Testing and more Testing

Probably one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a new prospector is running into what is known as “fool’s gold”. Fool’s gold can look like a lot of little flakes on the bottom of a pan that have an enticing glitter to them, especially when the sun shines on them. In many cases even the dirt on the shovel shines with glittery stuff, before it is even panned, however, don’t let yourself be fooled: most likely you have run into fool’s gold – which is equal to nothing.

Fool’s gold can be one of three minerals, which include iron pyrite, iron copper pyrite or a form of yellowish brown mica. When it is first seen it looks a lot like gold, especially when strong light hits it such as the sun, or when it is seen under water. However, once you have seen what real gold looks like it will not be too difficult to identify which is the real deal and which is the fake. 

Ok, so you probably want to know what real gold looks like right? Well, in first place real gold holds its yellow sheen even in a shadow, but fool’s gold does not do this. This is one of the easiest ways of identifying if what you have found is actually gold or if you have been fooled into fool’s gold. This can be done by examining the pan in the shade rather then in the sun. Simple as that.

Another good point to know is that gold is soft and malleable. This means that it can be cut with a knife and it will not splinter; you can even poke a dent into it with a pin. Fool’s gold on the other hand is flaky and very hard just like mica and if you attempt to cut it, it will either flake or splinter.

There are a few chemical tests that can also be done to determine if something is real gold or if its just fool’s gold. The easiest way is by adding a drop of nitric acid or hydrochloric acid on the sample. If it is real gold, nothing will happen to it, however fool’s gold will react by foaming and will dissolve. Hydrochloric acid, more commonly known as muriatic acid, can easily be found in drug stores or in swimming pool supply stores as well.