Panning For Gold: What You Need

Gold panning is a fun hobby that gets you outdoors and, if you're lucky, might even make you a little money. The basic equipment you'll need is a gold pan, a shovel, and a willingness to explore. You'll also want a small vial to store any gold you find. Gold panning is all about taking advantage of gold's high density—it's much heavier than other rocks and minerals, so it will settle at the bottom of your pan when you add water. You can then wash away the lighter material on top, leaving just the gold.

There are a few different techniques for gold panning. The simplest method is to use a pan and shovel to collect and sift through dirt and gravel from a river or stream. You can also use a sluice, which is an open-ended box with vertical metal riffles that disrupt the flow of water, allowing gold to settle at the bottom while lighter material washes away. Another option is dry washing, which involves blowing air over the soil to remove lighter material instead of using water.

Gold panning is often done in wilderness areas, so it's important to be mindful of your surroundings and watch out for potential hazards like slippery rocks or wild animals. It's also important to respect private property and follow regulations on public land. With the right equipment, knowledge, and safety precautions, gold panning can be a fun and rewarding outdoor activity.

Gold panning equipment

Gold panning is an exhilarating activity that can be done with minimal equipment. Here is a list of the essential items you will need to get started:

• Waterproof boots: Gold panning is usually done in water, often in icy cold mountain streams, so a good pair of waterproof boots will keep your feet warm and dry.
• Warm socks: It is recommended to wear a couple of pairs of warm socks to provide extra warmth and comfort while standing in cold water.
• Gold pan: There are various types of gold pans available, such as metal, green or blue plastic pans. The colour of your pan is a personal choice, but it should provide a good contrast to the black sand and gold flakes you are seeking.
• Sniffer bottle: This is used for sucking up small bits of gold from your pan.
• Classifier/Sieve/Strainer: A classifier, also known as a sieve or strainer, is optional but helpful. It is used to separate large rocks from the material you want to pan. Classifiers come in different mesh sizes, such as 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch.
• Digging tools: You will need a full-size pointed shovel for digging. A smaller spade, an old screwdriver, or a skinny tool will also be useful for cleaning out small cracks and crevices in the rocks.
• Containers: You will need containers to collect the concentrates (gold-bearing material). A small white plastic pail or a 5-gallon bucket can be used for this purpose.
• Gloves: A pair of rugged leather gloves will protect your hands from blisters and cuts while working with the shovel and other digging tools. Rubber gloves can also be useful to protect your hands from the cold water while panning.
• Tweezers: Tweezers can be used to pick out larger bits of gold, also known as "pickers," from your gold pan.
• Vials: You will need small vials or bottles to store the gold you collect.
• Outdoor essentials: In addition to the gold panning equipment, don't forget to bring the usual outdoor essentials such as a first aid kit, warm clothes, drinking water, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen.

These are the basic items you will need to get started with gold panning. With this equipment, you can head to a gold-bearing stream or river and try your luck at finding some gold! Remember to always follow local regulations and guidelines when panning for gold, especially when it comes to land ownership and environmental impact.

What to wear gold panning

Gold panning is an excellent introduction to the field of prospecting and can be a fun hobby or weekend activity. Here is a list of what to wear and bring along on a gold-panning adventure:

• Footwear: Simple rubber boots are excellent for standing on the river's edge. You don't want ratty old sneakers that'll soak your feet.
• Socks: It might seem counterintuitive, but ski socks are a good choice for a warm-weather gold panning expedition. The calf height ensures that your boots aren't rubbing against your legs, and the thin but padded material wicks away moisture while keeping your feet warm.
• Pants: Even in the warm summer months, it's a good idea to wear pants to protect your legs from brambles, insects, and the general itchiness of plants. Look for utility pants with plenty of pockets, an extra "crouch" gusset, and even some built-in spandex.
• Sun protection: A wide-brimmed hat is good to have when out in the wilds. It adds sun protection for your eyes, face, and neck.
• Prospecting supplies: You'll need a pan, of course. Plastic does just fine and is actually better because it's lightweight, cleans easier, and helps the gold stand out more because it's not blending in with another metal. You can also bring a screen (called a classifier grid), a snifter bottle, and vials for the gold you find.
• Shirt: You'll want a shirt that keeps you cool, keeps you dry, and provides the hardiness to stand up to your prospecting. Look for antimicrobial, water-resistant, quick-dry fabric, built-in SPF protection, and even a hidden lanyard for keeping your gold vials close at hand.
• Eyewear: Rays that bounce off the water can be a concern, so bring some good sunglasses. Look for lightweight, polarized sunglasses with great peripheral coverage.
• Backpack: You'll want a hefty pack to store your panning supplies (and gold stash!), snacks, beverages, and extra socks.
• Gloves: A thin pair of fabric gloves with a rubber-coated palm and fingers work great. Waterproof dishwashing gloves are helpful if the water is cold.

Gold panning techniques

Gold panning is a simple method of separating particles of greater specific gravity, especially gold, from soil or gravel by washing them in a pan with water. Here are some techniques to help you get started:

Choose the Right Equipment:

Start by gathering the necessary equipment, such as a gold pan, waterproof boots, warm socks, a sniffer bottle, a classifier (sieve or strainer), digging tools like shovels and spades, a small pail for collecting concentrates, and gloves for protection. You can find these items on eBay or at your local hardware store.

Find a Good Location:

Look for a stream, river, or creek that has a history of producing placer gold. It's unlikely that you'll find undiscovered gold deposits, so choose a spot with a successful track record. Make sure to get permission from the landowner or stick to public land, respecting any active mining claims or restrictions on prospecting and recreational mining activities.

Dig for Paydirt:

Once you've found your spot, start digging for "pay dirt." Look for areas where the water slows down, such as the inside of bends in the stream or behind large rocks. Gold is heavier than most rocks and minerals, so it will settle in areas with slower-moving water. Dig down to the bedrock, as gold tends to sink as low as it can in the stream bed.

Classify Your Paydirt:

Use a classifier to strain out larger rocks and discard them. Choose a classifier with the right mesh size to let through smaller material more likely to contain gold. Submerge your pan and classifier in the water and shake and rotate the classifier over the pan to allow the smaller material to fall through.

Pan Out Your Paydirt:

Agitate the material in your pan with water to stratify it, with the heaviest material, like gold, settling at the bottom and lighter material rising to the top. Move the pan so that the water washes away the lighter material. Be careful not to pour out the gold with the water. Re-stratify the material periodically to ensure the gold stays at the bottom.

Recover the Gold:

Continue the panning process until you're left with heavy black sand and, hopefully, some gold. The tricky part is separating the gold from the black sand. Practice swirling the black sand to concentrate the gold at the edge of the pan. Use tweezers to pick out larger bits of gold and a sniffer bottle to suck up smaller flakes.

Gold panning is a fun and rewarding activity that can lead to some exciting discoveries. With the right techniques and a bit of practice, you'll be on your way to finding your own gold nuggets.

Where to search for gold

Gold has been found in nearly every state in the US, as well as many other countries around the world. Gold is very heavy, so when freed up by erosion and other disruptions, it will always sink to the lowest point. As such, gold can often be found in waterways, having settled along the bottom of a river or stream bed and become covered by dirt, silt, and sand. Gold can also be found in rock formations, known as 'lode deposits'.

Gold has been mined in the UK since Roman times, with the largest concentrations found in Scotland, North Wales, and southwest England. Gold panning continues to be a popular hobby in the UK, with England's Lake District, the Pennines, the Forest of Dean, and Cornwall all known sites that still produce gold today. In Scotland, the origins of Britain's largest-ever gold nugget, the 'Douglas Nugget', can be found in Dumfries and Galloway. In Wales, the Dolgellau Gold Belt in Snowdonia continues to yield gold, and in Ireland, Gold Mines River in County Wicklow is a popular location for gold hunters.

When searching for gold, it is a good idea to look in places where gold has been found before. In the US, some of the famous gold-bearing districts include the Alleghany, Sierra City, Grass Valley, and Nevada City districts in California; the Cripple Creek, Telluride, Silverton, and Ouray districts in Colorado; the Goldfield, Tonopah, and Comstock districts in Nevada; the Lead district in the Black Hills of South Dakota; and the Juneau and Fairbanks districts in Alaska.

Gold is also often found in areas that have been mined for other precious minerals, such as silver or quartz. In addition, gold is likely to accumulate in certain types of geological formations, such as inside bends of waterways, downstream of rapids or waterfalls, and along cracks and crevices in bedrock.

Gold prospecting clubs

These clubs often provide a wealth of knowledge and resources for those looking to learn more about gold prospecting. They may offer meetings, outings, and other events where members can connect, share tips and techniques, and even search for gold together. Some clubs may also have restrictions or requirements for membership, so it is important to research and understand the club's guidelines before joining.

In addition to gold prospecting, these clubs may also offer a range of other activities for members to participate in. For example, the PCSC has a Crime Scene Search Unit where members can volunteer their time and help local law enforcement agencies find evidence. This not only provides an opportunity to give back to the community but also allows members to utilize their skills and equipment in a unique and meaningful way.

Frequently asked questions