Good man yourself Chris thanks for the nice lesson again!
    My brother and I are known as the pyrite pirates, which I’m not proud of😂

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      That is funny - the pyrite pirates!

  • @isaaclawson3126
    @isaaclawson3126 Рік тому

    I'm still learning and have learned a lot in the past couple years. Watched this because my wife found what looked like a Moss agate with a small patch of what looked like gold. Kind of looked like foil. It's in the tumbler right now. Hoping the patch survives because it looked cool. My question is, if it is pyrite, can it be shined and how to do that if it oxidizes? Great video BTW.. thanks.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Pyrite does not form as foils. Perhaps it is mica (which forms thin sheets)?

    • @isaaclawson3126
      @isaaclawson3126 Рік тому

      @Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector well I guess we'll find out lol. Mica doesn't do well in a tumbler

  • @fosildude
    @fosildude 11 місяців тому

    Howdy, My name is Dean I have a specimen of what I think is gold/pyrite in quartz. I'm probably wrong I usually am. My question is may I send you a picture of it some how so you can maybe see and tell what it might be? Thank you so much, and thank you for your videos very much so.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  11 місяців тому

      Sorry - I get quite a few people every day who want me to ID their rock and mineral photos. I do not offer a mineral ID service, mostly because it’s not as easy as you think. Usually, minerals cannot be identified from just a picture. Please watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself. Part 1 can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/MpkW58ZeQlc/v-deo.html and Part 2 can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/zOWo49X90gA/v-deo.html and Part 3 can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/_ab5NngRlVw/v-deo.html

  • @greedygringoprospecting6941

    i only got a spec of gold learning about my dry washer. i have only used it 3 times. was a nice day with the first class miners. have a good day.

  • @edwinlipton
    @edwinlipton Рік тому

    Thee ohm resistance test leads me too think of a possible use as a LOAD resistor use. Has that ever been tried in a load circuit?

  • @danielflinn3571
    @danielflinn3571 Рік тому

    Thanks from Australia have your book

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Thanks! The book should be helpful.

  • @BobSmith-vs5jp
    @BobSmith-vs5jp Рік тому

    Thanks for video/ demo!
    My motorcycle was just stolen (second time in 2yrs).
    Can you do a diamond blade test & a hammer smash/fracture test? Thanks

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      not sure what you mean by a diamond blade test. Can you explain?

    • @BobSmith-vs5jp
      @BobSmith-vs5jp Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph I was commenting on a different video. The video ended,while typing & you received the comment.
      Both videos were downloaded- a testament to my interest in both!
      Thanks for great content!

  • @TurboTyler
    @TurboTyler Рік тому

    There's so much pyrite and mica here in CO that it litters the creek beds and ground all over. Your shoes will be covered in it just hiking around.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Too bad neither is very valuable.

  • @albertparai4305
    @albertparai4305 9 місяців тому +1

    Hi Chris, I'm from Papua new guinea in the South Pacific Ocean. How can I find a good gold detector and which detector is best, is it the double figure scale or the single detector

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  9 місяців тому +1

      I did a video on selecting the right detector for your use. Take a look a that video and it will answer a lot of your questions. See: ua-cam.com/video/SqwkpH9LZIM/v-deo.html

  • @zannemairiwoods528
    @zannemairiwoods528 Місяць тому

    Great info and much appreciated however , Where does the golden Pyrite come from as I purchased a 4" piece that actually had same color gold color that were actually quartz crystal forms , only as stated the same dark gold color .
    Wondering if this was aan made coloring or if it is real !
    I also have the greyish cubed formations as well as just small unnoticeable formations .
    Any info on fake made Pyrite ?
    Thank you for your input and expertise .!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Місяць тому +1

      From your description, I just can't say. Never heard of man made pyrite specimens.

    • @user-wz9cj9hi1z
      @user-wz9cj9hi1z Місяць тому

      I have searched for expert knowledge of someone in the field and found your site !
      The piece I acquired looks like quartz crystal formation and not square ones that are normally found ., plus it is a brassy color and uneven smoother bottom. . Was thinking that someone with abilities to somehow color the extremity with metal ??? .Also where does gold pyrite come from ?
      Should I take pictures of it and send it to you ?!

  • @AntiQris
    @AntiQris 10 місяців тому

    I’d love to have your book can I use your lessons in an outdoor class I’m starting with 12-16 age group?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  10 місяців тому

      You can tell them what you've learned, but you can't make copies of stuff from the book.

  • @Stand.Your.Ground.
    @Stand.Your.Ground. 7 місяців тому

    This video has helped me identify what I have! A have a specimen I found in Oregon that has copper staining sandwiched between two quarts veins but has geometric chalcopyrite /pyrite shapes I wonder if there is gold in it. (Known area for gold)
    Beautiful specimen imo

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  7 місяців тому

      Its possible there is gold in it.

  • @user-zj9ki6ch7g
    @user-zj9ki6ch7g 11 місяців тому

    Good Information

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  11 місяців тому

      Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

  • @a3skywarrior929
    @a3skywarrior929 Рік тому

    Great episode! 👍 ✨️🍻

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Thanks!

    • @a3skywarrior929
      @a3skywarrior929 Рік тому

      @Chris Ralph, Professional Prospector only took a freshman geology many many moons 🌙 ago...great explanation of sulfates 🍻

  • @mountainmover777
    @mountainmover777 Рік тому

    I used to work on Admirality island in Alaska and this stuff was everywhere. It would turn the water reddish orange. I used to have some great examples, but lost all my treasures years ago to a storage unit I couldn't pay the fees on..😒

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      That is unfortunate that you lost them.

    • @mountainmover777
      @mountainmover777 Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph Yes it was, but I did learn a great lesson about possessions, I'm not so connected to my "things" anymore. Can't take them with me anyway.. God bless you sir!

  • @lauriemcdonald8829
    @lauriemcdonald8829 Рік тому +1

    I’m new at looking for gold in rocks as I’ve been doing placer prospecting so far! I’ve brought some rocks home, cleaned and sitting in pail of vinegar. I’ve been told to add salt and boil for … (no one said how long) so going boil dry (outside on burner). Gonna crush fine. Then pan. What’s the easiest way (chemical to add/cook) to liquidate gold then how (what?) to solidify free gold again. Yes I saw how the sulfides will drop gold for iron but how to do that without chemistry lab? I’d be doing this outside. Thanks in advance, Laurie

    • @dananorth895
      @dananorth895 Рік тому

      There are a number of sites here on ytube that show how to crush, refine gold, copper etc.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Commercially, dissolving gold involves the use of cyanide. The best way for the individual is to crush the rock to fine sand and pan out the gold particles. I have a video on how to do this.

    • @maryglo1
      @maryglo1 Рік тому

      Mount Baker Mining has done some videos on processing Ask Jeff Williams ore.

  • @samuelpat8592
    @samuelpat8592 8 місяців тому

    There's a lot pyrites here in my my place,its a vain down ward its look like a gold.is there a possible that there's a gold down there?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  8 місяців тому

      It is possible there is gold but no guarantees, it is also possible there is no gold.

  • @kiyanliyan2931
    @kiyanliyan2931 4 місяці тому

    hello teacher, you are an important program for us, please provide a Farsi translation We are watching your program from Iran

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  4 місяці тому

      I do not speak Farsi. Try automated translation.

  • @TexasBurningFlower
    @TexasBurningFlower Рік тому

    Thank you for this video. Very educational. I have a question about a type of rockI have found. Is there a way I can send a few photos. I really would like to understand more about it.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Sorry - I get quite a few people every day who want me to ID their rock and mineral photos. I do not offer a mineral ID service, mostly because it’s not as easy as you think. Usually, minerals cannot be identified from just a picture. Please watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself. Part 1 can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/MpkW58ZeQlc/v-deo.html and Part 2 can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/zOWo49X90gA/v-deo.html and Part 3 can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/_ab5NngRlVw/v-deo.html

    • @TexasBurningFlower
      @TexasBurningFlower Рік тому

      Thank you for responding, I can only imagine the pouring in of peoples discoveries and questions if that door was opened. Thank you for the dedication you apply to your videos, you certainly are an educator, bringing a vast area of complex subjects, all together, to make sense to common average person.

    • @TexasBurningFlower
      @TexasBurningFlower Рік тому

      I understand, I can only imagine opening that door. Thank you for your time and dedication that you put into educating the common average person, with an enriched college course education in a 30 min utube video….

    • @TexasBurningFlower
      @TexasBurningFlower Рік тому

      Have you ever researched the Llano uplift?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      There is gold in the Llano river, its very small particles, but its there. Do some research on Google to find out more.

  • @paulbegley1464
    @paulbegley1464 Рік тому

    Hay Chris I was wondering when you did the side by side comparison of the 3 metal detectors. You had the Minelab and the and I'm thinking the Garret but I couldn't understand the 3rd one. Can you repeat all for me. I'm thinking the Minelab was the 9,000 or the 8,000. And I can't remember what the Garret was called. I guess I'm just getting old and decrepit.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      2 of the three were Minelab, the other was the Garrett Axiom.

    • @paulbegley1464
      @paulbegley1464 Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph Thanks Chris. I'm taking it was the top two Minelabs.

  • @JohnnyYeTaecanUktena
    @JohnnyYeTaecanUktena Місяць тому

    I find Pyrite very valuable as it is a nice common source of sulfur 53% while Galena is only 13%. Obviously any slag left over after the two pot distillation you can use however you like. Now i like extracting the sulfur because it is apart of a recipe for non smokeless gunpower and i do have a muzzleloader, the recipe ingredients are as follows
    Charcoal
    Sulfur
    Saltpeter
    Now the funny thing about saltpeter is you can extract it from your own urine but boy it stinks, it's like making compost really but you are not gardening and you don't want sunlight to hit the beds. The process for Saltpeter is about 7 months in the south and about a year up north as the more heat in the climate the better.
    Like other than mixing the powders and such the only real dangerous part is the sulfur extraction as you don't wanna breath in H25 for those that don't know Hydrogen Sulfide. It's highly toxic, corrosive, and flammable. You could also use Sodium Thiosulfate in the 2 pot distillation as it is 40% sulfur and since it is already pretty much crushed up you don't have much wok to do. Funny thing is you do heat up Sulfur with a few other things to make Sodium Thiosulfate in the first place, and Sodium Thiosulphate is used to treat cyanide poisoning allegedly -i don't remember if that part is true or not-
    So anyways yeah Pyrite will always be valuable to me at least and anyone who owns a muzzle loader as again it is just a nice source of sulfur that is naturally occurring.
    Though as you are explaining after the sulfur is extracted if you had a good bit of crushed up Pyrite might as well extract the gold if that was remaining and not contaminate the sulfur in the other pot

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Місяць тому +1

      Or you could just buy and store a sufficient amount of sulfur and Potassium Nitrate. It would be 100 times easier than pyrite distillation or urine processing.

    • @JohnnyYeTaecanUktena
      @JohnnyYeTaecanUktena Місяць тому

      @@ChrisRalph That is true, but it is just a hobby i occasionally do when i truly have nothing better to do

  • @mainer8713
    @mainer8713 Рік тому

    I have a question about pyrite, a few years ago i was digging up a spring at the head end of my farm pond with a spade and pick ax and had a lot of pyrite flakes coming up and also a film of almost oil film seeping up.

    • @mainer8713
      @mainer8713 Рік тому

      Does the pyrite flakes and the floating oil/rainbow color film coming up indicate anything special. Oh and also wanted to say my soil is heavy clay, hard packed.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Pyrite does not come in flakes. My guess is that it was likely mica, which almost always comes in flakes.

    • @mainer8713
      @mainer8713 Рік тому +1

      @@ChrisRalph mica, is that gold color and shatters easily

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Mica is frequently gold colored.

  • @davidpapazoni3398
    @davidpapazoni3398 3 місяці тому

    Pyrite , Devils Dice, are fun crystals, as is fossils. Basically a metal detector will not pickup pyrite, this is a good way to test if it's metal or crystal if I'm not mistaken pyrite is metamorphic eventually turning in to iron. Some of my gold nuggets have both pyrite and iron. Interesting iron expands 10 fold when it enters another metamorphic stage turning to rust, which is why many of my gold nuggets have holes and turned orange due to iron oxide. Iron oxide is a super fine dust which penetrates and is trapped inside of gold nuggets. Chris I would love to see your fossils and the one's that consist of pyrite. Your anology of my conception is important to me. Thank You! I'm Curious if your metal detector picks up on your seashell of pyrite? I supose if the metal detector sounds off on the seashell the seashell is exreemly heavy.

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  3 місяці тому +1

      The pyrite doesn't always expand. I have some cubes that are exactly as they were formed - just the iron sulfide of pyrite is converted to iron oxide. metal detectors will not pick up pyrite - its not conductive enough. Metal detectors pick up metal because metals conduct electricity.

    • @davidpapazoni3398
      @davidpapazoni3398 3 місяці тому

      Thanks Chris, Yes , Like a electric guitar, the pickups on the electric guitar are electrically charged and sense a disturbance in the vicinity of each pole on the pickups, the metal strings vibrate at different pitches and wave lengths producing different tones. Metal detectors have a coil instead of metal poles which electric guitars have. Yet the guitar poles have coils of wire windings around them, as you may already be aware of. Crystals are amazing and produce different colors just like glass when small amounts of different metals are added to the molten glass to produce different colors of glass. Thanks for indicating that just the iron sulfide of pyrite is converted to iron oxide. I had the assumption the entire crystal turned metamorphically into metal iron, then the metal iron turned to rust, at this point expanded 10 times it's original iron metal size and then metamorphically produced a bi product of rusty orange colored iron oxide dust. I was thinking iron sulfide is rust. I hope one day you will get to see my gold fossils of various different creatures and or parts of various different creatures. They were formed into gold while clinging to hydrothermal vents, or they were already metamorphic stone fossils at the vents when the gold accumulated inside them as underwater volcanoes elevated the sea floor creating coral reefs. Most of my gold fossils are of seashells exoskeletal and crabs also exoskeletal The other's im' not sure what creatures or coral plant, worms they are. I think the natural exoskeletal round shape's of seashells helped the gold to accumulate something like a man made crucible works. Gravity seemed to allow the gold to settle at the bottom half parts of the natural bowl shaped exoskeletons crucible's.

  • @duanebartlett4885
    @duanebartlett4885 Рік тому

    Can you assay pyrite sulfides for gold percentages that are encased in the pyrite?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      yes, a fire assay of an ore can determine the gold amount in the pyrite.

    • @duanebartlett4885
      @duanebartlett4885 Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph Does roasting pyrite sulfides free encased gold so it can be viewed?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Through roasting can oxidize the pyrite, but further crushing will be needed to liberate the gold. Remember that panning may not capture the very fine and microscopic gold particles.

  • @Smithsgold
    @Smithsgold Рік тому +1

    Ok now I want to go find some Pyrite !!!!!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      Good video on that hydro pit exploration.

    • @Smithsgold
      @Smithsgold Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph Thanks !!!!

  • @williamweiss1096
    @williamweiss1096 5 місяців тому

    used to find it in Illinois, ( and we called it fools gold) the only fools we're those like me that believed those older then us who said it was not worth anything. only to learn years later that YES YOU CAN RECOVER GOLD from iron pyrite. those whot told us to throw it away, collected and melted it

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  5 місяців тому

      Some pyrite has gold in it. Some does not.

  • @jakefranklin269
    @jakefranklin269 Місяць тому

    I have been finding large solid chunks of pyrite in our rejects from our coal mine. some is very loose bonded crystals and crumbles but i have been finding pieces that are almost as solid as steel very dense and large pieces from a grey white colour to a golden yellow and everything in between. Whats going on here?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Місяць тому +1

      The sulfur in the organic materials which formed the coal have combined with iron from the ground water to form pyrite.

    • @jakefranklin269
      @jakefranklin269 Місяць тому

      @@ChrisRalph thanks Ralph! That would explain the density i guess. Its nothing like the stuff ive seen in hard rock copper/silver ore . Could there be metals other than iron? Some of it almost silver. Im thinking possibly arseno pyrite?

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Місяць тому

      Tiny traces. No other metals worth extracting.

  • @7kings441
    @7kings441 4 місяці тому

    I need your assistance in Zambia
    May you able to come

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  4 місяці тому

      I appreciate your interest, but I do not offer any services for personal training, consulting or advisement. I get many such requests and simply do not have time to help all who ask. I have many business and family commitments and simply don't have the time available. I do wish you the best of luck, but I am sorry that I cannot offer any help on that level.

  • @hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542

    HEY!!!
    I'M ALL FOR MINING PYRITE!!!
    GREAT SOURCE OF IRON AND SULFUR!!!
    [we got ZERO gold where I live].

  • @user-zj9ki6ch7g
    @user-zj9ki6ch7g 11 місяців тому

    wow!!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  11 місяців тому

      Glad it was helpful.

  • @benrhynsburger3275
    @benrhynsburger3275 Рік тому

    Bought the book BEFORE I saw this video. 😀

  • @RaymondMooney-xd2ug
    @RaymondMooney-xd2ug 2 місяці тому

    Sounds like melting finding

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  2 місяці тому

      Not sure what "melting finding" is.

  • @edwardevans7219
    @edwardevans7219 Рік тому

    I LOVE FOOLS GOLD, THE LARGER AND MORE SQUARE THE BETTER. CLEAN THEM THEN COAT THEM, I USED CLEAR FINGER NAIL POLISH, AND THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL FOREVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @eduardbuletsa9485
    @eduardbuletsa9485 Рік тому

    Thanks & Subscription 💎💎💎

  • @noyoureahooker
    @noyoureahooker Рік тому

    Pyrite? PYWRONG it's Gypsum!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Yah, you don't know what you are talking about.

    • @noyoureahooker
      @noyoureahooker Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph oh it's actually just a joke by the comedian William Montgomery lol sorry for the confusion.

  • @user-ug8pc5ve2u
    @user-ug8pc5ve2u 4 місяці тому

    Hello sir I have lot of pyrit

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  4 місяці тому

      Some pyrite had gold, some does not. Test to see what you have.

  • @afewerkidesta1959
    @afewerkidesta1959 3 місяці тому

    Hello sir!! I have pyrite for specimens and industries , if you need to collect pls contac for me.
    Or if you now collectors

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  3 місяці тому +1

      I am not a specimen buyer.

  • @rearspeaker6364
    @rearspeaker6364 Рік тому

    that is what all these "prospectors" on youtube are finding!!

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      No, some do find some nice gold - the real stuff.

    • @rearspeaker6364
      @rearspeaker6364 Рік тому

      @@ChrisRalph agreed, just some.

  • @trptrungblogs
    @trptrungblogs Рік тому

    🎉❤🎉❤

  • @EthanBonardel
    @EthanBonardel Рік тому

    Very informative, Thanks Professor! I need to start taking notes for knowledge retention as this is very important to understand these processes when hunting🫡

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому +1

      You can always watch a second or even third time on the videos to make sure you have everything.

  • @abdellutaiffnomiry3195
    @abdellutaiffnomiry3195 7 місяців тому

    Good woo

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  7 місяців тому

      Glad you enjoyed it.

  • @zusclhz
    @zusclhz Рік тому

    Thank You SO MUCH for Teaching!! 🙏🚂🎼🌹🎶🎵 ~C< 3)>>-Z->}

  • @askedhachker5389
    @askedhachker5389 6 місяців тому

    Pyrite mining goild 2023 2080 👍 1kg 90.13 gold 1kg 30.21😢

  • @kylestrokelitus360
    @kylestrokelitus360 Рік тому

    A question i have is that in reference to a study in '03. This study focused on The Lodestar prospect in eastern Newfoundland, Canada. It went on to conclude that "Gold is “homogeneously” (i.e., no nugget effect) contained within the structure of arsenopyrite. Other sulfide phases, such as pyrite and chalcopyrite, contain very low levels of Au. Gold contents in arsenopyrite from individual samples, and even within individual crystals, do vary, presumably related to arsenic concentrations. As gold was not observable by any of the other micro-analytical techniques, it must be chemically bound in the arsenopyrite structure, thereby classifying it as “invisible” gold." With that stated, is that a to also mean gold content in a sample is directly related to the amount of arsenopyrite in a sample ---> no matter the location, or is this specifically at this deposit only? pubs.geoscienceworld.org/canmin/article-abstract/41/2/353/13543/A-LAM-ICP-MS-STUDY-OF-THE-DISTRIBUTION-OF-GOLD-IN

    • @ChrisRalph
      @ChrisRalph  Рік тому

      Sorry, I've no time to study and review this reference paper for you.

    • @kylestrokelitus360
      @kylestrokelitus360 Рік тому

      Understandable Sir. That's why I summarized the conclusion of the study for ease of reading. The study concluded that Au was directly related to the concentration of arsenopyrite and that it was homogeneous in every sample and every crystal and that the concentrations did vary but we're in direct relation to the concentration levels of arsenopyrite.
      My question is does a study that concludes something such as this, conclude the results for arsenopyrite no matter the location? Since it found a direct relationship to the higher level of arsenopyrite meant the concentration in the analysis of gold also was higher... So is that geologically certain across the globe? Just wondering from your experience Chris. It would mean a lot to get a better understanding of this specific relationship if you have any experience or understanding of this, that would help out my prospecting business alot. Thanks Chris.

    • @richardrobertson1331
      @richardrobertson1331 11 місяців тому

      @@kylestrokelitus360 that's an interesting question because so much is involved with minerals being concentrated. Minerals dissolve and precipitate out again, depending on so many factors such as pH changes, temperature changes, pressure changes, etc., that drawing a single conclusion for a variety of environmental options is risky. I'm afraid many fortunes have been made and lost drawing conclusions when so many different options are in play. Good luck with your venture.

  • @__--JY-Moe--__
    @__--JY-Moe--__ Рік тому