Ask the Experts: Big rocks or small cobbles?

January 2014 by Chris Ralph

Ask The Experts—Amalgamation

January 2011
Q: Exactly how does amalgamation work? Does it “melt” the gold (or copper, or silver, etc.) and form an alloy? If one leaves a piece of gold in mercury, will the entire sample become an amalgam (combination) of gold and mercury? Or does it only affect the surface...

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April 2012
Q: Can a voltmeter be used to determine the type of metal/mineral present in soil?

Ask The Experts—Iridium

December 2010
Q: I believe I have found a deposit that contains iridium. What can you tell me about iridium? Are there any tests I can do in the field to confirm it is iridium? How much is iridium worth? Where can I get it assayed? Can I refine it myself?

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May 2014
Setting up a gravity dredge

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October 2014
• Where would I find a map for the Western states on high silica sand deposits?

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July 2014
Can I treat a sample with muriatic acid?

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February 2013
Q: How do metal detectors work around precious metal ore bodies?

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