Aqua Regia turning light blue?

Question

I am trying to precipitate gold from an aqua regia solution and it seems to be something producing an endless supply of a light blue sediment. The gold was from computer parts and using sodium bicarbonate as the reaction agent. Not seeing any gold in the sediment. Any help would be appreciated as there should be about 7 grams of gold there, just need to separate it out?

Update:

Fred, if you could help you would know3 that sodium bicarbonate is the precipitant and the result is redish-brown sediment and not blue. If Google had the answer I wouldn't be asking here.

John R · Accepted Answer

There is less than 1 gram of gold in a mother board and her processor(s).  This means that it is worth about $50.  There is a lot of work involved for that fifty bucks, not to mention the danger of the chemicals.

These guys are using Butyl Diglyme to extract the gold from Aqua Regia.
http://www.goldandsilverore.com/Extrating%20gold%20butyl%20diglyme

Other guys use sodium nitrate.  You are going to need a fuming cabinet.

These guys are using electrolysis.
http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/550-gold-motherboard-chemistry.html

Fred · Answer

Use google to find several methods for extracting gold from aqua regia.

Aqua Regia turning light blue?

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