Oxidized gold? Plus, today's stash of coins.:garrett:

[Fabio]

I know they say gold doesn't tarnish, but lower grade gold like 10K or 14K most likely could.
Has anyone ever found a gold ring which was heavily tarnished?

Just to remain on-topic-to-forum, today I dug up three 5 cent coins Italian Kingdom. One from 1928, and the other two from 1942.
Found them stacked one on top of the other in a little stash.
It's what keeps us going, find a coin, and the hunt is a success. Finding more just adds more fun to it.

 

[scott.f]

Yes, low karat gold can and does tarnish in time, especially in alkali or salt water.

 

[Grunter]

I found a 10k that had a heavy tarnish on it that made it look like copper.

 

[John-Edmonton]

I have found old gold rings with tarnish, but just mild. It easily came off with a jeweler's rouge impregnated cloth.

 

[Fabio]

I just finished cleaning a ring I was sure might be gold. I used phosphoric acid and it fizzled a bit and when I dried it off, the paper towel was very black/brown. I then polished it. I tested it for 14K gold and it stunk and fizzled again. Now I'm sure it's gold. No marks, it's an antique ring for sure. I also have the stone that was knocked off of it while in the ground, for who knows how many years or centuries.
It was the weight that got me into thinking it might be gold. Until now, it was in the junk ring section of my finds. Not no more.

 

[mudpuppy]

Fabio, nice haul on the nickel stack! I've found a few tarnished rings in the water that appeared to be gold until the acid got to it...that does not stop me from giving each one a good go to be sure...I've read posts from guys who have found gold rings badly tarnished...
Mud