No topic in earth science has consumed as many headlines and inspired more imagination as turning lead into gold. Whether you believe the information can be transformed into a precious metal by mining or alchemy, there is no question that the myth continues to captivate, promising riches beyond your wildest dreams. With this in mind, several companies have attempted to make the dream a reality – or at least one that doesn’t require too much effort. The idea of finding buried treasures in your backyard sounds tempting and easy.
1. Create Your Rock
The first thing you need to do when attempting this transformation is to find the rock that will convert your lead. Some of the best rocks include hematite, galena, and magnetite. Many of these rocks are already lying around your house and can be quickly introduced into an experiment. When choosing a stone, ensure it is as pure as possible – this will ensure the lead conversion process goes smoothly.
2. Heat and Grind
The next step is to heat and grind the rock. Look at your stone of choice and determine which side will be the top. Rub this side on a rough object, such as sandpaper or steel wool, until you achieve coarse, black powder. You can crush the rock with a hammer or by placing it in a vise. Don’t worry if you don’t have time to create an even powder; it still works if you don’t use enough force.
3. Add Salt
Your next step is to add Salt, preferably common table salt. It will help speed up the process and make your experiment more effective. The reason for adding Salt is that it can increase the electrical conductivity between the rocks, increasing efficiency in your transformation. It’s recommended that you add anywhere from 5-10% of common table salt to the rock, depending on the rock you are using.
4. Add Ammonium Chloride
Once the Salt has been added, you are almost ready for your transformation attempt. The next item is ammonium chloride – when added to the mixture, it will help separate the ions within the rock and further increase electrical conductivity between the rocks. Once this is done, you’ll be ready to begin heating your mixture and waiting for gold! 5. Heating
Once you have created your rock and added the ammonium chloride, it’s time to heat the mixture. The best heating method is in an electric furnace, but you can also use a stove or even a microwave if you are pressed for time (although this isn’t recommended). Be sure to check for results after each heating cycle.
5. Cooling
As soon as the lead melts, it’s time to cool your mixture. The best way to cool the mix is by re-adding Salt to the rock. It will help keep the lead in a molten state so that you can control heating it. The reason for adding Salt after each cycle is explained earlier – it will increase conductivity and help create an even more effective mixture.
6. Filter
The next step is to filter your mixture to remove the lead ions. You can use various methods, but the easiest would be a coffee filter or a piece of paper towel. Once you have filtered your mixture, cool it off, then repeat the heating and cooling cycles.
7. Separate the Lead Ions
Once you’ve filtered your mixture, it will be time to separate the lead and gold ions. The best method for separation is by using a magnet – you’ll want to place as much of your mixture as possible on one side of a page and then use interest on the other. The interest will pull out any gold particles and hold them in place.
The process of transforming lead into gold may be a difficult one, but it is not impossible. If you follow these steps and you’re patient, you will eventually be able to turn your lead into gold. Remember that the process can take anywhere from 24 hours to several months, depending on how much time and effort you put into it. The best way to analyze them is by using a chemical test kit. By adding different chemicals to the gold, you can determine its authenticity.
