adam Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Scored this Native Element recently ... 19 grams :ph34r2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paseclipse Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Silver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcache Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Silver?Any platinum nuggets in AZ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Any platinum nuggets in AZ?That was my thought as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 My guess also is Pt. It is found in Arizona much to my surprise. http://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=3236&ld=1#themapSteve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Platinum in ArizonaCircular No. 3, August, 1980by Ken A. Phillips, Chief EngineerPlatinum (in reality the entire platinum group of elements) has been and continues to be the subject of much discussion among miners in Arizona. Do the metals exist in Arizona? Are they in mineable quantities, if they do exist? Are they now produced? What is the significance of the reports of theft of platinum from Inspiration Copper Company?The platinum group of metals comprises platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium, of which platinum is the most important. Of these metals, osmium is generally alloyed with iridium. The platinum group metals occur chiefly as natural alloys of various proportions and to a much lesser extent as sulfides and arsenides. All of these metals are rare and expensive. They possess individual properties that make them uniquely attractive for certain uses in highly developed technology and for use in jewelry and for decorative purposes.Platinum and palladium are the most abundant and most widely used of the group; the other four metals are mainly used as alloy modifiers with platinum or palladium. The high melting points, corrosion resistance, and catalytic properties of these metals have many industrial applications.There has been minor past production of the platinum group metals from California and Alaska, but present domestic production, mostly as a by-product in the refining of copper, is insignificant when compared with domestic consumption.Do the platinum group metals exist in rocks in Arizona?The answer to this question is a qualified, "Yes." Tiny or trace amounts of the platinum group elements are distributed throughout the earth's crust. The average is reported to be about 0.00016 troy ounces per ton for platinum and about twice that for palladium. The others are about five times as rare as platinum. The platinum group elements are found mostly in geologic association with mafic and ultramafic rocks, such as peridotite, norite, and dunite. They may also be found in placer deposits derived from such rocks, if the rocks carried the minerals.Ultramafic rocks are very uncommon in Arizona. Thus, it is probable that the average platinum group element content of rocks in Arizona would be less than the crustal average for the world. However, the geologic history of Arizona encompasses a few billion years and the possibility of the past occurrence of such rocks containing platinum elements, does exist. If such rocks have been destroyed through weathering or alteration, it is conceivable that contained platinum mineral grains might find their way into a lens of schist or placer gravels. This could result in the rare detection of platinum in an assay sample and the fact that subsequent samples from the same location would not necessarily show platinum group elements.Do the platinum minerals occur in mineable quantities, if they do exist?The answer to this question is a qualified, "No." To our knowledge there has never been production of platinum from Arizona. The definition of ore is rock that can be mined and will yield its valuable mineral at a profit. To be classified as platinum ore, the platinum content would have to make up a significant portion of the value of the ore. The recovery of trace amounts of platinum group metals from other ores in the final stages of refining does not make the rock platinum ore. Although no one can predict the future, the present knowledge of the geology, mineralogy and economics of platinum and Arizona are not conducive to the discovery of producible quantities of platinum group metal ores in Arizona.Are platinum group metals now produced from newly mined rock (not platinum ore) in Arizona?The answer is, "Yes." Platinum group elements are recovered from anode slimes produced during the refining of copper. Emphasis must be placed on the term "refining" of copper. Slimes are not produced at the smelter stage of copper production. In addition, the process must be electrolytic and not fire refining.As an example, one ton of anode slimes is recovered from 178,200 tons of ore at the electrolytic refinery of Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company at Inspiration, Arizona. At this rate, the following figures can be calculated based on known concentration ratios and recoveries (custom ore to the refinery is also included in this calculation):66 tons of copper ore = 1 ton of copper concentrate3 tons of concentrate(198 tons of ore) = 1 ton of copper anode900 tons of anode (178,200 tons of ore) = 1 ton of cathode slime2 tons of slime(356,400 tons of ore) = 1 ounce of platinumIn addition to the platinum, some palladium and other precious metals are recovered. By extrapolation, the copper ore assays as follows:Platinum = 0.0000029 tr. oz/ton of orePalladium = 0.000029 tr. oz/ton of oreGold = 0.0026 tr. oz/ton of oreSilver = 0.025 tr. oz/ton of oreCopper = 0.5% or l0 lb/ton of oreSuch values of platinum, palladium and gold are determined by mathematical extrapolation because they are too low in value to assay directly by normal methods. It is safe to assume then that if this concentration of platinum, palladium, gold and silver did not happen automatically during refining (purification of copper), it would not and could not be recovered.What is the significance of the theft of platinum from Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company?The media has been publishing (May -July, 1980) reports of copper and platinum thefts worth millions of dollars from Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company. Included specifically in the reports is the theft of 4899 ounces of platinum. In a report from Inspiration dated June 26, 1980, data was supplied on a reported theft of platinum from their laboratory. Quoting that report: "On November 18, 1974, 48.99 ounces of platinum, in the form of a platinum cathode, was stolen from the Analytical Lab." This may be where 4899 ounces reported in the newspapers came from if a decimal point was forgotten.The same report went on to say that if all the platinum were extracted from the anode slimes produced by Inspiration, it would take 167 years to recover 5,000 troy ounces of platinum. The platinum, palladium, gold and silver are extracted from the slimes at custom refiners outside of Arizona.In Summary 1. Platinum and platinum group elements do occur in Arizona. 2. They are not known to occur in sufficient concentration to justify their mining. 3. They are recovered, but only when concentrated nearly 200,000 times in a process that is necessary to refinement of copper. (If the anode could be used without electrolytic refining, the precious metals would not be worth recovering.) 4. The report of a theft of large amount of platinum from Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company appears to be a typographical error. Platinum group metals will continue to be the subject of discussion and arguments among Arizona miners. The platinum group metals have very high prices and it is the dream of most prospectors to find ores of very valuable minerals. That dream encourages prospectors to keep looking and that is how valuable mineral deposits are found. However, an erroneous report of high concentrations of platinum group metals (or any other metals, if in error) in ores will cause a prospector to spend nonproductive time and money trying to prove a mine or develop exotic extraction methods. When that happens, everyone loses, especially the prospector. The prospector should always double or triple check assay reports showing ore grade concentration of platinum group metals.Erroneous reports of the presence of platinum group metals often stem from the difficulties in detecting them. Assays for platinum and palladium, even for amounts that could constitute ore, are much more difficult to determine than for gold. Even reliable and experienced assayers have been deceived into reporting nonexistent platinum. On the other hand, it is not likely to be missed if present and looked for.A number of metals and minerals have been mistaken for platinum group metals due to some of their properties. Among them are "chilled" birdshot (lead alloyed with arsenic), lead fragments from other sources, specular hematite in small flakes, and old amalgam. Any of these materials may be found in some panned concentrates. If the sample has been roasted in the presence of carbon, metallic iron or other metals may have been formed and might be reported as platinum. All of these materials may be surprisingly resistant to acid tests. Even some gold-silver alloys are nearly insoluble in aqua regia.Because of the difficulty in detecting the platinum group metals and because of their probable scarcity in Arizona and elsewhere, caution is advised in accepting any unconfirmed reports of their presence.Department Mining & Exploration Recreation & Education Publications Digital Library Services Other Resources About the Department Mining And Mineral Museum - see Arizona Historical Society Newsletter Archive Calendar Contact Us Map FAQ Reference Library Holdings Annual Mineral Production and Mining Activity Arizona Mining Companies Mineral Rights and Mining Claims Mineral Commodities, Production, and Prices Assaying Mining Scams Gold Panning Rock Hounding Earth Science Clubs Arizona Mineral Shows Suggested Reading Mine Tours and Overlooks Mineral and Mining Museums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 Hey Guys , I sure wish it was Platinum, but it has tarnished, and seems far lighter than say , gold of the same size. Im going with Native Silver..It also has root beer colored quartz host in it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Hey Guys , I sure wish it was Platinum, but it has tarnished, and seems far lighter than say , gold of the same size. Im going with Native Silver..It also has root beer colored quartz host in it as well.Have seen some nice silver nuggets from AZ, you are probably right about it being silver. Platinum would have been nice as well... :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick in Havasu Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Adam, I don't know much about the rarity of your nugget, but by reading the posts here, I'm sure you are rightly very proud of your find.....Great job,Patrick in Havasu..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Scott Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Whatever it is, (my guess is Silver) it's a kick butt find! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank c Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Nice find Adam wish I had the time to be in the field lately like you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gripper Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Nice find. Based on the responses, this seems like it it more rare than a gold nugget. (?) Is this true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homefire Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Looks like it was HORN SILVER and got Tumbled in the Creek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted January 26, 2011 Author Share Posted January 26, 2011 Thanks guys ---- It was a cool find for sure...the piece will make a fine specimen for the mineral cabinet. It just sounded like a big piece of shallow trashNice find. Based on the responses, this seems like it it more rare than a gold nugget. (?) Is this true?Gripper, I can only speak from personal experience. The silver nuggets are very rare for me. I have only found two that I remember. I have also only seen a couple found by hunting partners. The last one was small and in host stone. If silver was 1500.00 an ounce then there may be more enthusiasm to find silver, but gold will always be prettier anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Ron Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Yo Adam, have you tried a streak on it? Sure looks interesting. I have found similar nuggets that were platinum up in N. CA but they were very nuggety and rounded, creek worn. Whatever, that's a nice piece and I'm sure it's not lead...Cheers, Yer Unc in the Dubyah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Hey Unc! I did do a streak and it is a whitish metalic shiny ...Which sounds more like Silver. I am goin to take it to a local jeweler/ rockhound next week probably . Maybe he can test the purity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Platinum weighs about twice as much as silver does and even a little more then gold. So that would be a good clue.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSalt Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Really cool, and it certainly does look natural. I almost always find what I assume is little pieces of lead in my pan from shooters, and I toss them. However, I worry that I could be tossing mercury covered gold, or silver, etc.Occasionally, I can tell that find is man made, but at other times no. Anyone know of a way to distinguish whether or not something is lead, platinum, silver, or mercury covered gold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcache Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Really cool, and it certainly does look natural. I almost always find what I assume is little pieces of lead in my pan from shooters, and I toss them. However, I worry that I could be tossing mercury covered gold, or silver, etc.Occasionally, I can tell that find is man made, but at other times no. Anyone know of a way to distinguish whether or not something is lead, platinum, silver, or mercury covered gold?Don't know about the others but here is a weird one for silver.FRENCH BRAND YELLOW MUSTARD TEST. Other bright metals will not turn black like silver.Apply a very small drop of mustard.heat mustard with match, sun etc..If dark black stain results then it is silver.The silver sulfide can be cleaned off easily with vinegar.Hope this is worth more than 2 cents.Bill c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlakMagnet Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 good tip, interesting too. :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: Thanks,Flak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcache Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 good tip, interesting too. :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: Thanks,FlakAll right Flak!! I'll send you a bill for 5 cents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGTFDA Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 AdamI have a G-XL-18 electronic gold tester that also tests platinum. I just ordered some new gell for it. We ever run into each other I can test it for you. One thing about silver it transfers heat like crazy. Lean over a hot oven with a silver necklace on and it instantly gets hot. If you get a gold acid test kit they include one for silver.Up at Richmond Basin up above Globe they found silver nuggets big a 500 pounds back in the late 1800's. They picked up tons just off the ground. Silver nuggets were not rare there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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