Home >> Science & Nature >> Rocks & Minerals

How Are Rubies Found?

Rubies are valuable red gemstones used for making jewelry. The stones are formed underground with igneous rocks. Different qualities of rubies exist and are found in countries throughout the world. The gems are extracted from the ground using various mining techniques. Underground mining and open-pit mining can be used but are quite costly. These methods are usually used by businesses heavily invested in mining gemstones. Placer mining, or surface mining, is a cheaper and more common technique made popular by early gold miners. You can find your own rubies by panning for the stones.

Things You'll Need

Work clothes
Water boots
Immersion tray
Mining pan

Instructions

- 1
  Select your mining destination. Rubies have been found across the globe from Afghanistan to Russia to Australia. The U.S. has several locations available for mining rubies. North Carolina, specifically Franklin, has many "pan for fee" locations accessible by primary and secondary roads.
- 2
  Find an acceptable spot and pay any necessary fees to begin panning. As water erodes the earth, minerals are taken downstream and settle where the current slows down. Bends in rivers, streams or creeks are excellent places to find rubies. Work clothes and water boots are recommended.
- 3
  Scoop out dirt from the bottom of the water bed and place in an immersion tray or mining pan. Swirl the contents to separate the water from the dirt. As water is removed, heavier sediments remain. Continue to separate the materials by adding and removing water until only solid objects are left.
- 4
  Look carefully at what remains in the pan or immersion tray. Carefully clean and set aside any valuable objects for safekeeping. Take all materials to a specialist for an appraisal.

Rocks & Minerals