We didn't exactly use nitric acid, we used potassium nitrate and some form of hydrochloric acid, both were from a home improvement store-blaming that idea on hubby...Prolly why it didn't work, we weren't using any concentrated chemicals by any stretch of the imagination-We were just broke and dopey-with gold fever! Thank goodness we had a big, big yard, that sucker stayed outside and far away from the house.
ETA-Like us, KC probably did not get high grade materials, I am thinking nail polish remover and bleach?
ETAA-Nowadays I just pan the Rapidan River, still some flakes and big ole pieces of gold-bearing quartz (still no nugs) here and there...Nowadays KC sits in jail, in case y'all needed that update