How to Clean Gold Nuggets

Although gold nuggets are thought to be shiny and clean when they're panned, they are sometimes quite dirty. They can be covered with impurities like dirt, mud and muck that dull their finish, according to the Arizona Outback website. Cleaning them up, however, is not a difficult task.

Things You'll Need

• Dishwashing liquid
• Unbreakable, watertight jar
• Cookie sheet
• Blow dryer

Instructions

1. Fill the jar halfway with water. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

2. Put the gold nuggets into the jar and replace the lid. Shake the jar vigorously. The dishwashing liquid and the friction of the gold rubbing together will clean the nuggets. It may only take a few minutes if the gold nuggets aren't very dirty, or, if there's a lot of them it in the jar.

3. Rinse the soapy water out of the jar and off the gold nuggets. Make sure the soap is thoroughly rinsed off or it will dull the nuggets' shine.

4. Spread the gold out in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Set it outside to dry. Or use the low heat setting on a blow dryer to dry the gold nuggets.

References

• Gold Gold

Resources

• Cleaning Natural Gold Nuggets
• Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club
• Lornet