Practically anyone can pick up a rock and feel whether or not it has unusual weight. Likewise, most weekend prospectors can see with the eye if a rock has metallic looking minerals, but I doubt that any prospector can determine the real nature of the minerals that appear to be metallic. Furthermore, most beginning and the majority of seasoned prospectors don’t have the assaying knowledge nor the equipment to get a glimpse as to whether or not any rocks may be an ore indicator and be worthy of further study. Carrying this last statement a bit further and assuming that a rock is known to be carrying goodies – the prospector must ask what parts of this rock is valuable and worthless gangue, because, what appears to be rich or worthless may not be the case. As often happens the goodies maybe hanging-out in unexpected places. Therefore, it behooves the prospector to have a fast and reliable way of discerning the where and what in order to intelligently proceed instead grouping around in the meadows of dreams.

Most people who prospect don’t seem to categorize this term prospect into its various component parts, much like how the minerals are assembled. Instead the word prospecting conjures up all kinds of images of vast wealth begging to be simply scooped up on any weekend. Although most prospectors are likely as not searching for gold nuggets, which are relatively easy to identify by weight and color these pieces of visible gold are illusive and few are ever found. Oh sure, there are stories of glory holes, but how many interesting tales are there about the vast majority who found nothing but hard luck? When one decides to go searching for goodies it would seem prudent that the question be asked – what kind of goodie is being sought? Is it one or more of the precious metals or any of the base metals? Regardless, of the answer the hundred pound gold nuggets are seldom visible today, although there might well be huge tonnages of any metal begging to be noticed within in a matrix that seems barren.

There are many disciplines (crystallography, chemistry, geology, etc.) that can aid in the determination of what rocks contain. But, most of these scientific fields require years of intensive study, as well as extensive libraries, equipment and mineral/metal standards. So, what is a prospector to do to increase the odds of discovering desirable ore? I believe that the blowpipe can enhance the preliminary prospects of locating a prospect that may qualify for a mining claim. So to this end the blowpipe tool offers opportunities better than almost anything else, including the microscope, which I consider to be indispensable. For example, what good is a microscope if the viewer has no knowledge of metals or minerals? However, the prospector armed with a little knowledge, a blowpipe and microscope fewer discoveries will be thrown away as being worthless.

The objective of posting these images is to provide the prospector who is searching for ways to better understand the nature and potential some rocks may be secretly harboring. Keep in mind these images being presented are only a few of the vast potential. And, although these images are almost exact replicas of the physical they are not perfect matches of the sublimate colors, yet do provide the viewer with graphic data not likely found anywhere else.

While attempting to capture perfect colors I tried digital cameras and all types of 35mm film, shutter speeds, lighting, and various 1 hour photo developing businesses and found that my 35mm camera with Kodak film and processing produced the best results.

As a consequence of subscribing to the KISS theorem the metals are dealt with first instead of minerals to show what each metal will produce in the form of oxides (sublimates), which are the finely divided colored powders that is blown away from the metal and deposited down-wind on the plaster or charcoal tablets as the metal is being heated to the point of melting. The mineral sublimates will come after the metals for cross-referencing and to help identify some of the metals hosted within unknown mineral matrixes (rocks).

Instead of using the old-timer’s blowpipe to produce the images listed under each specific metal I’ve elected to use the standard hand-held propane torch to create the sublimates. This torch in my opinion is actually a large modern blowpipe and is the simplest tool to generate practical results while the student continues to practice and master the art of blow-piping.

Eventually, the goal is to create a digital image library, so that anyone can refer back to these pictures for aid in determining their own results. Nonetheless, it is advisable that each person who begins this adventure prepare proper storage for their own clay, china, plaster and charcoal tablets that can be referenced as desired. By the way, I'd appreciate any and all dialog regarding this or related subject.

Click on the individual metals to view the effects of the propane torch.

Antimony (Sb), Arsenic (As), Bismuth (Bi), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium(Cr), Cobalt (Co), Columbium (Cb), Copper (Cu), Gallium (Ga) Germanium (Ge), Gold (Au), Hafnium, Indium (In), Iridium (Ir), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Mercury (Hg), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Osmium (Os), Palladium (Pd), Platinum (Pt), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium (Ru), Selenium (Se), Silver (Ag), Tantalum (Ta), Tellurium (Te), Thallium (Tl), Thullium (Tm), Tin (Sn), Titanium, Tungsten (W), Vanadium (V), Zinc (Zn).

Joseph Cummins

Created: 08/27/2006
Revised 05/13/2007