Gold Gravity test

[Hoser John]

With the metal detecting craze hitting the nation I thought this might help save some righteous specimens from getting smashed to find out how much gold they contain-John
The Specific Gravity Test (used to calculate the gold content of gold nuggets that contain a rr of gold and other materials) In this example of the specific gravity test, we use gold mixed wi quartz. Simply put, the formula is 3.1 x the weight in water, minus 1.9 x the weight in air:
Wet nugget weighs 74.5 grams x 3.1 = 230.95 Dry nugget weighs 96 grams x 1.9 = 182.4
230.95 - 182.4 = 48.55
31.1 = number of grams per ounce
48.55 / 31.1 = 1.56 ounces of gold
..
Original dry weight = 96 grams / 31.1 = 3.08 ounces. Subtract the difference between the wet and the dry:
3.08 ounces - 1.56 ounces = 1.52 ounces. Therefore what is left is 1.52 ounces of quartz.
"Wet" = weight in water - Put container of water (enough water to cover nugget) on scale. Ta (zero) out scale. Hang nugget by string in water. Note weight.
The specific gravity for gold is 19.3.
The specific gravity for quartz is 2.65.
The ratio between gold and quartz is 7.28 X.
What is specific gravity? Specific gravity is simply the weight in grams of one cubic centimet metal. Here are specific gravities and other properties of a few more metals:

Metal Symbol Specific Gravity Melting Point (°F) Melting Point
(°c>
Copper Cu 8.96 1981 1083
Gold Au 19.32 1945 1063
Iron Fe 7.87 2802 1539
Lead Pb 11.34 621 327
Nickel Ni 8.90 2651 1455
Palladium Pd 12.00 2831 1555
Platinum Pt 21.45 3224 1773
Silver Ag 10.49 1761 961

http://www.gold-nuggets.org/^piedfic-gravity-test.htm

5/8/04

[russau]

John thanks for the link to that site! very interesting! as Sgt. Shultz used to say!

[Hoser John]

The reason I posted was a ol'aquaintance just smashed/bashed/crunched down a magnificent specimen that was over 2 oz before he did the ungodly deed. He brought over a pic with the ungodly mess and I didn't even want to see it. He sold a ounce+ for scrap value ($660+) and I woulda bought easily for $1,800 intact but I was out mining a few days ago so he decided he couldn't wait so crunch......sic sic sic instant gratification generation John

[russau]

Hes got tobe kicking himself for that!

[Ornery Cuss]

Dang HoJo I know you taught him better than that, did you take a shovel handle to him and adjust the attitude ?


OC

[Hoser John]

Tempting but nope as soooooooooooooooo many folks so broke right now and he's one just trying not to lose his home as was supporting his 3 generation family dredging,no no more-sic sic sic world-John

[Ornery Cuss]

Yep I get the broke thing, but common, giving away $1200.00 or more, that kills me and others aswell