Findings
How Jared and AAron Eliot Created Iron from Black Sea Sand
From 1760–1762, Jared Eliot conducted an experiment after witnessing the poor quality of iron which prevented his son Aaron Eliot from making high-quality steel. Using magnetite extracted from beach sand, he was able to forge a malleable, high-quality iron which earned him a gold medal from the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce in London.
This project not only researched the history of the Eliots and their experiment, but also sought to replicate the collection and separation of magnetite from sand. Samples were collected via a magnetic floor sweeper, then later sieved in a lab.
Project Gallery
Magnetite (right) collected and separated from Hammonasset Beach Park sands (left)
Black sand deposit at Hammonasset Beach State Park
Magnetite collected via magnetic floor sweeper
Example of iron object from the Danforth Collection