Removing Quartz From Gold In Quartz Specimens

Hello

I have some gold in quartz specimens. I'm trying to find a way to remove the quartz from the gold without using hydrofluoric acid.

Does anyone have some suggestions?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum goldfinger123,you obviously want to keep the gold intact??
If not and it's a small speci I usually wrap mine in a bit of cloth and give it a gentle tap or three with a mash hammer.
Most of the time the gold stays intact with minimal damage.
And if you don't care about it smash/dolly and pan it,good luck.


cheers   moredeep

Try heating it with a small propane torch as hot as you can without melting the gold and drop in Ice Cold water, repeat a few times. The old-timer did this before they dollied the specimen. Do a search for ammonium bifluoride Infinitely more safe than HF.