Gold Recovery from plated pins or jewelry

WARNING!!!
Working with acids is dangerous!!  Especially when adding heat!  Please read all precautions, C.M.Hoke, and research before attempting on your own!!

OK, with that said, recovering gold that is plated to metal is not that difficult and only takes a few hours to a day or two.  The items needed are far fewer than other methods however the material may require more work to gain.  The biggest thing to avoid when doing this method besides not spilling acid on yourself, is making sure that there is no solder on anything as this will create a compound that is not reusable or easily disposed of unless you are an experienced chemist.  To remove the gold from base metals like copper and brass, all you need are the following:
-Safety gear (glasses and gloves, rubber or plastic apron would be nice too)
-an old glass coffee pot or Pyrex container (must be tempered glass!!)
-HCL or Muriatic acid this also includes the Safer HCL's on the market that have far fewer fumes!
-A hot plate, old coffee brewer, or electric skillet (must be able to heat the solution to just under boiling)
-bottle or container for used solution
-funnel, plastic only
-plastic spoon or glass stirring rod
-coffee filters
-And of course gold plated metals.
-5 gal bucket or water
-spray bottle

You must do this outside!!  If you do this inside the fumes can kill you!!  The fumes are so potent that if done in a garage, anything made of steel or iron will start to corrode!!  Please be safe and do this outside and remain upwind or do this in an area free from breezes.

The first thing you need to do is set up your electric, temp controlled heat source outside on a solid level surface.  Make sure no children or animals have access.  place your GBM (Gold bearing material) into the pot or Pyrex and place on the heaters surface.  Slowly add the HCL until the pins are covered then add roughly 1/3 more.  Gently swirl the the solution around to ensure all the pins make contact with the acid. 

Turn the heat on and carefully monitor the solution until it get to slightly under a boil.  A perfect simmer will have very small bubble rising from the bottom.  If the solution comes to a boil remove from heat, turn the temp down, wait a few moments, and return to the heated surface.  The boiling point of 31.45% HCL should be around 180F so keep the temp around 150-160.  At this point, all you need to do is stay away, do not breath in the fumes, and keep other away from it for a few hours.  The reaction is complete when the foils are floating around and there are no pins left at the bottom. 

Allow the solution to cool completely.  Once cool, gently pour through filtered funnel into the acid container until as much of the acid as possible is poured off.  Next add some clean water to the pot and gently swirl to help clean and dilute the remaining acid.  Pour through the same filter into the 5 gal bucket of water.  Use the spray bottle to loosen any foils stuck to the sides. 

Dry your foils and place ina glass jar for future refining.  Please remember that these foils are not 24K gold.  You must refine them further to achieve that quality of gold.  That process is better done when you have a large quantity.  Rinse off all tools with plenty of water.  Remember that HCL is found in our stomachs, and in swimming pools so diluting it is a very safe way to dispose of it.