The Characteristics of Gold

The most important characteristic of gold that will help a prospector become more successful in locating it is learning about gold’s specific gravity and density. This means the specific weight of gold in relationship with other material. Gold is 19.3 times heavier than water. This means in other words that it is around two times the density of lead or silver. In other words, the same amount of gold weighs around two times that of lead or silver. Therefore, one square block of gold that is around one foot by one foot, would weight around 1,200 pounds, while the same size square of silver would only weigh half that amount, in other words 600 pounds. This is very important information for prospectors that are seeking and looking for gold given that gold will sink down to the lowest place as it can because the simple force of gravity. In cases where gold is in bedrock it sinks down with time unless it has become trapped or caught by a rock depression or crevice. Detectors are not able to sense targets that are very deep down in many feet of gravel and sand that can be found in most of the bigger streams and rivers. However, when the water in these types of areas goes down during certain times of the year, it is possible to search in the exposed cracks of the bedrock. Because gold is heavy it has a tendency of moving down stream and deep. Water helps move the gold down especially running water such as streams, rain runoff and the rain. Usually rain will move it downwards and will cause silt and rocks to go over it and then wash the silt and rocks off of it. When the water stops moving, the gold stops moving as well. If the gold has bumped into something solid when it is in movement, it will usually just remain in that spot. Prospectors will need to take these things into consideration when prospecting in these types of areas and will need to think about where the gold has become hidden. Just like with other sports and hobbies, prospecting is one that requires the hunter to know the habits of that which he is going after. The type of land that is in connection and related with gold is a highly technical subject and is something that can be looked into and thoroughly studied by those interested in getting into prospecting more seriously. There is a great amount of information that can be found out about it though and if you have your mind set on this type of prospecting, we highly suggest you take the time to study this aspect.