Does it really matter if gold bullion is contaminated with a little silver? Let's find out!

I recently received a gold bar to re-pour into a Lithic bar. Unfortunately, when I examined the bar, I suspected it might be slightly contaminated with base metals. The bar had a barely perceptible copper huge, with a small dark patch of oxides on one end. I also noticed the bar had scratches that appeared to be made from being rubbed with sandpaper for a file. It this is done to a gold bar, you'd want to make sure the tool used was solely dedicated to be used on gold. Otherwise, it could transfer contaminates. Upon melting the bar, I saw immediate signs of contamination due to oxides forming at the surface of the gold. The only cure is to chemically refine the gold in order to remove any base metals that may have contaminated the bar. The process it obviously more demanding. However, it's the only way to achieve the clean mirror like surface Lithic Metals is known for with its gold bars.
www.lithicmetals.com
#experiment #science #preciousmetals

[@spudhead169]

I'm finding it hard to stay awake while watching these videos. It's not that they're boring, far from it. It's your voice, it's super relaxing to listen to you talk.

[@The_Omegaman]

This guy is the bob ross of refining gold...soothing voice

[@DarBrow]

Really? And duh… uhhh… and duh..,ah, duhhh.

[@Ilyathe2nd]

Sounds a lot like Michael Keaton, I would be fooled!

[@benalfano4533]

Happy gold solution, no floaty partical bits here, and there we go😂😊

[@thesilveraura2177]

It is refreshing to see others like yourself whom have an excellent attention to detail and are committed to excellence.

[@ricklamanen7555]

U don't think a little boring and OVERLY meticulous? 😕😳

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks so much! I'm glad my work speaks to you! 😁

[@LithicMetals]

Shut it, Rick!.... 😂 I'm just playing! Thanks for watching, I appreciate you giving me a chance! I'll try to get better! 😁

[@ricklamanen7555]

U good, honestly was mesmerized n pretty much watched the whole video lol

[@Raaa1111..]

Thank you we try our best to not only show how it should be done but also its what any of us would want our own fulfillment to be accepting not feel like its ok enough but to be just how we would want it

[@bobbrown5460]

I didn't think I take a trip to the mad scientist laboratory this early in the morning, but it shows how labor intensive it is to purify gold or other metals like this. It's amazing really.

[@joshua.snyder]

Those last steps take it to the next level. Well done.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks Joshua! 😁

[@joshschannel4409]

​@@LithicMetals I really like all of your videos. I was wondering where did you get those crucible tongs at?

[@joshl186]

I can’t help but watch every single one of your videos from start to finish. You’re truly an artist Jeff. Your videos are just as awesome as the product you create. Can’t wait to add more Lithic to my collection.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks so much, Josh! You made my day! 😁

[@SgtGold3]

I really appreciate the work and attention to detail put into this pour. I may just have to pick up one of these bars soon.

[@LithicMetals]

I'd be happy to pour you one! Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@MrZionforce]

I absolutely love those pour marks, it's like a finger print. You can safely say just like a finger print or stripes on a tiger that no two pour marks are the same. But the rustic style of the font for the stamping and human feel to your gold bars is mesmerising. I never ever get bored looking at what you do.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback. I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@michaelhammond7115]

It's called piping

[@mdellertson]

What amazing craftsmanship. I never knew how much time, expertise, science, and effort went into making a 1oz gold bar. My Boy Scout leader growing up owned a jewelry store and always left the door open to our troop to learn the art of metallurgy. I wish I had taken him up on that, because after watching your video I see how truly amazing your craft is. Thanks so much for sharing and great work!

[@LithicMetals]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mike! Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@chouseification]

I wish my Scoutmaster was cool like that... mine was a Horticulture Prof at our local University's farm campus. Sure, we had sumac juice and all sorts of random "safe berries" I wouldn't dare try to remember at this point - but nothing cool like a metal shop, etc.

[@mdellertson]

@@chouseification sounds like Hogwarts! 😁

[@chouseification]

@@mdellertson yeah with a lot of ropes and logs to build towers out of etc, and lots of campfire. Plenty of crayfish in the lake but no merpeople. :D

[@btakin8737]

Excellent video Jeff! As a welding engineer I LOVE beautiful freeze lines. This video was suggested by the algorithm, and I am glad! Now, add ASMR to you keywords and pickup another million views as it certainly fits! If this gig doesn’t pan out, I am certain you could be very successful as a Golf Commentator!! What a voice

[@LithicMetals]

Glad ya found me! Thanks for watching!!

[@-homerow-]

After a thorough binge watch of the channel I would like to say that the video style has become much more entertaining, captivating and inspiring over time. Thanks for the videos! I can't wait to order some Lithic bars of my own. 💛

[@LithicMetals]

I appreciate the feedback! Thanks 😁

[@LinaScott]

Yay I now get the process! 😁 I worked in a lab that was next door to a minerals lab working with gold content and I never understood the whole process. Thank you for a great explanation 😊

[@jeffwilliams2031]

WOW, what a beautiful gold bar. All of your pours are awesome. I like all your videos because your commentary is to the point without all the yapping that so many KZbinrs like to do. Keep the videos coming. I will give a "like" to all of them. Thanks.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks so much, Jeff! I appreciate your support. Real glad to hear you're enjoying my pours! I'll keep them coming! 😁

[@chitranthirupathy6678]

Your meticulousness earned you this sub and a loyal viewer. Absolutely perfect.

[@LithicMetals]

I certainly appreciate it! Thanks!! 😁

[@xballsport]

Absolutely phenomenal content 👏🏽. Btw I love the silver crystals you sent me. My favorite silver out of my stack for sure.

[@LithicMetals]

So glad you enjoy them! They really are something cool! 😎

[@zachary4225]

Love the craftsmanship!! Awesome work.

[@adamwhiteson6866]

This was really nicely done. I know nothing about the subject but found the presentation just fascinating.

[@Mr.Phoreskin]

Taking a moment to appreciate beautiful craftsmanship.

[@gustavofiora5393]

Very explicit and didactic, excellent photography, very good tips on the oxide film on the surface of the molten globule and the last rinse with ammonia solution that would eliminate traces of Cu, Ag or Ni.

[@LithicMetals]

I appreciate the detailed feedback, Gustavo! Thanks so much for watching!! 😁

[@iamgabriel5823]

Fascinating process to watch. Thanks for the upload.

[@netsurfers9357]

I'm a Microsoft programmer who understands being a Business Intelligence Developer and have always dreamed of learning Gemology. This would definitely be an art, coupled with facet cutting gemstones. With great respect, I have always admired the creativity of people! When I was a teen, I hung around a jeweler gemologist by the name of Jim Cassidy who was associated with Carol's Jewelers in Seattle. I admired who he was and for what he knew and as a friend I always valued! It's amazing what you learn in life! Like fine gold put to the fire, we are all tried in life! (True)

[@amyh3223]

I can't imagine having a dad as nice sounding as you when I was a child

[@nrthshor8586]

Tripped across your channel the process is fascinating stacked for a few years so seeing this is an art. Thanks for your content 👍

[@LithicMetals]

Glad you found me. I appreciate you watching! 😁

[@oiooiioioiooioii5400]

You are a true master. No matter your walk of life of the viewer, there is something to be learned from this. Beautiful

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks so much for that. I appreciate you. 😁

[@RyanTaylor228]

I just found your channel and I really liked the video! That was the most amazing pour lines I have ever seen in a gold bar! Absolutely beautiful!! You got a new sub, thanks for the entertainment

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks so much Ryan! If you enjoy pour lines, check out some of my previous pours... you won't be disappointed. Thanks for watching! 😁

[@davidgordon2305]

Definitely the best bar pourer around, and your use of ammonia really does get lovely clean material

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks! 😁

[@lelandgregory5897]

Lithic Metals By far the absolute 💯 best narration of any video on KZbin. Great job thank you for the time you put in this entire process for all of us to learn from. Comment back NASH

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks much! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@UnlockingDreams1Home]

I don't even care about precious metals but this came across my feed and I was just in awe the entire time

[@Hodler-bp5vt]

fantastic to see this, the work involved, the chemistry, bravo!

[@LithicMetals]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching!! 😁

[@xa9590]

Your metal stamps are really cool. Love them.

[@LithicMetals]

Great to hear! Thanks 😁

[@howradbankston3484]

Same here, a decade ago I thought gold was rare. Now I know it's everywhere!

[@johnsonof1eye]

Another excellent video. Love your attention to detail.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks so much, John! 😁

[@ReeferGil]

One of the coolest videos I've seen. Amazing job buddy!

[@LithicMetals]

Great to hear, thanks for saying so!! 😁

[@georgewashington7444]

What the heck did I just watch? That was incredible putting gold into solution, I never knew! Worked a while ago periodically near Redding CA and would go up to the creeks and pan. I was more about the experience but I did fill a small vial 1/4 way (2 grams) with gold glitter in about 20 hours total panning lol

[@LithicMetals]

Awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! It's always great to learn a fun new thing. I love panning, too. I often travel with my pan. I even pan here in Wisconsin from time to time. Like you said, it's more about the experience sometimes. But hey! 2g is 2g! It never hurts to have a bit of extra gold around! Thanks for watching! 😁

[@MerchantMarineGuy]

If you want a super clean precip bubble SO2 through a dilute AR solution. H2SO4 to SMB, filter through H2SO4 and bubble to the AR. Also has the benefit of a very good indicator of when the reaction starts, not going to spoil it but it’s super cool.

[@big_unclenicky3823]

It’s nice to have u explain everything like that great job tbh

[@james.8985]

Thanks for sharing man. Very satisfying to watch the progress unfold into beautiful GOLD👍🏼🇦🇺

[@LithicMetals]

Glad you enjoyed it, James! Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@brianh.4185]

Cool. That’s a beautiful looking piece!

[@FromAmericaToJapan]

Bro this was awesome! ❤never knew this is how you would refine gold. I’m learning!

[@LithicMetals]

It's always fun to learn something cool! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@stepannovotny4291]

Really interesting video and so easy to watch. Just enjoyable, thanks!

[@ppp0911]

Thanks and Keep posting these inspirational videos as I'm going Pro as a precious metals refiner.🥳

[@williambarcal9303]

Awesome vid!!! I really love the cooling lines on that bar.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks, William! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@gooman989898]

I'm impressed dude, looks great!

[@LithicMetals]

Nice! Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@sergeidominiquepantejo9773]

Hello sir Jeff, love all your work,videos.

[@NotAvailable_na]

Wow, I got to say you got pouring skills. Respect.

[@walldoo99]

You should make audio tapes for insomniacs, your voice is so soft and soothing, I am dozing off.

[@shaun4443]

The colour difference is amazing!

[@togr824get]

Jeff...that was absolutely awesome to watch.. Seriously.. Fascinating..I have no idea what half them chemicals are..but it was really interesting to watch you clean that gold.

[@LithicMetals]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the wonderful feedback!! 😁

[@Jubeininja1221]

Wow this is soo cool. Thankyou. How did you get into this? Whats your background?

[@stevenhart9004]

What fascinating chemistry, I'm going to have to watch that again!.

[@LithicMetals]

Glad you enjoyed it, Steven! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@Luchoveli]

This just makes me love gold and it's process even more 😁

[@varanski]

Awesome video man, where did you get your cruicibles?, I haven’t been able to find a suitable one.

[@AQUApd1]

Amazing video and a fascinating process. Thanks for showing us.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks, mate. I appreciate you watching! 😁

[@mikesoreal]

Crazy that bar went through all that. The liquid part to me blew my mind.

[@LithicMetals]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching, Mike! 😁

[@hashemameli3666]

You are very professional and masterful. Did you neutralize the nitric with urea or did the distilled water and ice neutralize it? Do you extract gold with ore? Thank you for everything

[@SuhilaCass-sj2tx]

Really innovative stuff here. Thanks again for sharing.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks. I appreciate you watching! 😁

[@BrownianMotionPicture]

I don't even own any solid gold yet enjoyed this a lot.

[@jeffcrisafulli2258]

You saw it all cool towards the Middle. That's real Perfection.

[@MediaHouseAgency1]

Wow that is a beautiful process. Thanks!

[@LithicMetals]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@miguelpanta]

beautiful work, in what form did you return the rest?

[@calvinhobbs1761]

I found a 17.7 Gram Nugget this past summer, really dense for its size. I want to eventually move into the next step of refining the gold I find. Thanks for the videos

[@user-kl6ej9zh2i]

Just subscribed. You just came up as a suggestion. I've been watching Sreetips and Aquilla Refining for years.

[@LithicMetals]

I appreciate you joining me! I'm glad that darn algorithm finally brought us together! 😁

[@Mr.LuckyBones]

Nice little bar of gold, and good video! Would be pretty cool to own as well.

[@Der0Nibelung]

Very good and clean techniques...

[@LithicMetals]

😁

[@herbalannie7707]

This is why I love chemistry! You are a true alchemist sir!

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks, Annie! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@karenwilliams3882]

It's really addicting to watch this process, I love the final results. Gorgeous gold ❤

[@LithicMetals]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@malcolmbragg7225]

Thanks real good info I’ve learned a lot from watching your videos.keep them coming. Doc

[@Three9sfine.]

Absolutely amazing 😍 your work looks like a lot of fun , how long did that whole process take ?

[@LithicMetals]

It is fun! This video stretched over a period of four days. 😁

[@kennywalker8483]

Man i really enjoy watching you do this...wow

[@steelcityspeedshopj.r6942]

Beautiful work Jeff! I hope I can someday purchase one of these beauties from you! Excellent seriously

[@LithicMetals]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@MrPSaun]

This is modern day alchemy. Absolutely amazing.

[@noicue8078]

I watched this again but with my wife this time. We both enjoyed it very much. Beautiful work. I wish that I could hit the like button again. 👍👍😁

[@LithicMetals]

Wonderful! I appreciate you both watching. Thank you! 😁

[@noicue8078]

@@LithicMetals we just got done watching the 5 ounce pour. Beautiful

[@islandboy7432]

Great video! I've got several ounces of 14 kt gold scrap jewelry I'm collecting to eventually pour some gold bars....

[@glockumollie1230]

I have quite a bit of scrap Gold I really wish I could have you refine that down to a couple nice little Bars. AWESOME!

[@LithicMetals]

I'd be happy to refine your karat scrap. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] and we can get it done!

[@Debbiebabe69]

Does the added value of the refining make up for the costs (in time, chemicals, mapp gas, etc) or is the extra value purely the additional value the bar is worth as art rather than metal?

[@RaindropsBleeding]

I never knew about nor thought they mattered but those cooling lines do look very nice.

[@LithicMetals]

I'm glad you like them too. I find a lot of beauty in them.

[@larrylong4829]

Well done! Very interesting and informative!

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks, Larry! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@professorxgaming2070]

Looks great, awesome process, thanks for sharing

[@LithicMetals]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@renae4]

Yes to the soft spoken metal refiners

[@lonnieswafford4833]

Fascinating. Very entertaining.

[@gazed1435]

Great Video. Q) not able to obtain Nitric Acid. in Australia without license . is there another way. also where do you get test strips and solution

[@Sean_y4k2l5]

What a fantastic video! thank you.

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks, Sean! I appreciate you watching!! 😁

[@cptrikester2671]

Nice. Curious about the freeze lines. If the bar froze on a speaker plate, could a word or two be 'recorded' in the lines, like 'Happy Birthday'?

[@jeffscondos7921]

GREAT!!! Thanks for sharing

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Fascinating. You have a soothing voice that reminds me of MRE Steve, the guy that eats military rations on his YT channel. Beautiful bar!

[@LithicMetals]

Folks have mentioned that to me on tiktok. Lol, I'll have to watch a few of his vids. Glad you like the bar! Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@douglaswilliams6834]

@@LithicMetals I don't do tiktok, but yea, you should watch a few of his vids. You definitely remind me of him. I think he has a couple million YT subscribers now, so you're in good company. 🙂

[@mrkim5644]

The waves in the bars look sweet. I have a Dillon gage bracelet and it would look awesome with waves in the bracelet.

[@DanielMLaw]

Great explanation of the steps involved. Was wondering whether you were wearing a respirator during part or all of the refining process. Thanks.

[@LithicMetals]

I do not wear a respirator. That would be inefficient. I work in a fume hood and booth. Otherwise it would kill me.

[@waynoswaynos]

Cool man. May I ask, what’s the width, height and depth of that mould to make a one ounce bar? I have some graphite and thought I might use a router to make one.

[@arnedalbakk6315]

Hello Jeff. Only on thing to say.......... Excellent 😊 Arne. Norway

[@johnhonda93]

Im really curious what you charge for this? Cause thats alot of acids and stuff you're using for this. Not to mention your time and stuff. Also would really like to know where you get your acids. Nitric acid seems to be hard to get dor me.

[@travisschaefer5286]

Damn Jeff, great work! What a beautiful little oz of gold 😍 This was very satisfying 💪🏻

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks, Travis! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@travisschaefer5286]

@@LithicMetals I’m instantly wanting to send you some metal to cast for me! Would you cast a silver bar? Or only gold?

[@johnadriani7467]

You have a very beautiful way of storytelling almost like my grandmother telling me a story you could make tomato soup the presentation would hypnotize me just as much

[@darcybrawataakaontariostac6835]

Great job and awesome bar

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks, Darcy! I appreciate it!! 😁

[@gwoody4003]

I had no idea so much process went into "pure gold". I never saw the whole acid dissolution and sublimation process. Its astounding. I always assumed gold was just melted and separated from impurities that way. Its gotta be humbling to handle such valuable material. I watched your 10 oz bar from old jewelry video and my brain melted. Must be all the acid I put in there 😂😂😂😂. Anyways... the whole liquid gold>rusty looking mud>pure gold bar process.... amazing.

[@cianmoriarty7345]

Amazing that there's not enough silver to produce the slightest white haze in solution of hydrochloric acid with nitric but yet you can clearly see it from just looking at the bar 🤔🤯

[@thousandaireradio3199]

You are like the Bob Ross of metallurgy

[@user-xn9iz4bh2o]

That's beautiful! Very beautiful good work!❤🎉❤🎉

[@LithicMetals]

💛

[@jeffcrisafulli2258]

Beautiful ripples I can do that too

[@DanielRodriguez-se8hf]

Beautiful work. Alchemist at its finest. I'm curious to know if the stamp doesn't remove the gold, does redistributing deform the bar slightly?

[@LithicMetals]

It doesn't remove any measurable amount of gold. Just squashes it. Yes, it does deform the piece a bit.

[@dangaines405]

Wow, great artisan skills! Liked and subscribed!

[@LithicMetals]

Thanks so much, Dan! 😁