Some Colorado Gold

[Glenn in CO]

Dealing with some family issues me, my wife and a group of friends finally made a trip to the central Colorado mountain’s to search for gold specimens on tailing piles that have been productive in the past. Part of the group this was their first time using a detector searching for gold specimens. After a brief overview of the history and different areas to search, we spent some time setting up the different types of detectors to achieve the best results. We then took off in different directions with some partnering up with others for additional instruction. It didn’t take long for the 10,000+ foot altitude to begin taking its toll and the steep terrain limiting the area they wish to search as everyone was cautious for their well-being while detecting. The group detected for three days and four specimens were found.

Here are a few pics showing the wire and leaf gold specimens as found and then cleaned:

Close up of the largest gold specimens:

Couple of us detecting on the tailing piles:

 

[flakmagnet]

Just "wow."

[Randy Lunn]

Jaw dropping beautiful! Congrats!

[1864hatter]

Beautiful location and fantastic gold. I've got a real soft spot for crystalline gold 

[beatup]

That wire specimen is a real beauty.

[GB_Amateur]

Really beautiful pieces!  How did you clean the gangue off the wire gold?  How delicate (vulnerable) is that wire gold now?  Can you give a bit more detail on what detectors found which pieces?

 

[Glenn in CO]

15 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

Really beautiful pieces!  How did you clean the gangue off the wire gold?  How delicate (vulnerable) is that wire gold now?  Can you give a bit more detail on what detectors found which pieces?

 

The host rock was dissolve by hydrofluoric acid, unfortunately I didn't keep an eye on it while cleaning or I would have left a little rock to help stabilize the specimen. There was a smaller piece and a few wires that did not remain intact and may or may not held all together if I would have left some of the host rock. It can be handled but it’s somewhat delicate. Some of the wire gold specimens I found are more rigid and can be handled without a problem. Leaving some host rock in my opinion makes the wire gold specimen a little more interesting to look at.

The gold specimens pictured were ones that I had found and I was using a GMT with the standard coil. The other gold specimen found was a leaf type variety and my friend was using a NOX 800. The others in the group were not as lucky in finding one. Interesting one of the guys had brought a GPX 4500 and could not detect the wire gold specimen, but all of the others who were using a VLF type detector could detect the wire gold specimen.

Here is another wire gold specimen I found in the past in which I left a little of the host rock and limonite (before and after pictures):

 

[beatup]

Sweet

[cobill]

Hi Glenn, 

I've tried in the past to detect tailing piles near Leadville (now OFF limits to detecting) and south of Fairplay...just found lots of trash! Would love to meet you and take a hike up the hills of our beautiful State.

Bill

[Ridge Runner]

Glenn

 That is some beautiful gold you got .

 I see you’re hunting above the tree line . I too have done the same but if you see one small black cloud coming your way best to head for cover. It’s amazing how much lightning comes out of one small cloud.

 The claim I was on was above Granite Co. I think the guys first name was Jim and last time I was there he had it up for sale. Because of that he wouldn’t let you detect anymore.

 Chuck