That sponge gold is very ugly indeed , compared to that pretty button . i have been learning a lot about smelting and I can't wait to try it for myself one day. Thanks for the great content. See you soon.
Thanks for the kind words Steve! Smelting is quite fascinating but definitely has a learning curve. I'm contemplating creating a crash course video on smelting, there is always something new to learn, for myself as well!
@@ColoradoGoldCamp it is amazing at how many different ways there are for these processes. I have been watching MBMM and SREETTIPS and yourself to learn as much as possible before I attempt anything myself. But I am excited for that day for sure. Thank you so much for replying back and have a fantastic day
And I also think that the idea of creating smelting content would go a long way in helping people like me who really want to try. But in the safest way possible way. And that starts by watching people like yourself who know what they are doing. Wonderful idea
And I have to say that listening to your voice and the way you speak makes me smile every time I watch. It's like your on a surf board prospecting for gold and shiny things. Had to say🏄
@@stevezozuk9622 Allright allright allright, yeaaaa buddy! hehe ;) Research is key! Then practice and technique. Safety is paramount. Molten rock and metal is crazy hot and dangerous. Then there are the fumes. A quality respirator with the proper cartridge is also a must! Keep learning n dreaming, anything is possible! Best of luck Steve!!
Sponge gold can refer to a variety of gold types. Crystalline, pockety, non solid lumps of gold can be called sponge gold. Precipitate from gold refining can be termed sponge gold and most frequently sponge gold refers to Hg coated gold that has to be treated to remove the Hg. This gold we had to run through a retort. Throughout that process the gold turn very dull brown orange and lumpy. It doesn't even look like gold. The quickest way to bring back the gold luster is by melting.
This is such good information. We really appreciate you taking the time to do these experiments and filming it. Curious though where you found that sponge gold ? Dredging ?
Thanks guys. There doesn't seem to be a good manual for these sorts of things, so testing is the name of the game. Yes, the sponge gold did come from dredging. Can be seen in the video right after this one.
You need a conical mold to help with concentration of gold button. A bone crucible would help remove some metallic impurity as well. I smelted placer gold into a .999 pure button. The gold was from Oregon Colorado and N,Carolina. It took 3 melts with borax in a bone crucible using MAP gas torch
Awesome poor there at the end that button looks cool. I was wondering if you had a computer chip gold that was still in its flaky state are you able to smelt it down with flux in the state that it's in and pour a button? Cuz I have 38 g of computer chip gold that I wanted to try this same process
@@jeremycanterohioprospecting You should be able to melt that down into a button no problem! I would think that a static furnace such as the one I use in the video would work perfectly. A torch melt or propane funace melt would likely blow the thin foils all over the place.
The background noise from your generator was very annoying. Having said that, good video. What is the sponge gold from, which video do I watch for the info? Thanks and looking forward to the next update! 🙂🇨🇦
Thanks Mike. Yeah, I know. I edited the heck out of that footage in an effort to remove the gen noise. Next time, I'm def stringing the gen out 75+ ft away! This particular sponge came dredge cons that you will see soon. We had to retort the gold due to its Hg content.
Whatever happened to the claim you were working on last year where you were shoveling out and throwing waste out of the opening? Also you took samples out of the vein cross section. Might have been two claims, not sure.
Hey Kim, Yes I have many claims and am continually working on them. That particular mine you are referencing has been a huge project of mine. The surface vein is nice and large with some free milling gold. At that site, I am currently working on reopening a 120 year old shaft to see if I can find some of the legendary 20oz/t ore that they were pulling back then.
Sponge gold can refer to a variety of gold types. Crystalline, pockety, non solid lumps of gold can be called sponge gold. Precipitate from gold refining can be termed sponge gold and most frequently sponge gold refers to Hg coated gold that has to be treated to remove the Hg. This gold we had to run through a retort. Throughout that process the gold turn very dull brown orange and lumpy. It doesn't even look like gold. The quickest way to bring back the gold luster is by melting.
Cool. This part should be a breeze for me at least as I was already an experienced knifemaker working with complex modern high alloy martensitic stainless steels and everything before I took up prospecting more seriously. So already have alot of good equipment for this part. Including several forges both gas or charcoal/coal. And especially a real good really accurate (and really expensive) high temp digital electrical kiln/oven which should be great for this. (The latter is a must for good stainless steel heat treating and all. Which is hella complex and tricky and requiring lots of knowledge and expensive, complex equipment compared to simple carbon steel.btw haha ) And have borax haha. Just need a new crucible and those tongs to hold it I guess, and a mold. Though I've seen people use potatoes and a blowtorch haha which work ok but, I'm a little more fussy with my work. )) And some more research. )) Would you recommend just a small graphite crucible and mould?
That sponge gold is very ugly indeed , compared to that pretty button . i have been learning a lot about smelting and I can't wait to try it for myself one day. Thanks for the great content. See you soon.
Thanks for the kind words Steve! Smelting is quite fascinating but definitely has a learning curve. I'm contemplating creating a crash course video on smelting, there is always something new to learn, for myself as well!
@@ColoradoGoldCamp it is amazing at how many different ways there are for these processes. I have been watching MBMM and SREETTIPS and yourself to learn as much as possible before I attempt anything myself. But I am excited for that day for sure. Thank you so much for replying back and have a fantastic day
And I also think that the idea of creating smelting content would go a long way in helping people like me who really want to try. But in the safest way possible way. And that starts by watching people like yourself who know what they are doing. Wonderful idea
And I have to say that listening to your voice and the way you speak makes me smile every time I watch. It's like your on a surf board prospecting for gold and shiny things. Had to say🏄
@@stevezozuk9622 Allright allright allright, yeaaaa buddy! hehe ;) Research is key! Then practice and technique. Safety is paramount. Molten rock and metal is crazy hot and dangerous. Then there are the fumes. A quality respirator with the proper cartridge is also a must! Keep learning n dreaming, anything is possible! Best of luck Steve!!
That shiny button sure is BEAUTIFUL!
Yeah 🙌
Sweet gold button!!😎
You do need your shades lookin at that beauty! hehe, Happy Thanksgiving!
@@ColoradoGoldCamp happy holidays!
Thanks for answer. Very interesting what your doing
Glad you’re sporting a proper respirator. Way to keep at it. Also, your gene sure loves the throttle! 🤣 Vroom vroom vroom!
great job fam. looking good. GOLD SQUAD OUT!!!
Happy Thanksgiving GS!
So excellent work 👍 good job
What was the final carat purity of gold in that gold button/slug?
Can you explain what sponge gold is??
Sponge gold can refer to a variety of gold types. Crystalline, pockety, non solid lumps of gold can be called sponge gold. Precipitate from gold refining can be termed sponge gold and most frequently sponge gold refers to Hg coated gold that has to be treated to remove the Hg. This gold we had to run through a retort. Throughout that process the gold turn very dull brown orange and lumpy. It doesn't even look like gold. The quickest way to bring back the gold luster is by melting.
Awesome video! I have to try this still.
Nice job! Fun times
I just need more gold to melt ;)
Cupel again with more lead.... Do that after breaking the bar or cutting it to see if it's pure or have it checked first for k
This is such good information. We really appreciate you taking the time to do these experiments and filming it. Curious though where you found that sponge gold ? Dredging ?
Thanks guys. There doesn't seem to be a good manual for these sorts of things, so testing is the name of the game. Yes, the sponge gold did come from dredging. Can be seen in the video right after this one.
Wow very nice 👍
How do you get the lead out after putting lead in it?
You need a conical mold to help with concentration of gold button. A bone crucible would help remove some metallic impurity as well. I smelted placer gold into a .999 pure button. The gold was from Oregon Colorado and N,Carolina. It took 3 melts with borax in a bone crucible using MAP gas torch
What powder is added to eslilly melt
Why did he add lead
Cupelling it was a smart move!
Amazing ❤
Interesting stuff usually you just see peeps doing it with torch
Indeed Dig. Use what you have and for me, the furnace worked quite well!
That was neat! Borax has so many uses! I wonder what makes it a good flux?
Borax is quite handy. In my application, it helps to lower the melting point of gold and helps to keep the gold insulated and molten while pouring.
Okay so why not show the XRF results?
Because it has not been xrf'd yet. It's probably around 21k maybe a bit more if lucky
Awesome poor there at the end that button looks cool. I was wondering if you had a computer chip gold that was still in its flaky state are you able to smelt it down with flux in the state that it's in and pour a button? Cuz I have 38 g of computer chip gold that I wanted to try this same process
Have you already removed the "gold foils" from the gold chips and fingers?
Yes sir it's been removed from the fingers and looks like a little foil chips now
So yeah I have a 38 Graham pile of flaky foily looking gold
@@jeremycanterohioprospecting You should be able to melt that down into a button no problem! I would think that a static furnace such as the one I use in the video would work perfectly. A torch melt or propane funace melt would likely blow the thin foils all over the place.
Muy Bonita!
What temp did you pour and how long was it there
Same
Where did the lead go ?
It gets absorbed into the cupel.
Cool. What do you do with the gold after that? Do you save it?
I typically sell the gold when I feel the spot price is acceptable. I need to continually fund my gold getting adventures!
Nice gold
So what happened to the lead?
So nice
Which xrf gun do you use?
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 Stars!
It is a Rand. My buddy owns it.
The background noise from your generator was very annoying. Having said that, good video. What is the sponge gold from, which video do I watch for the info? Thanks and looking forward to the next update! 🙂🇨🇦
Thanks Mike. Yeah, I know. I edited the heck out of that footage in an effort to remove the gen noise. Next time, I'm def stringing the gen out 75+ ft away! This particular sponge came dredge cons that you will see soon. We had to retort the gold due to its Hg content.
Why cant u sell at as placer....too many impurities. Im on to some good ore bodies up here in Maine....would u b interested in a colab to open a mine
That was so informative. Good stuff, how do I get in touch with yall guys?
Whatever happened to the claim you were working on last year where you were shoveling out and throwing waste out of the opening? Also you took samples out of the vein cross section. Might have been two claims, not sure.
Hey Kim, Yes I have many claims and am continually working on them. That particular mine you are referencing has been a huge project of mine. The surface vein is nice and large with some free milling gold. At that site, I am currently working on reopening a 120 year old shaft to see if I can find some of the legendary 20oz/t ore that they were pulling back then.
Nice
Did I miss something about sponge gold? Never heard of it.
Sponge gold can refer to a variety of gold types. Crystalline, pockety, non solid lumps of gold can be called sponge gold. Precipitate from gold refining can be termed sponge gold and most frequently sponge gold refers to Hg coated gold that has to be treated to remove the Hg. This gold we had to run through a retort. Throughout that process the gold turn very dull brown orange and lumpy. It doesn't even look like gold. The quickest way to bring back the gold luster is by melting.
It is a gold nugget with lots of air gaps in it. Looks like a sponge. way lighter than a solid gold nugget.
Seems to me like properly roasting this sulfides makes all the difference in the world.
It sure does!
From what I've seen the best way to melt it is induction heating... bar none.... Melts in seconds.... Clean easy efficient and fast...
Cool. This part should be a breeze for me at least as I was already an experienced knifemaker working with complex modern high alloy martensitic stainless steels and everything before I took up prospecting more seriously.
So already have alot of good equipment for this part. Including several forges both gas or charcoal/coal. And especially a real good really accurate (and really expensive) high temp digital electrical kiln/oven which should be great for this.
(The latter is a must for good stainless steel heat treating and all. Which is hella complex and tricky and requiring lots of knowledge and expensive, complex equipment compared to simple carbon steel.btw haha )
And have borax haha.
Just need a new crucible and those tongs to hold it I guess, and a mold.
Though I've seen people use potatoes and a blowtorch haha which work ok but, I'm a little more fussy with my work. ))
And some more research. ))
Would you recommend just a small graphite crucible and mould?
Something in your yard needs a serious tune up
Damn if I only had a furnace at home.
Move the f'en generator, or get a quite one.
Gold
❤❤
That damn generator lol
That was cool... or hot ...
Very hot and cool at the same time!! ;)
Cubre
Looks more like you are smelting dirt.
Fucking amazing man!
Using too much borax
Yes correct man
This is the opposite of an ASMR Video, nice gold though.
What do you think about a asmr vid deep down in a mine shaft?
_===_
28.35 grams is an ounce. So 30 is over. lol