Stories, tips & tricks
Hunches, Choices and Guesses
September 2013
When you approach a location, even if you've been there before, you should consider all the factors and conditions present at the site. This includes both natural and man-made factors.
When you approach a location, even if you've been there before, you should consider all the factors and conditions present at the site. This includes both natural and man-made factors.
12-Year-Old Unearths Large Diamond
September 2013
It is the eighth largest brown diamond to be found and certified by park staff.
It is the eighth largest brown diamond to be found and certified by park staff.
Twenty Minutes on a Five-inch Dredge
September 2013
The first thing I realized was this was not a toy—this thing had power and I needed to really pay attention. I got into position, took a deep breath, and pushed that monster into the hard pack.
The first thing I realized was this was not a toy—this thing had power and I needed to really pay attention. I got into position, took a deep breath, and pushed that monster into the hard pack.
Time for a New Approach: Detecting Float Gold
September 2013
The first pieces found were in a spot that most gold hunters would not even detect, right in the middle of a downslope meadow.
The first pieces found were in a spot that most gold hunters would not even detect, right in the middle of a downslope meadow.
Ask the Experts
August 2013
Q: Will my detector react to fine gold?
Q: Will my detector react to fine gold?
Common Mistakes of the New Detectorist
August 2013
Detecting is not very complicated and the rewards can be tremendous. The difference between success and fruitless toiling can be remedied by a few small adjustments and a whole lot of perseverance.
Detecting is not very complicated and the rewards can be tremendous. The difference between success and fruitless toiling can be remedied by a few small adjustments and a whole lot of perseverance.
Mining for Gemstones and Mineral Specimens
August 2013
It is better in a gem and mineral mining operation that the driller, blaster and mucker be the same person in order to be able to predict placement of the desired mineral enriched pockets.
It is better in a gem and mineral mining operation that the driller, blaster and mucker be the same person in order to be able to predict placement of the desired mineral enriched pockets.
The Essentials of Dry Washing
August 2013
Most dry washers have a feed rate adjustment. It needs to be set so that the material flows evenly over the riffles and does not bury them.
Most dry washers have a feed rate adjustment. It needs to be set so that the material flows evenly over the riffles and does not bury them.
Fortymile, Alaska Prospecting Adventure
August 2013
Some creeks have nuggets, while others, particulary the rivers, nothing but fine gold.
Some creeks have nuggets, while others, particulary the rivers, nothing but fine gold.
Sampling Placer Stockpiles
August 2013
Sampling other people's stockpiles or dumps has some inherent risks that sampling undisturbed ground does not have.
Sampling other people's stockpiles or dumps has some inherent risks that sampling undisturbed ground does not have.
Prospecting Research
August 2013
These are just some of the ways I have been able to find new spots to metal detect for gold.
These are just some of the ways I have been able to find new spots to metal detect for gold.
Buyer Beware! Counterfeit Metal Detectors
August 2013
When I was recently in West Africa, I got to see and play with my first, phony, Chinese knock-off metal detector.
When I was recently in West Africa, I got to see and play with my first, phony, Chinese knock-off metal detector.
Underground in the Original 16-1 Mine
August 2013
These days they employ the use of metal detectors and carefully scan the shattered rocks, hoping to hear that sound we detectorists love to hear.
These days they employ the use of metal detectors and carefully scan the shattered rocks, hoping to hear that sound we detectorists love to hear.
Study Confirms Mercury Levels Safe in California's Gold Country
July 2013
While the Water Board documented the selenium levels in fish and noted they exceed the levels of mercury, they have yet to acknowledge the numerous scientific studies that show selenium effectively neutralizes the effects of mercury.
While the Water Board documented the selenium levels in fish and noted they exceed the levels of mercury, they have yet to acknowledge the numerous scientific studies that show selenium effectively neutralizes the effects of mercury.
All About Quartz—Part II
July 2013
In our May 2013 issue, we took a look at the mineral quartz, a mineral very commonly associated with gold. However, gold is not the only reason prospectors are interested in quartz. Quartz can also be very valuable as a gemstone
In our May 2013 issue, we took a look at the mineral quartz, a mineral very commonly associated with gold. However, gold is not the only reason prospectors are interested in quartz. Quartz can also be very valuable as a gemstone
Backwards Find
July 2013
I furiously started pulling material out of the side wall and putting it in my scoop. It didn't take long to discover that the source of the scream was from a one-ounce chunk...
I furiously started pulling material out of the side wall and putting it in my scoop. It didn't take long to discover that the source of the scream was from a one-ounce chunk...
An Alaskan in the Lower 48
July 2013
Our destination was some old hydraulic workings where the old miners had washed literally mountains of material away to expose gold in ancient river channels.
Our destination was some old hydraulic workings where the old miners had washed literally mountains of material away to expose gold in ancient river channels.
Romancing the Rock
July 2013
With the exception of well-established operators with proven reserves and years of field experience, the high price of gold brought a flood of speculators, con men, and real estate brokers into the mix who were not previously engaged in the gold mining market.
With the exception of well-established operators with proven reserves and years of field experience, the high price of gold brought a flood of speculators, con men, and real estate brokers into the mix who were not previously engaged in the gold mining market.
Placer Channel Sampling
July 2013
Sampling gold placers can be rewarding, but remember to treat the samples so you are not high grading or low grading your results. Learn the rules and apply them so your samples are accurate.
Sampling gold placers can be rewarding, but remember to treat the samples so you are not high grading or low grading your results. Learn the rules and apply them so your samples are accurate.
Breaking Rock the Old School Way
June 2013
Prospectors have many reasons why they might want to break rocks. These include dividing up a specimen too large to carry.
Prospectors have many reasons why they might want to break rocks. These include dividing up a specimen too large to carry.
