Tiffany Haney
Panning for sapphires is an adventurous activity that can be done in various locations, including Tasmania, California, and Montana. It involves searching for sapphires in cold streams, rivers, and mines. Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum composed of aluminium and oxygen and are considered precious gemstones due to their rarity and hardness. They come in various colours, including deep azure, pink, orange, and yellow, depending on the minerals present during their formation. To pan for sapphires, one needs proper gear, such as gum boots, hip waders, and clothing suitable for cold and wet conditions. Additionally, tools like a large prospecting pan, sieves with different mesh sizes, a shovel, a bucket, and a jar are essential for sapphire hunting. The process includes shovelling coarse sand from the river into the sieves or pan, swirling it with water to remove fine-grained sand, and then examining the concentrated rocks at the bottom for sapphires, which are typically well-rounded grains smaller than a centimetre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What | Panning for sapphires |
| Where | Tasmania, Australia; California, Wyoming, Montana in the US |
| When | Winter in Tasmania |
| Who | Geologists, hobbyists, tourists |
| Why | Fun, thrill of discovery, real payout |
| How | With proper gear like gum boots, hip waiters, shovels, pans, sieves, and jars |
| Process | Shovel coarse sand from the river into sieves or pans, swirl with water, flip over and dump rocks, inspect for sapphires |
| Indicators | Black pleonaste spinel ("black jack"), well-rounded grains less than a centimetre |
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What You'll Learn
- What to wear and bring: gum boots, hip waders, extra clothing?
- Choose a location: rivers in Tasmania, Montana, California
- Recognising sapphires: less than a centimetre, well-rounded grains
- Tools: prospecting pan, two sieves, a shovel, a bucket, a jar
- Technique: swirl sand and water, flip pan, dump rocks
What to wear and bring: gum boots, hip waders, extra clothing
When panning for sapphires, it is important to be prepared with the proper gear and clothing. The most essential items to bring are gum boots, hip waders, and extra clothing.
Gum boots, also known as rubber boots, are crucial for keeping your feet dry and protected while wading in the river or stream. Hip waders are another option for those who want to stay dry up to their chest. They are waterproof overalls that you can step into and strap over your shoulders.
It is important to bring extra clothing when panning for sapphires, as the activity can be messy and wet. Pack clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, such as old trousers, shirts, and jackets. It is also a good idea to bring a change of clothes, especially if you plan to spend the entire day outdoors.
The weather and water conditions should also be considered when packing extra clothing. If you're panning in a cold climate like Tasmania during winter, bring warm layers, including a jacket, hat, and gloves. In warmer climates, lightweight clothing that dries quickly, such as cotton shirts and trousers, can be more comfortable. Don't forget to pack a waterproof jacket if there's a chance of rain!
In addition to gum boots and hip waders, there are other types of protective gear you may want to consider. Gloves can protect your hands from sharp rocks and cold water. A wide-brimmed hat can shield your face and neck from the sun, and insect repellent can ward off bugs that may be attracted to the water.
Sapphire panning can be a fun and thrilling experience, but it's important to be well-prepared with the right gear and clothing to stay comfortable and safe during your adventure.
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Choose a location: rivers in Tasmania, Montana, California
When choosing a location to pan for sapphires, consider rivers in Tasmania, Montana, and California. These regions are known for their gemstone deposits, and you may be able to find sapphires in the rivers or streams.
In Tasmania, try your luck in the Northeast, which is particularly renowned for its mineral deposits. The rivers and streams in this area have eroded sapphire-bearing rocks, such as massive basalt, and you may find sapphires that have been concentrated into river deposits. Keep in mind that the sapphires can be found in a variety of colours, including blues, greens, yellows, golds, and reds. For the best results, go in the spring when the rivers are full and running fast with new sediments. Don't forget to rug up if you're panning in the Tasmanian winter!
Montana has a long history of gemstone discovery, with gold prospectors first stumbling upon sapphire deposits in the state nearly 160 years ago. The Missouri River near Helena was one of the first sites of sapphire recovery, and additional deposits were later found at Rock Creek and Dry Cottonwood Creek. These sapphires are known for their wide range of colours and are often treated with heat to enhance their colour for the jewellery market.
California is another state where sapphires have been found. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, light blue benitoite gemstones, which resemble sapphires, have been recovered. There have also been reports of sapphires found in streams in the state. Additionally, Sapphire Lake in Northern California is fed by rainwater that runs down the surrounding mountains, and it could be worth exploring for potential sapphire discoveries.
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Recognising sapphires: less than a centimetre, well-rounded grains
Recognising sapphires that are less than a centimetre in size and well-rounded requires a keen eye. Firstly, it is important to note that sapphires are not always blue, despite this being the most famous colour for the gemstone. They can also be yellow, purple, orange, green, gray, black, or even colourless. Therefore, colour is not always a reliable indicator of a sapphire.
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, composed of aluminium and oxygen. They are very hard—9 on the Mohs scale—and possess a glassy to translucent appearance, with some exhibiting a glimmer. When panning for sapphires, look out for black pleonaste spinel, also known as "black jack", as this is a good indicator that sapphires may be present.
When identifying sapphires, look for distinctive features such as colour variations, transparency, and noticeable inclusions. Pay attention to the overall shape and size, as well as any unique patterns or growth lines. Use a magnifying glass or loupe to observe the gemstone up close and look for specific characteristics like growth lines, colour zoning, and inclusions. These details can help determine the origin and authenticity of the gemstone.
To test the hardness and durability of a potential sapphire, perform a scratch test. Use a piece of corundum or another lower-grade sapphire to gently scratch the gemstone. If the gemstone resists scratching, it is likely a genuine sapphire due to its remarkable hardness.
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Tools: prospecting pan, two sieves, a shovel, a bucket, a jar
Panning for sapphires can be a fun adventure, but it requires the right tools and knowledge. To pan for sapphires, you'll need a prospecting pan, two sieves, a shovel, a bucket, and a jar. Here's how to use them effectively:
Prospecting Pan:
The prospecting pan is a large, specialised pan used for gemstone hunting. It's perfect for swirling and separating the gravel and sand you collect from rivers or streams. When you swirl the sand and water, the fine-grained sands will wash away, leaving the heavier rocks and gemstones concentrated in the bottom centre of the pan.
Two Sieves:
Using two sieves with contrasting mesh sizes is essential. Place the sieve with a coarse mesh on top of the finer mesh sieve. Fill the top sieve with gravel from your prospecting pan, submerging it in water. Shake the sieves in a circular motion while moving them up and down simultaneously. This action helps suspend the gravel in the water, allowing the smaller stones to release. Once complete, remove the top sieve and sort through its contents. Keep an eye out for stones with a 'glassy' or glossy appearance, even if they are dark in colour.
Shovel:
A shovel is necessary for digging and collecting coarse sand and gravel from the river or stream. Use it to fill your sieves or prospecting pan with material that may contain sapphires.
Bucket:
A bucket is useful for multiple purposes. You can use it to collect and carry water for washing and swirling your gravel. It can also be used to store your findings temporarily until you transfer them to a jar.
Jar:
A jar is the perfect storage container for your sapphires and other gemstones. Look for a jar with an airtight lid to keep your treasures safe and dry. You can also use tweezers to carefully pick up and place your sapphires into the jar, ensuring you don't lose any of your precious findings.
Remember, sapphire hunting can be a cold and wet endeavour, so be sure to wear proper gear, including gumboots and extra clothing, to stay comfortable during your adventure.
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Technique: swirl sand and water, flip pan, dump rocks
Panning for sapphires can be an exciting adventure, especially in places like Tasmania, which is well-endowed with mineral deposits, particularly in the northeast. The thrill of discovery makes it worth paddling knee-high in the cold streams of Tasmania in the winter.
Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum composed of aluminium and oxygen. It is very hard and is not always blue, contrary to the famous gemstones. Sapphires are formed when sapphire-bearing rocks, such as granite and xenolithic basalt, are exposed to the surface, and rivers erode, transport, and concentrate the sapphires into alluvial deposits, such as river beds.
To pan for sapphires, you will need a large prospecting pan, two sieves with coarse and finer mesh sizes, a shovel, a bucket, and a jar to put your findings in. Once you have selected a spot with prospective sapphire concentrations, shovel the coarse sand from the river into your sieves or pan and swirl it around with water. This technique, called "fossicking," involves swirling the sand and water to remove the fine-grained sands, leaving the heavier rocks concentrated in the bottom center.
Then, simply flip your sieve or pan and dump the rocks onto another pan or the ground. Now it's time to look for your treasure! Sapphires will be well-rounded grains, usually less than a centimetre in size, and may not be gem quality in their rough form. A good indicator of sapphires is the presence of black pleonaste spinel, also known as "black jack," within the pan.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a large prospecting pan, two sieves with coarse and finer mesh sizes, a shovel, a bucket, and a jar to put any sapphires in. You should also bring gum boots, hip waders, and extra clothing for cold and wet conditions.
You can pan for sapphires in Tasmania, Australia, or in Montana, USA. In Tasmania, the northeast is particularly good for sapphires. In Montana, you can visit Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, or try your luck at Yogo Gulch.
Sapphires are well-rounded grains, less than a centimetre in size. They are not gem quality in their rough form, so you will need to look closely. A good indicator is the presence of black pleonaste spinel, known as "black jack" within the pan. Sapphires are not always blue; they can also be pale yellow, light blue, pink, orange, or yellow.
Shovel coarse sand from the river into your sieves or pan, and swirl it around with water. Once the fine-grained sands are gone, you will have concentrated the heavier rocks in the bottom centre. Flip your sieve or pan over and dump the rocks onto another pan or the ground, then search for sapphires.
