Prospecting & Detecting
Sierra County Gold—Part I
December 2013 by Chris Ralph
...this county contained some of the richest placer ground found in all of California and still produces some pretty impressive finds to this day.
Additional articles that might interest you...
The Madonna Nugget
October 2013
It was down deeper than I expected for surface trash. It wasn't until I was down six inches that the target screamed from my scoop.
It was down deeper than I expected for surface trash. It wasn't until I was down six inches that the target screamed from my scoop.
Revisiting the Rocker Box
August 2016
The first location we worked was a small, dry ravine cutting through many mineralized zones in an area where some hard rock mining had taken place in the past.
The first location we worked was a small, dry ravine cutting through many mineralized zones in an area where some hard rock mining had taken place in the past.
Detecting During Summer Heat
August 2015
This concept of detecting does not always work as we sometimes get a week or so where the temperatures rise to 116°—sometimes more.
This concept of detecting does not always work as we sometimes get a week or so where the temperatures rise to 116°—sometimes more.
My Lucky Month of March
June 2013
My wife Maureen and I spend part of our winter season in the Quartzsite, Arizona area. One fine March morning, we left our RV camping area at approximately 10am in search of that elusive yellow metal with our metal detectors.
My wife Maureen and I spend part of our winter season in the Quartzsite, Arizona area. One fine March morning, we left our RV camping area at approximately 10am in search of that elusive yellow metal with our metal detectors.
A Few Pointers About Cracks and Crevices
October 2013
Because these crevices catch and hold gold so well, it's worthwhile to learn how they form, which ones are good for catching gold and which ones are not.
Because these crevices catch and hold gold so well, it's worthwhile to learn how they form, which ones are good for catching gold and which ones are not.
Exploring Snakehead
April 2015
On our fourth trip, we finally reached the top edge of the old hydraulic pit, and it was monstrous.
On our fourth trip, we finally reached the top edge of the old hydraulic pit, and it was monstrous.
Determining the Amount of Gold in Rich Ores
February 2016
This is just the type of specimen that could have been easily ignored by the old-time miners. It felt a little heavier in my hand than a chunk of quartz of that size ought to have been.
This is just the type of specimen that could have been easily ignored by the old-time miners. It felt a little heavier in my hand than a chunk of quartz of that size ought to have been.
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