Gold is a precious metal that most people dream of finding. It is found in many types of rocks. But some give hints of its presence more than others. For example, rocks that are transparent can contain gold. These include quartz and sylvanite.
Rocks that contain gold are usually igneous or metamorphic. But they sometimes part their gold with sedimentary rocks. This can be due to hydrothermal processes or erosion.
Schist
Schist (/
Gneiss is a type of rock that forms when schist is further metamorphosed. It is similar to schist in many ways, but gneiss has a more distinctive mineral banding. Geologists use a number of different criteria to differentiate schist from other rock types, including its foliation and mineral composition. It can also form in different grades, with a higher grade indicating a more intense metamorphic process.
A schist’s unique textured appearance is its most identifiable trait. It is composed of a thin sheetlike mineral matrix, which binds together other minerals in the rock. The matrix typically contains platy minerals like muscovite, biotite and chlorite, which are elongated and oriented parallel to one another. The matrix is also frequently flecked with larger crystals of bulky minerals, such as quartz and feldspar.
In the case of schist, these large gemstone minerals are a sign that it is being metamorphosed into a gneiss. They also provide a good place to look for gold, which can occur in a quartz reef within the schist.
Schists are created when plates from the earth’s crust collide, either pushing under, into or over a continent. The pressure and temperature changes are what give the rock its striations. Schists can be made up of a variety of sedimentary parent rocks, including limestones, marbles and shales. They can also be formed from igneous rocks, such as granites and diorite.
Quartz
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on earth and is found on every continent. It forms a wide range of crystals in many colors and shapes. Its crystals can be transparent or opaque. It is very durable and often takes a good polish. It has been a favorite gemstone since ancient times and is the most common rock used to make faceted gems such as amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz and agate. It is also a popular rock to use for cutting edge tools, such as sandpaper, saws and grinding stones.
Gold is sometimes seen within quartz, most commonly in the form of pyrite (fool’s gold) or within milky or cloudy quartz. This type of gold can be difficult to find because it is usually microscopic and not readily visible without a microscope. The best place to find this kind of gold is in quartz veins that have been formed by hydrothermal activity. Look for these types of gold in the cracks and fissures of these rocks.
When gold-bearing fluids flow into these fractures and cracks, they will pick up dissolved gold along the way. These fluids are produced deep within the planet and are often brought to the surface by hot springs, geysers and other volcanic activity.
It is not uncommon for these gold-quartz veins to be associated with other igneous and metamorphic rocks as well as sedimentary deposits. Some of these occurrences are considered ‘gold-quartz-veins’ while others are classified as separate formations because they were deposited at different temperatures.
Most quartz deposits are found in the form of sandstone, shale and slate. However, they can also be found in a variety of other rock types such as schist, gneiss, rhyolite and limestone.
Many people who are prospecting for gold may not know that the common mineral, quartz, can contain this precious metal. It is possible to find gold in quartz by using a geology hammer and sledge to break open the rock and then panning for any flakes or nuggets that may be present. This is a very time-consuming way to prospect for gold but it can be rewarding if successful.
Slate
Slate is a metamorphic rock that forms when sedimentary shale undergoes low-grade pressure and heat for geologically long periods of time. Slate usually has a dull luster and can be colored grey, black, green, purple, or blue. It may contain the minerals mica, muscovite, chlorite, quartz, and hematite. It also has a structure that gives it the ability to break into thin layers. Slate’s cleavage is layered, and the parallel alignment of minerals makes it possible for it to split evenly along its planes, creating slate tiles and slabs. It can also be broken into thinner pieces that can be used as a roofing material or for writing.
The rock is most commonly found in Europe, although it is also mined in Canada and in parts of America. It’s not the same as the eponymous slate used for roofing, but it’s similar in appearance. In England, a single piece of this rock is called a writing slate, and it’s traditionally framed in wood and used with chalk as a notepad or notice board, especially for recording charges at pubs and inns.
One of the best things about this type of rock is that it’s good for preserving fossils, even delicate ones. This is because it is formed under relatively low temperatures and pressure, making it an ideal candidate for metamorphism. However, the foliation pattern of slate can shear or distort these fossils when the rock cleaves.
If you have a slate rock, you can use a variety of nondestructive visual inspections and tests to see if it contains gold. These include a gold streak test, a hardness test, and a magnetism test. A gold streak test involves scratching the rock against a piece of unglazed ceramic like a kitchen tile. Genuine gold leaves a golden streak, while fool’s gold leaves a greenish-black streak.
If you’re unsure about what a rock looks like, or you’re not confident enough to perform these tests, you can take it to an assayer. They’re professionals that have been trained to identify rocks and minerals, and they can tell you all sorts of information about your rock including its gold content.
Malachite
Malachite is a secondary copper mineral that has vivid green and sometimes darker banded tones. It can be found alone or mixed with azurite, another boldly colored copper carbonate. A combination of the two minerals is referred to as azurmalachite. Malachite was mined in antiquity and used to adorn statues and ornaments of the ancient world as well as for jewelry. It became popular with the Russian Romanoff dynasty who commissioned large gilded malachite columns and encased walls to adorn their palaces. Today most malachite comes from Africa but it is also found in Australia, Russia and the state of Arizona.
Spiritually, malachite is believed to be a protective stone that can shield us from negative energies and attract positive ones. It is considered to balance and open the heart chakra, allowing one to love more freely and deeply. It is also linked to the throat chakra, empowering the voice and encouraging freedom of expression.
In physical healing, malachite is believed to alleviate stomach ailments and lower blood pressure. It can also aid in balancing mood swings and helping people deal with stress, depression or anxiety. It can help with menstrual issues and is considered a natural birthstone for pregnant women. It is also said to be helpful with facilitating labour, alleviating pain from arthritis or other swollen joints, and treating asthma and other respiratory conditions.
It is thought to boost the immune system and help with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and other chronic inflammatory diseases. It is also used to treat cancer, swollen glands and other hormonal imbalances. It can be used to soothe anxiety and panic attacks and alleviate feelings of sadness or grief.
Like other gemstones, malachite is prized for its beauty and can be fashioned into earrings, necklaces and rings. It is often paired with sterling silver which enhances its vibrant green color. It is also used in energy healing practices as it can cleanse and heal the earth’s energy and can be infused with positive energy through smudging with sage or palo santo. Malachite is also commonly paired with clear quartz for its ability to amplify healing properties.