Mixed Smelted Gold and Slag Button
Raw Gold/Gold Scoria (Smelted Drip) · Yellow Gold Alloy (Unrefined)
Purity: Variable, likely 10K-22K equivalent (41.7% - 91.6%)
Type
Raw Gold/Gold Scoria (Smelted Drip)
Purity
Variable, likely 10K-22K equivalent (41.7% - 91.6%)
Gold Type
Yellow Gold Alloy (Unrefined)
Weight
5 to 15 grams
Description
An unrefined gold button or 'prill' resulting from a furnace or torch melt. The piece shows characteristic cooling patterns where gold has pooled amidst darker residue. It represents the transitional stage between ore/scrap and pure bullion, featuring a raw, industrial aesthetic common in metallurgy.
Key Features
Heterogeneous surface, visible gold 'sweat' on the exterior, and jagged, irregular geometry typical of cooled molten metal.
Color & Finish
Multi-tonal with bright yellow gold pockets, grey slag, and dark oxidation. Texture is irregular, crusty, and crystalline.
Hallmarks & Stamps
None; raw smelted items lack official markings.
Dimensions Estimate
25mm length x 10mm width x 5mm depth (Estimated)
Gemstones & Inlays
None; exhibits mineral inclusions and borax glass remnants.
Clasp & Closure
Not applicable; raw material.
Chain & Links
Not applicable.
Craftsmanship Details
Crude; formed by gravity and surface tension during cooling with no intentional design.
Authentication Indicators
The varying shades of yellow are consistent with high-carat gold, but the presence of dark 'scoria' indicates it has not been chemically refined to 999 status. No green copper oxidation is visible, suggesting high precious metal content.
Origin & Maker
Unknown artisanal miner or independent refiner.
Era & Period
Contemporary (Industrial/Small-scale mining sample)
Age Estimate
Recent (within the last 1-5 years)
Cultural Significance
Represents the labor of artisanal mining and the fundamental chemistry of precious metal extraction used for millennia.
Condition Notes
Fair; contains high levels of impurities/slag. Structural integrity is solid but surface is abrasive.
Value Estimate
Spot price value minus 20-30% refining fee for impurity removal.
Care & Maintenance
Store in a dry container. Do not polish, as it will strip the characteristic slag and reduce research/specimen value.
Similar Items
Gold nuggets (natural), dental gold scrap, or casting sprues.
Interesting Facts
In the refining process, borax is used as a flux to help gold coalesce and separate the silicate impurities into the glassy slag seen here.