Even though commercial gold mining has declined, thousands of modern gold-diggers are still after the thrills of a 49er without his hardships and pressures. And the natural supply of gold never runs out. That is why many people of all ages and backgrounds try their luck with either a pan or a suction dredge at the gold-bearing streams.
Above is a list of the gold prospecting equipment and tools available on the market today. You will be able to compare their Specifications and Prices, Reviews and Ratings from real users, and see images - all information to help you choose the right equipment for finding gold.
Plus, this is a great opportunity for you to let the manufacturer of your gold prospecting equipment know what improvements should be made to ensure the most effective search. All manufacturers read these reviews regularly!
If you do not find the name(s) of certain instrument(s) available for review, and you would like it to be listed in a table above, please do not hesitate to submit its name.
Gold Panning Tips:
• When using a steel pan, make sure to remove all the oil from the pan before you use it. The most common way is to "burn" it over the coals of a campfire using extreme caution. The pan is heated to a dull red glow, then dunked in water. This not only removes the oil but also gives the pan a dark blue hue, which makes the gold easier to see. If any oil is left in the pan, it will cause the fine gold to float, making separation impossible.
• Another secret to speed up the final steps is to keep a small squeeze bottle of detergent close at hand. A couple of drops in the pan during the last separation will break the surface tension of the water and speed up the operation considerably.
• A panning sieve is considered a necessary part of the panner's equipment. The sieve sets over the pan and can screen or classify the larger cobbles, making the panning process much easier. The sieves are available in sizes from 1/4 of an inch (4 mesh) to a 100 mesh size screen. The gold pan sieves are most popular with the medium size pan.
• Do not let anyone tell you that the gold-bearing rivers and streams no longer contain gold. Every year, winter storms bring more gold to the surface, continually renewing nature's supply.
It is all there for the taking, and the gold pan is still the best way to get it!
