found a few small nuggets, how to clean?

[bonza]

as the title says

I've been doing ok lately finding small nuggets of 5-10 grams in size and now have a small vegemite jar full

all have a bit of host rock attached and when you scratch it a powdery cement like crap scrapes off s0 its not quartz or solid rock

my question is, can something like spirits of salts be used to clean these nuggets up with?

or is there something else that can be used

[Rowdy]

Hi bonza, Spirits of salts or brickies acid can be used to clean them ok. Depending on what is attached to them may take from a few days to many weeks to clean them. I personally use mag wheel or aluminium cleaner which also can take a few weeks to clean them.
5-10 gram nuggets you are doing well would love to see a before and after pic of those.

[bonza]

had a hunch spirits of salts would do the trick.
just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to dissolve the gold, haha

thanks for tip

ps, will post photos once I know how

[mushmouse]

Depending on the Geology and sediment occurrences of the area, there are different types of contaminants and sulphides that can adhere to gold. Using the wrong product to clean the nuggets could dissolve the Au.
To ensure this doesn't happen, let me know Exactly where this placer gold is being sourced from so I can advise on the correct solution to use...

Feel free to PM me ..

[nuggethill]

Don't mix your acids or you will never see the gold again

it's called "aqua regia" sorry can't remember how to spell it

regards  Harry

[marked]

Aqua Regia (Royal Water) is a mixed solution of Hydrochloric and Nitric acids - the only thing the alchemists found that would dissolve gold. Had a play with some when I was in the etching game (NOT on gold).