How To Find Gold Every Time In Any Creek

I've been gold prospecting for 11 years, mainly in the Bradshaw Mountains in Yavapai County, Arizona, where I institute over 8 grams of placer.

Basic four types of placer deposits — Bones four types of placer deposits

Matt Thornton

Reading the Stream

This article volition convey information that I, an amateur prospector, have learned about the location of placer gold. Believe information technology or not, information technology took me quite some fourth dimension to figure out how to increase my odds of finding placer gilded.

Due to the fact that discovering gold is an exciting prospect, people ofttimes delve into the activity but digging, near often near a bank, at a merits where gold has been found before. Usually information technology is later on several trips that the neophyte realizes that there must be more to finding golden (even at a location that has produced gold) than simply digging. Well, the skilful news is that there is more to information technology.

Panning material dug at inside bend — Panning material dug at within bend

John Wilsdon

Gold Is Heavy

The offset piece of information y'all need to understand is that the placement of golden in stream beds is based upon the speed and volume of water that can run in rivers, stream beds, or creeks. Gold is 19 times heavier than an equivalent volume of h2o. It is about 6 times heavier than the solid material flowing downwardly from higher elevations in rapid water equally a result of melting snow pack and pelting. Realizing how heavy aureate is will lead you to the side by side fact most gilt depositing. When rapid moving heavy waters selection upward gold flake or nuggets and takes them down a watercourse, anything that slows the current down gives the gold a chance to settle out and sink to the bottom.

When you get to the site of your claim, many times most a stream bed or aboriginal waterway, look upstream. Clarify the twists and bends as h2o would come toward y'all. One of the first things yous look for is some kind of obstruction to the flow of water. An example that all prospectors with a minimum of experience know of is big boulders. If you run across a large boulder in the stream, particularly if information technology is near a bend, information technology has slowed water. If y'all have looked at rocks in a flowing steam, no uncertainty you have seen eddies or swirling areas on the DOWNSIDE of rocks sticking up out of the h2o. That is because the water has slowed. As gold flake rounds the boulder it is heavy plenty that the current no longer keeps it afloat, and information technology sinks to the bottom where it collects. Rocks under the water can act as barriers and cease gold flake also, but for a newbie, collecting material on the downside of an underwater obstruction is probably a chip across the true beginner'southward capability. Then one place to start excavation is the downside of a protruding big rock. The same is truthful of a tree with a sizable trunk which may be growing in a dry riverbed. Here we encounter an upstanding issue. If you are digging by the trunk y'all run the risk of damaging the tree. I follow this rule (and I have plant flake behind trees). I dig simply do not cutting large roots. Afterward I have removed cloth to wash, I fill in the pigsty. The government expects you to make full in your holes on federal claims, simply not forgetting to make full a hole near a tree is actress important. In the Southwest where I explore, shade is an expensive commodity. As the leader of our club has often said, "A little shade from a good for you tree is more than valuable than gold."

Next, you must realize the common grade of gold downwards a waterway. Think of a steam wandering down from a mountainous area to lower elevations. As the water makes its mode, bends are created. When aureate flake hits an INSIDE Curve, it slows downwardly. Frequently you will also find other heavy materials that have fallen out and formed a bar. The upside of a bar on an inside bend is a very practiced place to sample. If the waterway is dry, focus on where the water has caused a bend. The OUTSIDE OF A BEND would exist the area not protruding in to the stream (see drawing higher up right). If y'all see a lot of material like rocks and gravel on that shore, that might also exist a good place to dig. In a previous commodity about panning at Marshall Gold Discovery Country Historic Park, I constitute ane scrap and a tiny nugget (a pocket-sized piece of quartz with a flake of gilded fastened to it). However, mostly, the inside bend of a stream bed is the primo first place to look for gold.

Bolders or other debris blocking the path of the stream can be a place to locate gold. Look on the downstream side where eddies appear and slow the flow of gold flake. — Bolders or other debris blocking the path of the stream tin can exist a identify to locate gilded. Look on the downstream side where eddies announced and slow the flow of golden scrap.

pixabay

Gilded Clubbers on a Budget

There are plenty of great articles on "how to discover gold." The emphasis here volition be, every bit I said, the amateur prospector, merely likewise a prospector freshly interested in finding gold, and on a budget. Let's confront it, mining equipment is rather expensive. I take institute that one tin take a lot of fun searching for gold with little more a pan, fourteen gallons of water, a tub to hold water, several buckets, a whisk castor, and a snuffer bottle. Are you going to observe every bit much equally someone who owns a $600 dry washer? Probably not, merely at that place are a few people who own such equipment who do not fifty-fifty know what I have learned.

And to make the introduction a bit longer (sad) this information is for people who take decided to bring together a prospecting club. When you lot join, you are able to get to areas that the club has claimed. These areas historically accept produced placer gold. For a newbie to merely go out into the wilderness to try to find golden is overwhelming. You lot need to know something near geology, y'all need to make sure you lot aren't on someone else's claim, y'all need to know how to use a GPS system or be VERY proficient with a compass, and you lot need the feel of an outdoorsman. Joining a society eliminates these considerations since you can go to the claims with a group, render some other day with conviction that yous are in the right place, and brainstorm to learn the steps I am going to tell yous about.

Where would you look for gold? Notice the trail of the wash. — Where would yous look for gold? Notice the trail of the wash.

John Wilsdon

Aureate Flake Size

The next signal I want to mention has to practise with the size of gold flake in a waterway. Since gold is heavy, one time settling out it volition piece of work its mode downwardly through sand and gravel until it hits bedrock, or another substance referred to as false bedrock. In Arizona, I have found that digging in an arroyo yous frequently will striking something pretty difficult. But if you hit it with gusto with a pick or shovel, the material will crumble. That is blended stone (rocks that have essentially been cemented over geologic time with calcium and other minerals to form a very hard continuous chaff) forming a false boulder. When you go to something similar this, outset digging out sideways and moving material away. The textile coating the false bedrock is what you desire. That is where the gold stops its journey through the stream bed. Using a whisk brush and a dustpan, save that material for panning. While whisking, observe whatsoever cracks or crevices which collect gold. Whisk them out or utilise a miners selection to crack the sides and sweep out textile for panning.

Now a consideration for using your time efficiently. Most of us have a express amount of time to prospect because most of us have other responsibilities (even though the thought of living the life of a prospector may seem inviting). If you dig sparingly earlier you bring material dorsum to your camp site for panning in the tub, you are using time to launder your material in the pursuit of gold. If you take already sampled these prime locations and found some chip, your time is better spent gathering "dirt". I usually bring dirt home (or concentrate I have not completely panned, ie black sand). I can exercise my final washing at my dwelling house at my leisure while having more material to pan. I simply mention this if you really are interested in bringing home as much golden flake as you can. In the showtime, I couldn't wait to pan it and see the gold. So I would snuff information technology. What I brought home was a snuffer bottle of material that I panned (which isn't much). Nonetheless, I establish finding the bright yellowish metal right away was more rewarding than bringing clay home. At present that I have satisfied that feeling of elation on seeing "color", I bring dirt home, which theoretically should comprise more than gold!

River bank obstructed by tall grass. — River depository financial institution obstructed by alpine grass.

Grass Is Stealthy

At present for another location to find gold flake (and possibly a nugget- it happens). I have noticed that if you are at an inside bend and you run into a skilful amount of grass growing in a higher place, digging around that grass tin can be profitable. The grass acts as a sift and the heavy gold falls to the roots. Usually the flake you find at that place is very small (fine, sometimes referred to as oat gold), but there can be quite a scrap of it. Of class, no rule for prospecting is perfect, merely all of this gives you good places to sample and then dig for aureate at a club merits.

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I take mentioned sampling a few times. When you sample you lot have material and pan it to definitely determine if aureate exists. Mark that spot and come back to information technology or choose to dig there first.

Most experienced prospectors will take an area and sample in several odds-on places, choosing to do their earthworks where they find the almost bit. Others dig enthusiastically as before long as they discover a sample with gold. When you starting time to prospect, I figure it is whatever you desire to do. I use a 12" black aureate pan every time I get out to dig. Information technology is a handy size and I tin easily encounter gilded flake against the black sand and pan. It is especially easy to see flood gilded.

I think that this gives the first time amateur prospector information that will show important on a first outing with a golden prospecting order. You lot can obtain this level of info merely past talking to the other club members, but that can be hard since you have not already made friends. Afterward a couple outings you volition take made friends and shared information. Usually at that place is a club leader who is also a valuable source of information. From then on, you volition be amazed at what you larn!

May all your club claims be rich with golden!

A rocker box I made with scraps — A rocker box I fabricated with scraps

John Wilsdon

Non So Common Places I Accept Found Gold, An Commodity for the Curious Prospector
Placer gold hunters unremarkably follow the age sometime gilt prospecting rules by excavation in waterways. Here, I share places that have yielded me gilt that may not be so well known. Enjoy and good hunting!!

For the pros Large drywasher.

John Wilsdon

A Treasure of Free Homemade Gold Prospecting Equipment Plans and Commentary
Think the cost of aureate prospecting equipment is a flake pricey? Here is a site with a earth of plans for making your ain, FREE. Reference all kinds of thing you tin can build for your side by side trip to the claim. May all your nuggets be gilded.

The Complete Guide to Gold Detecting Machines - Kellyco Metal Detectors
Don, who lives in Arizona, has been gilt detecting for more than than 12 years. The purpose of this guide is to assistance yous figure out which aureate detector yous should buy based on your prospecting area, the blazon of golden you desire to detect and your budget.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized communication from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Where are the all-time places for aureate prospecting?

Reply: There is an onetime saying that if you lot desire to notice gold, go where information technology has been establish before. If you are trying to make up one's mind a type of location, l would go to the foot of a mountainous surface area and look for signs of white quartz.

Question: Where is the best spot to find gold in the U.S.?

Answer: Interesting question. In all honesty, I have institute more placer aureate at inside bends of Arizona arroyos at places where gold was previously reported plant. In Arizona, Yavapai County is where I have plant the near. There, the Bradshaw mountains are a good place.

Question: Are mountain springs (small narrow h2o literally coming upwards from the ground that turn into branches) around two-4' wide good areas to prospect? I ask this since I have one on my belongings but the stone in and around information technology doesn't match up to annihilation recommended by pros of where to await

Answer: If there is water running through the spring area from above in the rainy season, and at that place is rock up there equally I accept described, it could exist a good identify. If your spring is in an area not fed from above and comes up and and then runs downstream I approximate it is possible, but information technology is difficult to see how any volume of gilded would be pushed up given the weight of gold and the narrowness of the outlets. However, as the saying goes - golden is where you find it.

Question: In one case I find golden, where do I accept information technology?

Reply: Nuggets are generally worth more than placer flakes. If you have a lot, you might want to run into an assayer. A jeweler tin smelt the placer into a nugget or ingot for yous.

Question: Is northwest Ohio a proficient place to explore for gold?

Answer: Here is what I found on the Internet. I am not familiar with Ohio in detail. Seneca County is not most as rich as some other counties in Ohio. Nonetheless, it's home to at least one noted producer of gilded. Seneca County's Dearest Creek has been producing small but consistent golden since it was outset panned in the 19th century. It also runs through Miami Canton where you will observe the Honey Creek Preserve, a popular hiking location."

For a good map of reported gold finds, see https://www.silverrecyclers.com/uploads/blog-epitome...

Of course, Canada isn't that far to the north, and there is a lot of golden upward at that place.

Question: Is at that place whatsoever chance of finding gilded in the upper peninsula of Michigan? I find silver and copper nuggets all the time.

Answer: In that location is apparently fine gold in both upper and lower Michigan. Big deposits may not be there equally in other states with a history of gilded production, similar Alaska and California. In 1881, the Ropes Gilded Mine n of Ishpeming in Michigan'southward Upper Peninsula was started after an outcropping was discovered. The area was mined until 1991. As an bated, gilt is often found with copper and argent. My habitation state of Arizona has uncovered well-nigh of its gilt while mining for copper. In many cases the precious metallic production at copper mines pays for the operation. You may likewise find information technology interesting that the town I live in, Superior, Arizona, is named after the the Lake Superior and Arizona Mining Company (a Michigan company, 1875).

I would definitely examination the areas where yous find the nuggets. For a really great groundwork on Michigan gold, delight encounter https://world wide web.goldrushnuggets.com/goldinmichigan.htm...

Question: I live by a mountain that has had a fast, strong moving river moving past it. Half way at that place is a waterfall. Would there exist much gold down at the lesser?

Answer: What determines the amount of golden is the contents of the mountain above. If h2o is running over an outcrop of gold, no thing how pocket-size, bits of information technology will fall with the water. Those bits volition then fall to the bottom (in that location is usually a well - dug out of the spot where the waterfalls due to the forcefulness of the h2o). If you know gilt has been found there before, fine. Since the U.s. has been scoured past prospectors for 200 or more than years, chances of finding a new deposit are slim. Google the area with the word "aureate" and run across what y'all tin find. However, new discoveries are made in the U.s.a. on occasion. Besides that, you will probably find some interesting stuff folks take dropped at that place. I never pass upward the chance to pan/dive to see what's there. Make sure you lot are with a companion if you do this - buddy organization for safety.

Jonathan from Republic of zambia. on April thirteen, 2020:

Cheers very much for the great ideas in gold prospecting. Iam very interested to know areas were to notice gilded this data volition exist very useful to me. Thank you.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on March 27, 2020:

Thanks for the feedback.

Addison on March 27, 2020:

I tried this site likewise many pop-ups constantly in the manner of reading I'll go to a different site

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on Dec 24, 2019:

You are very welcome. As in whatever endeavor, a little noesis tin can go a person started the right way. Adept luck.

Ashraf on Dec 24, 2019:

Am very appreciate to your real knowledge is very help total to layman

Thank you very very much.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on September 28, 2019:

Hither's hoping yous see with success in your search for a chip of gilt. I found an article outlining the state of claims in Uganda. Well-nigh half way down the folio is a map, although you may already be aware of this. The article brings up some negative commentary on which I cannot comment ane way or some other. I live in the United States and am non familiar with mining laws, politics, and regime in your country. But the map seems to exist pretty current every bit it was printed in the summer of 2018. Adept luck. https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/12/africa/uganda-minin...

Luyimbaazi Samuel on September 28, 2019:

I call up am in the right place and position.

I am starting this business of searching for aureate in my expanse more beyond to see that i get out of poverty which has struck me for many years.

Permit me hope that equally Uganda is placed and located in rich climatic zone things shall get good to me.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on September 03, 2019:

I wish y'all luck. Read everything you can about saving time while you hunt for the gilded, sample, and and so dig and pan bulk. Cheers for the comment.

ahmad on September 03, 2019:

sir i want to transport me some experince

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on July 16, 2019:

Glad yous are enjoying rockhounding. Information technology is one of my favorite pastimes too. My front end yard is full of them! Have fun and be conscientious. Thank you for letting me know.

luis valenzuela on July 16, 2019:

i read your article or this article about 2 months , right effectually when i started my interest in rock searching. ive pretty much have looked for gold or just rockhounding in the areas you mentioned and i have establish some interesting rocks . Not excatly sure what they are only but im learning.Ive collect a skilful amount of rocks and have strated to identify them! its interesting and exciting.. my next pace is to bring together a club. tks john

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on May 26, 2019:

All of the gold I have institute has been in washes fed by mountain runoff nearby. Water runs over gold-bearing rock and deposits smallish bits in very particular places in these stream beds. And then it is chosen placer. In many cases, these areas were formerly mined, but are non commercially profitable.

Await for areas where black sand is deposited; these are areas where heavier material has settled. Golden is heavy. Pop rocks up and wait under them for trapped bits. You may have to dig down a couple anxiety before giving upwards. Then move on to some other possibility. Gold is rare enough that just going out and excavation anywhere volition just go you frustrated. The places I go are places others already know almost and where gold has been found before. Check out government info, geological info, land university athenaeum, and websites that hash out golden. Many of the GPAA associated websites maintained by clubs are very useful. The amateurs there freely share their information. I cannot accost your interest in valuable stones every bit I have never searched for them or found whatever while gold prospecting. In that location are places in California where yous tin can pay to go to former semi precious stone mines and have a day outing.

I use google maps to survey areas I have found golden to look for nearby places with sand bars, gravel confined, and their location to the path of h2o.

This can be easier than spending a day hiking and surveying but not being able to actually dig.

It is an astonishing hobby, simply don't practise it expecting to get rich. I know a lot of people who enjoy getting a trivial gold - only they enjoy the outdoors and fresh air more. Finding some gold caps the twenty-four hours! For a lot more data, please encounter https://world wide web.goldfeverprospecting.com/whtofigoinun....

Best of luck, and cheers for asking.

How-do-you-do sir on May 26, 2019:

I am new by and large in which places at that place are more chances to notice aureate or valuable stones

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on Feb 13, 2019:

I would proceed them as nuggets. You lot tin have them to most mining or prospecting stores and ask for an evaluation. If your metal detector read the rock equally gold, don't break it up. Your news sounds heady. Congratulations on the find. Furthermore, proceed the info almost location to yourself. :)

James Miller on Feb 12, 2019:

I constitute three rocks with my metallic detector looks similar some gilt,silver and quartz do I crush them and pan them or proceed them equally nuggets?

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on Jan xvi, 2019:

Where are yous located? It is always a practiced thought to check things out with the government. In my country (U.s.), I oftentimes double cheque things with the Bureau of State Management. Thank you for the question, and bask yourself. Proficient luck.

Syam on January xvi, 2019:

Hello John..

I volition but offset gold prospecting simply only for fun and spending the weekend. I volition start in the highland river in my area, do I need to inquire permission from the authorities?

Thank you

John R Wilsdon (writer) from Superior, Arizona on September 21, 2018:

Brian B

I agree with your observations. The dirt sediment is very dry hither in Arizona, for obvious reasons. It can be mistaken for just some sand wash. Simply soon after scratching, it is conspicuously identified. For some reason folks seem averse to inspecting the clay. I am not sure why. It has provided me with a lot of excitement at times. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!

Brian B on September twenty, 2018:

Hello John. I recognize you from K+ where I am the owner of a prospecting community.

I live and prospect in North Carolina. Peculiarly effectually the uwharrie national wood and surrounding Randolph and Davidson counties. I think the most important part of prospecting is the expanse and the make up of material. Clay. Clay. Clay. In NC near of the all-time placer gold is on height or in the clay sediments. Rhyolite decaying clay has been very lucrative for me. Before ever getting a pan moisture, study the geology of your surface area. For instance, out w is bully for crevicing. Here, it's not as worth it considering of the clay sediments.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on September 19, 2018:

nasir

I have found aureate in both places. It can collect on an inside curve rather well. Cracks in boulder and depressions filled with clay on the downside are good sources also. I would shoot for the bends first. Thanks for the comment, and good luck.

nasir on September 17, 2018:

which is the all-time . if i found there near by water surface area down side in the water area or plough side water area.

John R Wilsdon (writer) from Superior, Arizona on September sixteen, 2018:

harpia2

Cheers for your kind comment. Venezuela is rich in minerals. Best of luck to y'all.

harpia2 on September 16, 2018:

i am from venezuela..i like this commodity..information technology helps in some style..all thougt i am a miner..give thanks a lot.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on August 25, 2018:

Best of luck to you.

New Mexico tin get pretty hot so accept a lot of h2o, and let someone know where you lot are going.

Jimmy Rice on August 24, 2018:

I would very much like to go find gold and crystals with you. I know a place called Origrandy NM.

John R Wilsdon (writer) from Superior, Arizona on January 21, 2018:

You lot have found a dandy pastime. Here is a neat commodity about Texas gold. http://www.findgoldprospecting.com/where-to-find-g...

Justin Bunn on January 21, 2018:

I am new to prospecting And enjoying every minute of information technology. I'grand not out here to get rich but to find history in the making would definitely be a swell testimony to my story. I have panned in modest areas and accept institute small flakes to me I take accomplished what I gear up out but I'chiliad trying to notice places closer to my home I live virtually Texarkana Texas. Is in that location anywhere close to my location to pan for aureate ?

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on September 07, 2017:

James Iyle

Silvery and gray streaks tin be a number of things. My first inclination is forget well-nigh the grayness and concentrate on understanding the association with orangish dirt. You lot tin get a skilful idea of why the orange can indicate precipitation of aureate and iron at this site http://world wide web.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/533-...

If gilt was pushed up from the bowels of the earth in globe'due south primordial times, the melting betoken of fe and golden is important to understand. Each melts at a similar temperature and could come up together.

I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment.

James lyle on September 07, 2017:

I want to know if at that place gilt in orange dirt it has silver looking streaks everywhere

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on May 02, 2017:

For Roy Seel

Flake is non dense enough to exist picked upwardly. I suppose it depends on the detector, merely it would have to exist a pretty big bit. It volition pick up nuggets and some pickers. My metal detector won't fifty-fifty pick up flake in a canteen. Information technology isn't compact plenty. Thanks for the inquiry.

Roy Seel on April 27, 2017:

If that close to surface why not use Metallic Detector ?

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on March 05, 2017:

James miller

Y'all could exercise that, but you probably will only blow the textile far away from y'all. Utilize safety glasses. If you do it, accept a large tarp laid out (or two). I would try a star drill and use a three pound sledge hammer. Using a power drill with masonry bit would be better, but power is always a problem in the boonies. Difficult rock mining is hard and expensive. That is why I focus mainly on placer, and why commercial outfits have to have a really good vein to consider working. If y'all are in an area previously mined, try panning material at the bottom or entrance. I have picked upwardly flakes this manner.

Cheers for the research.

James miller on March 04, 2017:

Can I use a chisel and hammer on a quartz vein with a bespeak from my metal detector in bedrock?

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on February 07, 2017:

To M.swami

I accept no personal knowledge of the geology of Republic of india. Gold is found in all the states of the United States. I suspect the same is true in Republic of india. One must realize that gold deposits must exist very rich for a commercial mine. Pocket-sized veins done from elevation can yield placer. Talk to or read most those who have found placer earlier. I know of several areas in the U.Due south. downstream from mines that produce adept placer for a recreational prospector. Here is a link to a map of gold mines in India with one mayhap of special involvement to you in E Singhbhum. http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/minerals/gold-mine...

M.swami on February 07, 2017:

Equally an Indian ,I'm still in behind of color with no big success only for my passion and interest. Do you lot thing ,Is in that location any chance in eye east part of India.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on November 25, 2016:

I never get tired of looking for colour. But beware. Once you start, you lot may never be able to quit! Practiced luck.

John R Wilsdon (writer) from Superior, Arizona on Nov 25, 2016:

Hard rock mining and placer mining are 2 different things. Still, Due south Africa is rich in gold. If tin can search areas that drain from gold mining areas, peradventure yous will accept some success. If you know of gilded areas in mountains, search areas that drain from at that place. It is a wonderful pastime. Best of luck.

Bless on November 24, 2016:

this is by far an interesting article i read, it got me existent curious, i wanna attempt my luck in my country.

John R Wilsdon (writer) from Superior, Arizona on November eleven, 2016:

People practice get surprised when I tell them in that location is gold in their surface area. I believe every state has gilded - including Rhode Island. It doesn't have to exist commercially viable to be recreational and a pleasant hobby. The prices are good there, and might fifty-fifty be the best. Sometimes you tin find used equipment (which is the way I went). But and then, I was on a really tight upkeep. There is a company out of California named Thompson where you tin purchase a hand crank model, a bit more expensive, and and then wait to upgrade with a motor. Cheers for the annotate.

Holle Abee from Georgia on June 30, 2013:

This is so cool! I've done a little aureate panning in the North GA mountains, and now I'm fix to do some more. Nosotros didn't practise it "seriously" - our panning was more of an entertainment for the kids. On our side by side trip to the mountains, I'm using your tips! Voted upward, etc.

John R Wilsdon (writer) from Superior, Arizona on March 28, 2013:

mariannechase

Thanks. Hope you as well can find treasure!

mariannechase on March 26, 2013:

Hmm... interesting. I am new to hubpages, but feeling adept o be part of it! You described it skilful.

John R Wilsdon (writer) from Superior, Arizona on March 25, 2013:

BobMonger

Cheers for the comment. Aye, I judge the 49ers discovered how Nevada is a dissimilar geology from California. I wish there was a cheap way to crush stone!

BobMonger from Carlin, Nevada Usa on March 25, 2013:

Dandy hub, john. Very informative and well written. I alive in golden mining country here in northeast Nevada and have done a flake of prospecting myself. Yet here gold deposits are of the disseminated variety so a working noesis of geology is a must. Very seldom will you actually see gold but with a bit of detective work ore bodies can be institute.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on March 17, 2013:

Information technology is a fun hobby, but don't sink a lot of money into it at first. You will find that aureate is VERY hard to detect. Over the course of 3 years and many trips to claims I have accumulated 2 grams. That won't pay for my gasoline. Simply there is always the possibility of finding a great treasure. Cheers for the annotate.

Chen on March 16, 2013:

This is inspiring. I will accept to look into my expanse to see if there is whatsoever possibilities within travel distance. What a great hobby-- skilful luck with it! Great hub.

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on February 03, 2013:

Yes. I am a desert prospector. I cannot imagine excavation in the snow. One fourth dimension I watched a guy on YouTube prospecting in the winter in Wisconsin! I never thought about information technology - he is tougher than I am. Thank you.

Dolores Monet from Eastward Declension, United States on February 03, 2013:

Having spent much of my childhood playing in and effectually a stream, I can see where this prospecting business organisation would be so much fun! I love camping and fooling around in the water. Only the guy out there in the snow? Ugh. Voted up and tweeted!

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on Dec 12, 2012:

Thanks, Johan Smulders

Glad the hub was of use. It is amazing how you tin can choice upward footling tricks of the merchandise the longer yous practice the search for the vivid yellow. I don't know if there is a lot of placer mining in Due south Africa, but I am guessing so. Your state has so many rich lode areas that it would be interesting to explore alluvial areas at the base of operations of mountains. Adept luck.

Johan Smulders from East London, S Africa on December 11, 2012:

Having panned for golden in several places in the U.s.a. and finding some flakes I wish I had read this article earlier equally it is very helpful and would have increased my chances.Thanks!

Eiddwen from Wales on Oct 20, 2012:

A brilliant hub ;slap-up work and enjoy your weekend.

Eddy.

Suzanne Sheffield from Mid-Atlantic on March 12, 2012:

At the time I was living in Easley, South Carolina I did not realize that the stream on my belongings, the bottom of which contained blackness sand, could have been a skilful place to pan for gold! If only!!!

Derdriu on November xix, 2011:

John000: Prospecting is such a fascinating topic. 2 of my great-uncles participated in the Alaska aureate rush. One of my uncles was a mining engineer in Chile. He loved to collect and share mining experiences and prospecting adventures.

Cheers for such a articulate explanation of the process (including the importance of joining a guild of like-minded prospectors), voted upward, etc.,

Derdriu

Certified Gold on October 13, 2011:

Corking Hub John! Prissy Info, Thanks !!

John R Wilsdon (author) from Superior, Arizona on October 08, 2011:

Peter Lumetta

I read a book published at the plow of the century by a mining engineer. His specialty was dredging. The Yuba river was an expanse equally rich in gold as they come up in its twenty-four hour period. The machines they used are incredible. Perhaps I'll get to the north fork someday. Thanks for the comment.

PETER LUMETTA from KENAI, ALAKSA on Oct 07, 2011:

Afterwards working our claims in Alaska for the summer I would go down to northern California and pan the creeks and rivers with cracking success. I had a lot of success on the north fork of the Yuba River and spent many a mean solar day just walking the creek and panning. Gilt and so was at $400 now at $1600 I could get pretty fat. Just respect other folks and their claims and you won't get shot. Thanks,

Peter

rwelton from Sacramento CA on Oct 07, 2011:

John000

Living in Northern CA. provides great opportunity for amateur golden panning right alongside the pros. Correct after a heavy storm is great opportunity for finding those illusive little flakes...but watching the price of gold steadily climb...makes a pocket-sized investment in equipment makes for a fun outing.

rlw