Many people have jewelry containing precious metals. When the price of gold goes up substantially, the value of the gold in the jewelry can often be more than you can receive in the open market for the jewelry itself. Companies that will purchase the jewelry for the gold in them will often pay only a fraction of the true value of gold in the piece. As a result, you might want to learn to separate the gold yourself so that you can trade the gold at market rates.
The process of separating the gold from jewelry is known as refining. This is not unlike the process used to separate different hydrocarbons from crude oil using heat. It can be done at home by yourself provided that you have the right tools on hand and keep your own safety at the top of your mind. There are a variety of different methods that can be used to refine gold. This article will briefly discuss the aqua regular method which is one of the easiest to carry out in practice.
The first thing you need is to purchase a crucible made of graphite. These are meant to withstand high temperatures without reacting to the substances melted inside. You will
want to put your jewelry in the crucible to begin the refining process. This should then be placed on a fireproof surface.
The next step is to melt the gold. Get an acetylene torch and apply the flame directly to the gold in the crucible. Continue this process until the gold is completely melted.
When the gold has finished melting then pick up the crucible with crucible tongs and pour out the metal onto a fireproof surface. If you have a piece of jewelry larger than a ring you will need to separate the gold into smaller pieces before allowing them to cool. This is to keep the amount of surface area relative to the total volume high for later processing steps. This process is often referred to as “making shot.”
You will need Pyrex Vision Ware pots or large heavy gauge plastic for the next step of the process. For each ounce of gold that you are refining, you will need at least 300 milliliters of volume. Place the gold in the container somewhere outdoors with plenty of ventilation.
Next you want to prepare yourself to deal with the acid you will be pouring over the gold. It is important to be careful here since you will be using a strong acid that can burn holes through most materials, including your skin. Put on a pair of thick rubber gloves to protect your hands. Then put on a large rubber apron to protect your body and clothing. Breath through a plastic mask to protect you from inhaling noxious fumes produced by the acid. Finally, make sure you wear goggles to prevent acid from spilling in your eyes.
Once you are properly attired for the job, get a bottle of nitric acid and carefully pour 30 milliliters of the solution to each ounce of gold in the container. Once you have finished pouring the acid, let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes. Next add 120 milliliters of hydrochloric acid to the container. You can also use muriatic acid if you find hydrochloric acid hard to come by. Once you have finished pouring allow the mixture to sit overnight. By morning, most of the acid fumes should have left the vicinity of the container.
When this step is finished get another larger Pyrex container and carefully pour the acid solution into it. Be careful not to pour the gold out with it. The acid solution should have a clean color to it. If the solution is dark, you will likely want to filter the solution prior to pouring it into the container.
Measure out one pound of urea and add it to a quarter of water. Heat this container until the water reaches the boiling point. Make sure you are wearing the appropriate protective gear again, and slowly add the water to the acid you removed earlier. If you add the water too fast the acid will boil over. This mixture will neutralize the nitric acid.
Next acquire a commercial selective gold precipitant and add about an ounce of precipitate for each ounce of gold you are trying to refine it to a quart of water. Bring this water to a boil as before. Add this to the acid mixture slowly. Wait thirty minutes for the solution to begin to separate the gold particles. Test the liquid by taking a drop and putting it on a paper towel and testing with a precious metal detection solution. If it turns purple, then wait and test again. Once it runs clear, pour the acid into a new container. Do not pour off the mud at the bottom of the mixture.
Add tap water to the muddy substance remaining. Stir the water, and wait a bit. Then pour the water into the container with the acid. Repeat this three to four times. Then add aqua ammonia to the muddy mixture. Then rinse this with distilled water. Finally, pour off all the liquid.
Heat a beaker with the mud on a hot plate until it appears as a powder like substance. Then put this onto several layers of paper towels prior to dipping in alcohol. Then return the mud to the crucible and melt it once more. If this is done properly, then you should be left with 99% pure gold that can be poured into any mold. You now have pure gold bars ready to be traded.
For more information on gold refinement visit the Facebook page of Republic Metals.
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