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Placer Gemstones
December 2001 by Edgar B. Heylmun, PhD
Only the so-called “precious gems” will be considered in this article. They are diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. A “gem” must be rare, hard, and durable, and possess a unique color or quality in order to be classified as a gem.Additional articles that might interest you...
The Golden Streams of Butte County, California
May 2011
Even though these were some of the earliest placer deposits to be worked, there is still plenty of gold left today—it just takes more work to recover. Knowing about the old locations where gold has been found is the first step to success.
Even though these were some of the earliest placer deposits to be worked, there is still plenty of gold left today—it just takes more work to recover. Knowing about the old locations where gold has been found is the first step to success.
Is a Gold Rush Coming to the Iron Range?
September 2004
Scientists from the state Department of Natural Resources reported that they recently discovered the highest concentrations of gold particles ever found in the state during routine soil sampling near Soudan.
Scientists from the state Department of Natural Resources reported that they recently discovered the highest concentrations of gold particles ever found in the state during routine soil sampling near Soudan.
Placer PGMs in Alaska
January 2000
The state of Alaska is huge, over twice the size of Texas, with most of the population in just a few towns. The northern third of the state is north of the Arctic Circle, and vast regions are only sparsely populated.
The state of Alaska is huge, over twice the size of Texas, with most of the population in just a few towns. The northern third of the state is north of the Arctic Circle, and vast regions are only sparsely populated.
Conductive Minerals and Your Metal Detector
August 2014
...most prospectors don't even think about the conductivity of minerals, but there are some that do conduct electricity to a certain degree, so metal detectors will respond to them.
...most prospectors don't even think about the conductivity of minerals, but there are some that do conduct electricity to a certain degree, so metal detectors will respond to them.
The Bawl Mill
October 2002
• No end in sight to tax and spend
• Leadership or sinking ship?
• No end in sight to tax and spend
• Leadership or sinking ship?
Gold Deposition and Gradients of Placer Streams—Part I
June 2012
When placer miners from the gold rush era began experimenting with the slope of their sluices, they must have pondered the ideal slope for trapping gold in a creek bed too. Logic suggests the same is true for streams...
When placer miners from the gold rush era began experimenting with the slope of their sluices, they must have pondered the ideal slope for trapping gold in a creek bed too. Logic suggests the same is true for streams...
Ask The Experts: Could you expand on your previous blasting article?
January 2017
Q: Could you write more about the last two methods that you mentioned—the expanding chemical mixtures and the micro blasters, how and when to use them, and when not to use them?
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