gus in idaho Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 I found this nugget last year, and before any cleaning was done It weighed in at 110 grams.After soaking it in CLR, Lime away, and scrubbing it several times with a toothbrush it weighed 93 grams.This piece has broken out of a rich vein and not traveled very far. The host rock is not very pretty and it has dulled the appearance of this nugget. I had always wanted to use Hydrofluoric acid on it, but after reading all the warnings, side affects, and scary things affiliated with the highly toxic stuff I have stayed away from it.Then a good friend of mine, Mark M. told me about a product that you can buy at hardware stores called WINK.It is actually used for the removal of rust stains, and contains a very diluted solution of 1-3% hydrofluoric acid.He told me it would take some time, but it works.... He was right.This stuff is still very lethal, and if used should be handled with care.After 6 weeks of soaking it, 99% of the rock has been dissolved away, leaving me with a beautiful crystalline nugget, now weighing 84 grams.There was also a smaller 2.5 gram nugget I found right next to it that fits perfectly. I was thinking about gluing it, or maybe even having a jeweler soder it back in place.Happy hunting everyone, Wish I could get out. I have been trapped in town for the past couple of months.Gus- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~LARGO~ Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 Hi Gus,Really nice stuff, well worth the wait too see it nice and clean, wasn't it?Thanks for sharing!Give me a call when you can, if you have a few minutes...Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin nuggethunting Posted April 30, 2008 Admin Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 Hello Gus, Great before and after shot. One beautiful gold nugget you have there. I've found a couple of specimens that have some ugly host rock or even rotten looking quartz, so I might try some of that solution on mine in the future. I'm in the same boat, working a lot of hours right now. Wish I could get out more and play with the new GPX-4500. Wishing you the best out there,Rob Allison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5150 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Mr Gus: What a beautiful specimen. Great pic's Thanks for sharing.5150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shep Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I wouldn't glue or have them soldered together, are you crazy? Shep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gus in idaho Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Hey Guys, thanks for you comments.Yeah I kind of thought it might be silly to try and connect the smaller piece back in, but it really makes the nugget look more complete with it in there. I will leave it be for now. Gus- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Gus,That is some really nice gold. No way would I solder those together. Hope you find more this year. Take care.Cheers,Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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