r/Whatisthis • u/Kinggambit90 • Jul 17 '23
My freind found this renovating his house Open
No idea what this is. He hopes it's gold, I just hope it's not asbestos
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u/sashablyat Jul 17 '23
Looks like some kind of metal was melted and poured into cold water which instantly solidifies them into these little beads, which sounds like something you would do with gold. If so that's one lucky friend.
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Jul 17 '23
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u/seriousbeef Jul 17 '23
If it is dropped from high enough won’t it cool on the way down and not do that? Like when they make lead shot dropped from towers?
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Jul 17 '23
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u/Broccoli_Man007 Jul 17 '23
If the gold is at 1950 F and cools to 1940 F in air - which should be a very small amount of time given the huge temp difference - then air cooling would work.
They used to make lead shot by dropping molten lead from large towers. It was very consistent once they had it down to an industrial process
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u/klaxz1 Jul 17 '23
I've always reckoned that looking at the new moon over your left shoulder is one of the carelessest and foolishest things a body can do. Old Hank Bunker done it once, and bragged about it; and in less than two years he got drunk and fell off of the shot-tower, and spread himself out so that he was just a kind of a layer, as you may say; and they slid him edgeways between two barn doors for a coffin, and buried him so, so they say, but I didn't see it.
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u/pippi_longstocking09 Jul 17 '23
Is that from Huck Finn?
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u/klaxz1 Jul 17 '23
Yes. It’s where I first learned the term “shot tower” and luckily my dad knew what it was and explained it to me.
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u/pippi_longstocking09 Jul 17 '23
Nice. I didn't recognize the particulars, just the vibe. I love that book so much!
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u/klaxz1 Jul 17 '23
Yeah I’m wildly overdue for a reread. I just quoted it to my boss the other day… “a body can’t just lie around” referring to a man’s need to work
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u/seriousbeef Jul 17 '23
I read it nearly 40 years ago in school. Time for a reread for me too. Thanks for the encouragement.
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u/Puzzled-Atmosphere-1 Jul 17 '23
It’s probably banned by now, for everything BUT the use of the N word. Aside from that making me uncomfortable when I read it, as a kid, I really did like the book a lot.
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u/Brokella Jul 17 '23
Also see molybdomancy - the practice of casting molten metal (lead usually) into water in order to predict the future.
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u/Slevin_Kedavra Jul 17 '23
This a tradition on new years eve in Germany. These blobs of lead rarely come out in a shape even remotely resembling an orb or droplet.
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u/MrGreggerGrM Jul 17 '23
I did foundry work for almost 20 years, and I can assure you that shot like this can be made with a drop height of less than 4 inches. It all depends on the temperature of the melt. Yes, you'll get some hollow bubble shaped pieces, but the bulk of them will be solid shot. Further testing of that material is definitely needed because there are many copper alloys that can look like gold. Good luck to your friend OP.
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Jul 17 '23
Former foundryman here….looks like bronze casting grain
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u/Memeingthedream Jul 17 '23
I think you're right
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Jul 17 '23
I’d get something they called jewelers bronze which was an alloy that took a nice polish….I’d only buy this for the centrifuge which only cast under a pound or so….big crucible held a hundred pounds of ingots and scraps
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u/Puzzled-Atmosphere-1 Jul 17 '23
Taking a second look, I’d have to agree with you, from an amateur (non metallurgist) perspective.
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u/Coctyle Jul 17 '23
Powder metal is made by spraying molten metal into water. The resulting powder particles are spheroid.
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u/atxbikenbus Jul 17 '23
We used to do that with solder. We'd melt it in a big ladle and pour it into a 5 gallon bucket of water. Made some incredible shapes. Had one come out shaped like a rose with a long "stem" once.
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u/horaceinkling Jul 17 '23
Depends on the metal. Pouring chrome into a steel mold will cause a bunch of these beads if you don’t do it quickly enough or smoothly enough.
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Jul 17 '23
Gold isn’t hard enough to hold an edge, so you’ll actually only ever see gold beads in nature.
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u/jooboy2000 Jul 17 '23
Definitely a casting metal. Copper brass maybe? If it seems heavy get it tested, could be gold.
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u/troelsy Jul 17 '23
Yeah, the weight would give it away. Always makes me chuckle in films when they're throwing around gold bars like it's nothing.
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u/dawlben Jul 17 '23
you mean those that weigh ~27lbs per bar?
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u/ultranothing Jul 17 '23 edited Jul 17 '23
Are you asking because that doesn't seem like a lot to throw around, or to reinforce the point?
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u/Broken_castor Jul 17 '23
Pssshh, like we don’t all toss around the 30lbs dumbbells at the gym for fun anyway. Light weight!
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u/fenderguitar83 Jul 17 '23
It typically weighs in at 400 troy ounces (27.5 pounds), and measures 7 inches x 3 and 5/8 inches x 1 and 3/4 inches, however dimensions and weights can vary between different institutions and uses.
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u/dawlben Jul 17 '23
Most good bricks are heavy and relatively small for that weight. Most people would need 2 hands to move them.
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u/Bigted1800 Jul 17 '23
Not to mention that careless stacking would result in a crushed finger, although now my brain is exploring the idea that ingots are shaped that way after trial and sore fingers.
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u/ozzy_thedog Jul 17 '23
Looks like gold. You might be able to make a mark in it with your tooth or nail if it’s real
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u/craic-house Jul 17 '23
Like on TV. Faked gold was usually lead, which would leave a tooth mark. Gold wouldn't.
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u/yellowjesusrising Jul 17 '23 edited Jul 17 '23
I thought it was because gold would get dented, and the cheap metal wouldn't, as gold is fairly soft.
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u/MegannMedusa Jul 17 '23
Gold is so soft that the bricks are actually protected by a thick wax coating. You’d never see a shiny gold bar in real life because it’s so soft that without the wax bits of it will flake or chip off, changing its value.
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u/troelsy Jul 17 '23
And gold still weighs almost twice as much as lead. With small amounts you might not be able to tell by feel, but this amount would be quite obvious.
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u/ezfrag Jul 17 '23
You can leave tooth marks in gold rather easily. Gold has the same Mohs hardnes of 2.5-3 as aluminum and silver.
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u/Kinggambit90 Jul 17 '23
Funny enough he did that, but just like the replies to you he wasn't sure if it was supposed to be soft or hard, then he did like a lemon test and said it was good (doubtful to me lol). I told him just bring a few and we'll go to a few jewelers or pawn stores
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u/akarmachameleon Jul 17 '23
I would probably prefer the nail test here...
Bite down. If it leaves a mark it is gold. If it doesn't leave a mark it is asbestos. 🤣
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u/Daegzy Jul 17 '23
This is the answer. I have done zero research but I assume taking it to someone will be much more expensive.
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u/Kolada Jul 17 '23
I wonder if gold stores will test for free since they'll have to test before buying anyway.
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u/ezfrag Jul 17 '23
Yes they will, that's how they determine the purity in order to make you an offer.
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u/everybodylovesbror Jul 17 '23
Maybe they could just take a piece to a cash for gold place/pawn shop and they would be able to test it
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Jul 17 '23
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u/GuyWithRealFakeFacts Jul 17 '23
Except to find out if it's gold....? Like literally the whole point?
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Jul 17 '23
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u/GuyWithRealFakeFacts Jul 17 '23
Sure, but there is probably a "Gold 4 U Cash Quick Inc" much closer than a more reputable coin shop. In which case it would be preferable to find out if it's gold before making the further trip - thus there would indeed be a point.
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u/ezfrag Jul 17 '23
And the coin store will likely do the same test for free as they will want to test its purity for themselves before making you an offer.
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u/Memeingthedream Jul 17 '23
Pawnshops test for free
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u/thsvnlwn Jul 17 '23
But if it’s gold, will they be honest about the purity?
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u/Memeingthedream Jul 17 '23
That I do not know. If they can turn a profit then I don't see why they would lie about it
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u/thsvnlwn Jul 17 '23
“Yeah, it’s gold. But only 10 karat. But I”ll give you a good deal.”
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u/Memeingthedream Jul 17 '23
Lol I honestly don't know much about the process other than knowing some do test it
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u/LocalConspiracy138 Jul 17 '23
If you can measure its mass divided by its volume, you could compare that density number to known metals densities and have a really good guess.
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u/Coctyle Jul 17 '23
To get the volume, submerge in water and observe how much the total volume changes. Since you have plenty, fill a measuring cup part way and add the beads until you get to the next measurement line.
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u/SnooPaintings3623 Jul 17 '23
Yep, this is the answer. You can find a specific gravity table online; brass & bronze are much much lighter than gold, so this will be a pretty easy (ie obvious) experiment. Dig out your kitchen scale and your 8th grade science project memories, because Reddit’s gotta know!
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u/Bubbledood Jul 17 '23
If it’s gold I’d assume it’s the previous owners and they kept it a secret and died before telling anyone
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u/h0bbie Jul 17 '23
It’s not asbestos, or if it is, it’s coated in something impressive and not dangerous. I am not a lawyer.
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u/duhmbish Jul 17 '23
Where are you located? I have access to an XRF machine which will tell me what type of metal it is. It can be the tiniest piece even, I just gotta put it in the machine and it’ll read the elemental contents and tell me what metal it is
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u/carbycat Jul 17 '23
It kind of looks like hard body wax beads?
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u/corporate-hq Jul 17 '23
i second this. i used to work for a beauty supply distributor, and this looks exactly like pre-melted wax beads for waxing hair off your body.
it’s not this brand, but here’s an example: https://www.ulta.com/p/gold-hard-wax-beans-pimprod2009989
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u/pippi_longstocking09 Jul 17 '23
It looks a little too dark to be gold but what do I know, maybe it's a low-light photo.
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u/Captainsicum Jul 17 '23
I don’t think it’s gold because gold is particularly shiny unless if it’s scuffed up or left for a very long time (it doesn’t oxidise quickly).
If you can bite into it and it’s soft it’s likely gold otherwise it’s likely a brass alloy
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u/Amethystlover420 Jul 17 '23
I didn’t think gold oxidized at all! It doesn’t react with oxygen. Or water.
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u/chkntendis Jul 17 '23
You should weigh all of it and then submerge it in water to see by how much volume the water level rises. Then divide the weight by the volume and if it is about 19.3 it’s extremely likely that it’s gold.
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u/Orchid_Significant Jul 17 '23
Is it not just wax beads? https://images.app.goo.gl/cuv6pStGKdo8jq8z9 what do they sound like when shaken
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u/mostlybecausecat Jul 17 '23
I'm on team wax beads! Seems pretty far fetched for it to be gold... Would be nice though!
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u/gangtokay Jul 17 '23
Take one "bead" to a jewellery shop. They will be able to tell if it is gold or not.
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u/thejameswilliam Jul 17 '23
It’s casting grain. Basically a metal used to cast objects by melting in a furnace and pairing into a mold. It could be copper, brass, bronze or even gold. Would need to test to see which one.
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u/Bachooga Jul 17 '23
I'm pretty sure it's casting grain, like granulated metals that melt down better faster.
22k gold is similar in color and shape, 24k gold always reminded me of little jagged pebbles.
There's a lot of ways to test if it's gold or not. We know density and the hardness of gold, so rubbing on shit and doing an acid test works.
Your local pawn shop or coin place that dabbles in metal trading would also have acid wash stuff and can test it but I've never gone down that route because I never just found shit that I wasn't sure was gold or not.
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u/pornborn Jul 17 '23
You can take it to a pawn shop or someplace that buys gold, just to find out if it is gold. Bonus if they can tell you the purity.
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u/er1catwork Jul 17 '23
Reminds me of the bubble gum I would buy as a kid. Little gold pebbles, that came in a cloth pouch.
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u/certnneed Jul 17 '23
Where was it found in the house? If near the kitchen, then are they heavy enough to be pie weights for blind baking crusts?
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u/Memeingthedream Jul 17 '23
Where in the house? It looks sort of like those crafting pebbles crafters out into jars or vases
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u/ReallyNotBobby Jul 17 '23
Your friend can get a hold testing kit on Amazon for a couple bucks. Might be worth looking into.
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u/McChes Jul 17 '23
Reminds me of filler material you can buy to put in the top of plant pots, to make the surface around the plant look nice.
How heavy is it? If it was gold, as some others are suggesting, this amount of it would be pretty heavy.
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u/MapReston Jul 17 '23
I recently found something similar looking in a house renovation. My house was build in the 50’s. And this crap was in only the walls from the garage to the exterior. The garage space was turned into a room in the 60’s. Here is a video & a picture. Yours looks more like gold. Was it in the walls?
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u/Kinggambit90 Jul 17 '23
Behind the ceiling sheetrock actually. That looks more like asbestos in your photo from the Libbey mines. I only say that cuz I found the exact same thing in my house when I was doing construction, and this sub told me that it was asbestos
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u/izyshoroo Jul 17 '23
I would bet money that that's brass. It has tarnish on it, sorry it's not gold. Or if it is, it's VERY impure
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u/moopsoup3 Jul 17 '23
Like everyone else is saying, some kind of metal. We had these in the science labs we were cleaning out at my school last year. Ours were little copper beads. These look a little less lustrous than those.
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u/nerdychick22 Jul 17 '23
It might be metal, it might just be that decorative crap people fill jars with
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u/Inevitable-Ear-4524 Jul 17 '23
Wax beads? Melted down and used to remove hair. I have similar looking ones that are gold, and smell like pineapple. The brand I have is called wakse
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u/alamohero Jul 17 '23
For all the people saying it could be gold- that’s A LOT of gold to just have laying around the house even hidden.
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u/jspurlin03 Jul 17 '23
Asbestos is a rocky mineral. This is a metal, that’s been made into droplets by water-cooling them.
That would be a lot of value if it’s gold, but you can estimate by density if it’s gold or some other metal.
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u/firefighter_raven Jul 17 '23
There is something extremely familiar about the small indentation on each piece. Not towards determining the metal but how these were created.
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u/Ok_Ebb50 Jul 17 '23
This si probably fake gold with isn't worth too much but if it real gold your kucky to find such a large amount
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u/ahra_now Jul 17 '23
Depends again on if its soft or hard but it looks to me like cavity wall insulation. The kind I've seen was grey mind you, no idea if it comes in different colours or not but that's what the picture reminds me of
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u/chuckle_puss Jul 17 '23
It looks like a slime mold that I saw in the woods once. Is it soft or hard though? Because if it feels like metal, that obviously won’t be it.
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u/akarmachameleon Jul 17 '23
Where was it found? In the walls? Under a floorboard? Did they seem to be stashed together for safekeeping/retrieval someday?
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u/PuzzleheadedTap4484 Jul 17 '23
It’s most likely not asbestos. Vermiculite looks different. And it’s not in a form of asbestos that I’ve ever seen. But I would have it tested regardless to make sure.
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u/Possibly_the_CIA Jul 17 '23 edited Jul 17 '23
If it’s not metallic or feel like metal it’s Gold wax used for making candles or other wax art projects. I use it to wax dip bottle of bourbon.
Amazon: Blended Waxes, Inc. Bottle Sealing Wax 1 lb. Pastilles - Resilient and Versatile Bottling Wax For Wine, Beer, and Liquor Bottle Sealing - Seals Between 25-30 Bottles (Gold)
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u/Crafty-War-8052 Jul 17 '23
If it’s gold then woooohoooo but it is probably brass soldering that was left over and dumped into a bucket of water to cool
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u/SymBiioTE Jul 17 '23
Have it tested to see if its gold.