Does anyone know much about ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid)?
I cleaned up some gold using a weak solution of oxalic acid and it appears to have etched or dissolved some of the gold. I have read that there is only one chemical that will dissolve gold (aqua regina). So I have to operate under the assumption that it is dissolving the associated minerals within the gold.
I'm trying to figure out what metals could have been dissolved (copper, lead, silver).
I've googled the topic, but didn't run across my answer.
Maybe there are a few rock hounds here that might know?
Maybe it's not gold
😉
I know gold when I see it.
Generally speaking, gold in my area is around 95% pure. That means 5% of something else.
If there was iron in the gold, I would have expected to see a rust stain on it. I've seen iron in the host rock many times.
Box it up and send it to me. If it's really gold, I'll send it back...promise...;-)
