Last fall I was hunting for gold in an area not known to have produced any gold but did produce other metals in the past. I found evidence of an ancient sluicing operation there looked like to me and then my MXT sounded off with a bang but there was absolutely no meter id indication. I dug one shovel full of rocks and mud and the target disappeared.I sifted the dirt a bit and found a super heavy, fist size black rock that the MXT liked .Still no meter reading on it.I was in prospect mode at the time. Fergot about the other modes.Also, fergot about the rock pick with a magnet on on my belt.My buddy told me to break it open but I just chucked it cause it wasn't yellow. Stupid me, I shoulda known better, should have brought it home to analyze,musta been brain dead, I dunno? Will have to go back for it this year if the spring floods don't catch it. I suspect it weighed at least a pound if not 2 pounds which is a lot for a fist size rock. I tested some cannon ball fragments at home and they all showed -20,-30,-40% iron id readings. A small gold nugget showed +10% or bullet in coin mode. Still can't figger out why that rock showed as nothing on the id meter? I was using prospect mode with the 5 x 10 loop and the rock was in a mud/gravel bar in a limestone river bottom. I found the spot with my map dowsing for gold and my L rods had crossed at this spot on the gravel bar and then I got the reading on the MXT. First time everything clicked for me like this. I had already struck placer gold at 2 unknown spots in Indiana using my map dowsing so felt pretty confident about it.
I have read now of gold nuggets being coated with some sort of manganese or copper oxide coating which turns them black and which must be removed with nitric acid? Spose it coulda been an iron/nickel meteorite too? It was almost the exact shape of my clenched fist with flat sides, no pockets or dimples ,slightly rounded ridges.I know it wasn't galena cause I have plenty of galena nuggets and they are all dark grey, copper nuggets are red or green.
Will be going out soon to look for more of these small heavy black rocks if weather ever gets warmer and drier? Sposed to snow again Sunday.
--Tom
I have read now of gold nuggets being coated with some sort of manganese or copper oxide coating which turns them black and which must be removed with nitric acid? Spose it coulda been an iron/nickel meteorite too? It was almost the exact shape of my clenched fist with flat sides, no pockets or dimples ,slightly rounded ridges.I know it wasn't galena cause I have plenty of galena nuggets and they are all dark grey, copper nuggets are red or green.
Will be going out soon to look for more of these small heavy black rocks if weather ever gets warmer and drier? Sposed to snow again Sunday.
--Tom