Ella Walter
Gemstone panning is an outdoor activity that allows enthusiasts to discover gems hidden in riverbeds and gravel deposits. It is a simple process that involves filling a pan with gravel and submerging it in water, swirling the water and sediment to trap smaller gemstones, and allowing the lighter material to wash over the side. This process is repeated until only a small amount of material is left, which can then be inspected for gemstones. While gold panning and gemstone panning share some similarities, there are key differences to keep in mind, such as the specific gravity of the desired gems. Proper equipment, such as waterproof boots, gloves, shovels, screens, buckets, and magnifying glasses, is essential for a successful and comfortable gem panning experience.
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What You'll Learn
Choose a location with flowing water and a history of gemstone findings
Choosing the right location is crucial for a successful gemstone hunt. Look for a spot with gently flowing water, like a creek, riverbed, or gravel deposit. These areas are known to hide beautiful gems, including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Some locations even offer the chance to find rare diamonds!
When selecting your spot, consider places with a history of gemstone findings. In the United States, several states offer public access to gemstone panning. For instance, Gem Mountain in Montana is famous for its abundance of blue-green sapphires. Visitors can sift through gravel in search of these precious stones. If you're interested in rubies and sapphires, the Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine in North Carolina is a popular destination. While the traditional mining experience has been replaced by gravel sluicing, it remains an engaging activity for families.
Virginia is also home to Morefield Mine, a renowned location for gemstone panning, especially for finding amazonite. This mine offers the opportunity to discover over 80 different types of rocks and minerals, including amethyst and topaz. It is known for being an educational site, perfect for beginners. If you're in Arkansas, don't miss the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the world's only diamond-bearing site open to the public. Here, you can also find other gemstones like amethyst and garnet.
Remember, each location provides a unique experience, and you'll always take home something different. So, whether you're a first-timer or an expert, choosing a location with a history of gemstone findings will increase your chances of making exciting discoveries.
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Pack the right tools and protective clothing
When preparing for a gem-panning trip, it is important to pack the right tools and protective clothing. This will ensure that you are comfortable and safe during your outdoor adventure. Here is a list of essential items to bring:
Tools:
- A wide, shallow pan with ridges on the sides: These ridges help trap smaller gemstones as you swirl the water and sediment. A dark-colored pan can make it easier to spot lighter-coloured gems.
- Shovel and trowel: A small, sturdy shovel is essential for digging through gravel and sediment. A trowel can be useful for collecting and transporting smaller amounts of material.
- Bucket: Bring a bucket to carry your tools and any gems you find. A waterproof bag can also be handy for storing smaller tools and keeping them dry.
- Magnifying glass: This will help you inspect and identify any gemstones you find.
- Tweezers: Useful for picking out small gemstones from the pan.
Protective Clothing:
- Waterproof boots: Gem panning is often done in water, so waterproof boots are essential to keep your feet dry and warm.
- Warm socks: Bring a few pairs of warm socks to wear with your boots, especially if you'll be panning in cold water.
- Gloves: Consider both rugged leather gloves to protect your hands from blisters and cuts while digging, and rubber gloves to protect your hands from cold water while panning.
- Sun protection: Pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's rays during extended periods of outdoor gem panning.
- Warm clothes: Depending on the weather and location, bring appropriate warm clothing to stay comfortable.
Additionally, don't forget to bring other standard outdoor adventure supplies such as a first aid kit, drinking water, mosquito repellent, and a stream or river map to guide your gem-panning journey.
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Identify gems using their specific gravity
Gemologists use specific gravity (SG) to identify gemstones. SG is a property that helps identify gemstones by measuring how much heavier they are compared to water. Simply put, it's the ratio of a gemstone's density to water's density. Gemologists use Archimedes' principle to measure specific gravity. This measurement is particularly useful for identifying rough or carved stones where other tests might be difficult to perform. Each gemstone type has a consistent SG value range, and SG testing is often combined with other tests like refractive index measurements and hardness tests.
SG is expressed by a number that denotes how heavy the gemstone is in comparison to water of equal volume. For example, a gemstone that is two times heavier than an equal volume of water has an SG of 2. Most gemstones have an SG between 2 and 4, but there are exceptions. SG is also useful for gem buyers, as it helps them understand the difference in size between gemstones of the same carat weight. For example, sapphires are smaller than diamonds of the same carat weight because they have a higher SG.
To measure the SG of a gemstone, you need a hydrostatic balance. The stone is first weighed in air and then weighed again while immersed in water. The loss of weight when immersed in water is equal to the weight of its volume in water displaced. The weight of the gem in air divided by the loss of weight in water gives the SG of the stone. SG can also be measured using a spring balance and a bucket of water for larger specimens.
While SG testing is a valuable tool, it is not a diagnostic test on its own. It is often used as a corroborative test to narrow down the range of possibilities, especially when testing for less commonly used minerals. SG testing also has some limitations. It can only be performed on loose gemstones, as impurities and inclusions will interfere with the results. Composite gemstones, such as opal doublets and garnet-topped doublets, cannot be tested. Treated materials, especially coated and fracture-filled stones, will also give inaccurate results.
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Use a dark-coloured pan to spot lighter gems
Gem panning involves sifting through sediment in rivers, streams, or even old mining sites to uncover hidden gems. It is a simple process that requires a few tools and a good eye. One of the most important tools is the pan, and choosing the right one can increase your chances of finding treasure.
When panning for gems, it is recommended to use a dark-coloured pan. This is because a dark-coloured pan makes it easier to spot lighter-coloured gems. The contrast between the light-coloured gems and the dark pan will make them stand out more, making them easier to identify. This is especially useful when panning in an area with a lot of light-coloured sediment or when searching for lighter-coloured gems such as quartz, feldspar, and mica, and rose quartz.
To use the dark-coloured pan effectively, start by filling it with gravel and submerging it in water. Shake the pan back and forth to help the heavier materials, including gemstones, settle to the bottom. Slowly tilt the pan and swirl it in a circular motion, allowing the lighter material to wash over the side. Continue this process until you have a small amount of material left.
Carefully inspect the remaining sediment in your pan for gemstones. Use tweezers to pick out any gems you find and a magnifying glass to get a closer look. If you are new to gem panning, it may be helpful to bring along a gemstone identification chart to help you identify your finds.
In addition to choosing the right pan, there are a few other tips to keep in mind when panning for gems. It is important to choose the right location, such as a spot where the water is flowing gently, and to use the right techniques, such as sifting through the sediment with a shallow pan. Gem panning is also about respecting nature and the local culture, so be mindful of your surroundings and take only what you need.
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Take your gems to a table to sort and identify
Once you've finished panning, take your gems to a table to sort and identify them. You can use a specimen identification chart to help with this process.
When inspecting your findings, use tweezers to pick out anything that looks interesting, and use a magnifying glass to get a closer look. If you're looking for diamonds, remember that they have a specific gravity of 3.52 and should end up with the black sands (magnetite, zircon, ilmenite, etc). So, if you see any black sands in your pan, be sure to search them for diamonds and other gemstones.
If you're panning for gold, the process is a little different. Gold has a specific gravity of 19.3, so it is notably heavy and will stay in the pan as you wash out other minerals. Once you've found your gold, you can use a sniffer bottle to suck it up out of your pan.
If you're hunting for emeralds, a good place to look is the Emerald Hollow Mine in North Carolina, the only public emerald mine in the United States. This 70-acre site offers multiple ways to experience gem hunting, including searching through material at the Emerald Hollow Mine sluiceways for a fee.
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Frequently asked questions
You'll need a wide, shallow pan with ridges on the sides, a bucket, digging tools (such as a shovel, a small spade, and a screwdriver), gloves, warm socks, waterproof boots, and a magnifying glass.
Gemstone panning is offered at several locations across the United States, including Gem Mountain in Montana, Morefield Mine in Virginia, and the Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine in North Carolina.
First, select a spot where water is flowing gently and look for areas where gravel accumulates. Fill your pan with gravel and submerge it in the water. Shake the pan back and forth to help the heavier materials (including gemstones) settle to the bottom. Slowly tilt the pan and swirl it in a circular motion, allowing the lighter material to wash over the side. Continue this process until you have a small amount of material left, then inspect the remaining sediment for gemstones.
