Treating Specimen Nuggets

I picked these specimen nuggets up a few days ago and I have treated them in the normal way, 1st. putting them in Hydrochloric Acid for about 5 days ( the biggest one had a lot of iron stone stains on it) then into Alibrite for another 2 days. But I wanted to get the quartz really white so I tried a full strength bleach, and I found out that Domestos, Hospital Grade, Bleach works well, (can be bought at most super markets). I only left them in for 8 hrs and the Quartz turned a lot whiter and clean. I think if you left it in longer you may even get a better results. The big one went 1.7gms, next size 0.3gms, small did not register (these are total weights)








So if you have any spessy's and you want to try and get the quartz that little bit whiter try Domestos or any other strong bleach cleaner.

Wombat

Hi Wombat,
They look really nice.
It seems they were all one bigger stone in previous life.
Love the specimens but have not dig one out yet
Cheers

That's a good tip about the bleach, Wombat. I will have to try it as the gold looks twice as good against white quartz.
Thanks,
Jig

Hey Wombat,

Niiicccee GOLD and thanks for the tips on how to clean it in the quartz. I have a few I will have to clean up. Hope they come out half as good as yours??.

Peter

good stuff wombat
cheers dave

Hello Wombat

Nice job, advice and good gold. Do you have any before photos?

Sorry Presto "NO" I should have but I was thinking on how to get a better clean up when I got the idea of using bleach and that was after I already had them in the acid. If I get another specy I'll do a before and after photo's.
Wombat

Hey guys,

Not sure if you are aware or not, but chlorine based products such as bleaches and domestos will react with gold so be careful. Below is a link about the effects of chlorine on gold leaf, a simple google search will turn up more info.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6809702_effect-chlorine-gold-leaf.html

very nice pieces there wombat..... good tip for my next specky

Proofs in the pudding, Nice job Wombat.
An old geologist friend stated in very harsh headings "If your gold isn't clean" Don't even think about using merc?