Q&A for How to Pan for Gold

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How can I tell if a creek has gold?

Community Answer

Research the type of rock that is found upstream. Rocks containing quartz have the potential to form gold. Hence, any streams located around an area containing quartz have the potential to hold gold.

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Question

Will gold collect above or below a large rock?

Community Answer

It will collect below a large rock because the minerals to form it come from the ground.

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Question

Is raw gold found in the river worth the price of gold on the stock market?

Community Answer

Not usually. The price depends on many different things, such as purity. If you purify it, you might get close.

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Question

How do I sell panned gold?

Community Answer

You can likely find a local jeweler or gold buyer who will buy it from you. You also may be able to sell it online. Make sure you do some research on prices before you take it to any potential buyers, and never take the first offer they make. Get as close as you can to the top dollar price before parting with it.

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Question

What does fool's gold look like?

Community Answer

It looks like a bunch of compressed minerals. If you hit it with a hammer it shatters, while if you hit real gold with a hammer it just flattens.

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Question

How can I distinguish between pyrite, placer gold and mica?

Community Answer

You can tell pyrite from real gold because it forms little crystalline cubes. Gold will be found in oddly shaped lumps or little "flecks" in the pan.

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Question

How much do pans cost?

Community Answer

On Amazon you can get 14 inch plastic pans for under 10 dollars. Just search "gold pan" and you will find some.

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Question

How can I tell if I've got gold when panning for it?

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Community Answer

Gold is found in its native form; that is, the nuggets and flakes will be very pure golden color. After most of the dirt has been removed, shiny specks should be visible at the bottom of the pan. The gold will be the brightest yellow specks; other minerals will be slightly different-colored, and pyrite looks more like a grayish or faded yellow color.

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Question

Can you only find small pieces of gold or can you find decent sized pieces?

Community Answer

Most large gold deposits have already been mined, so it is unusual to find larger pieces, but not unheard of.

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Question

Is it likely that I will find gold on my first try ever?

Cool Science for nerds

Community Answer

It depends. If you know where the gold is on your first try, you'll find it, however that is uncommon, because gold is relatively uncommon. Even if you have a lot of knowledge about gold, it's still mostly about luck.

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Question

How do I purify gold?

Cool Science for nerds

Community Answer

It's not easy. Most methods of purifying gold involve toxic cyanide or a corrosive, acidic chemical called aqua regia. If you ask me, it's not worth the trouble.

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Question

Is it likely that I would find gold on my first try ever when panning for gold?

Community Answer

Probably not because panning takes a lot of practice. If you do though, then you are very lucky.

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Question

Will I find gold in my backyard?

Justin18

Community Answer

Depending on where you live in the US, you might find gold in the western states but if you live in the east you don't have much chance. And even if you live in the west, you probably still won't find any.

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