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How to Pan for Gold & Gemstones in North Carolina

With gold first discovered in North Carolina in 1799, the state boasted the nation's only gold-producing region until the mineral's discovery in California in 1848. No longer a major gold producer, North Carolina still welcomes amateurs who continue to successfully pan for gold and gemstones in the state's former gold-mining regions. You just need a pan -- and time.

Things You'll Need

North Carolina travel guides
Gold pan or pie pan
Small glass jar with lid

Instructions

- 1
  Browse the Internet and travel guides and pick a location where you would like to pan for gold and gemstones in North Carolina. Good bets include Little Buffalo Creek in Rowan and Cabarrus counties, Dutch Buffalo Creek in Cabarrus County and Cabin Creek in Moose County.
- 2
  Put your pan in the stream or river once you've found your mining spot, and scoop up several cups of sand and gravel. Add water to make a soupy consistency.
- 3
  Move the pan back and forth to allow the gold to sink while you slowly discard the rocks and sand. Keep your eyes out for gemstones. People have found rubies, emeralds, sapphires and garnets in North Carolina streams and rivers.
- 4
  Inspect your pan carefully once all the rocks are gone and only a small amount of sand remains. If you have found a gold flake, touch it with your finger (it will stick) and transfer it to the glass jar by pouring water over your finger.
- 5
  Repeat the process in several different places along the stream or river. Panning along the insides of bends and in the slow water area just below rapids provides the best opportunity for success. Gold also tends to collect in crevices and depressions in rocks at the bottoms of rivers and streams.

Gemology