The Display in the middle of the room has some interesting displays. The left display case shows what minerals are found around the surrounding areas of Coarsegold. The right display case shows a leather Belt and chaps used in the early part of the century for Ranching. Notice how wide the Belt is, this gives support to the user for heavy lifting and it is quite decorative.

ASSAY CRUCIBLES

The assay crucibles shown in the display were used by the Hornitos Assayers Office.  Fire assay was used to determine the quantity of gold in a rock matrix.    

A sample of pulverized ORE was mixed with mercury producing an amalgam.    The pulverized rock was then removed from the mix leaving the mercury containing the gold in the crucible.  The mercury was then evaporated off in the crucible leaving the gold.   

The Assayer knowing the weight of the ORE sample and weight of the gold that remained in the crucible could then determine the percentage or amount of gold in the ORE.  

In early mining camps it was probably very risky being around the assay office.  The fumes from the mercury burn-off were toxic and life threatening if not retorted properly.