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How to Find Pure Gold

Gold deposits tend to rest in places where water gets stuck or sits, such as stream and river beds, as well as cracks in rocks that are exposed to running water. Pure gold is not a common find, which is what makes it rare and valuable. Panning for gold is a traditional way of finding pure gold in its natural setting, and it is a method that is still used today to extract small amounts from water sources where it has come to rest.

Things You'll Need

Water-resistant shoes
Gold pan or a tin pan with a rim

Instructions

- 1
  Take your gold pan to an area where gold deposits may have come to rest, such as river beds, gravel and sand beds or mossy areas. Make sure to wear water-resistant shoes with good treads because they will probably get damp when you are finding a good place to pan for pure gold.
- 2
  Sit or squat on the side of the panning area. Dip a corner of your pan into the water and beneath a bit of dirt, gravel or sand. You want to pick up about a half cup of sediment with your pan and about a full cup of water to go along with it.
- 3
  Use your wrists to spin the pan in a continuous circular motion, so that with every spin you lose a bit of water from the pan. Eventually all the water and loose sediment will be extracted from the pan with your repetitive motions. If you have by chance collected any pure gold in your pan with this panning attempt, it will sink to the bottom of the pan and show up as shiny, yellow flakes.

Gemology