Home >> Science & Nature >> Rocks & Minerals

How to Pan for Rubies

A ruby is a valuable gemstone ranging in color from light pink to blood red. Historically, rubies have been mined in Thailand, Cambodia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, small ruby deposits have been discovered in many other places throughout the world. While it is uncommon to search for rubies by means of panning as one would search for gold, this method can prove successful. Panning for rubies requires no prior training and requires a different technique than panning for gold.

Things You'll Need

Gold pan or small metal bowl
Small box or bag

Instructions

- 1
  Select a location where rubies have been found in the past. To pan for rubies, find a river that runs downstream of a known ruby deposit.
- 2
  Use a gold pan or small bowl to scoop up rocks and sand from the river bed. Pour the water out of the pan gently without allowing any of the stones to drop back into the river.
- 3
  Scoop up clean water into the pan of stones, a few inches upstream from the area you just disturbed. Use your fingers to wash away dirt from the larger rocks, discarding them back into the river as you go. Look for any stone that ranges from pink to red in color.
- 4
  Scoop up a new batch of rocks once you have inspected the entire previous pan. Continue the process for as long as you would like, and progressively move upstream.
- 5
  Set aside any stones you find that are pink or red in color and keep them safe in a small box or bag.

Rocks & Minerals