Quote:
Originally Posted by slodave
I should add some info....
There are two gold prices. The first is what we all follow, currently in the $1200.- range. There is also the specimen value, which can be two to three times that.  But... The gold that is naturally found is not 99% pure, anywhere from 18 to 23%, so selling specimens is where you can make money. 
It's still a hobby, I really don't expect to get rich. I'd be happy with the couple hundred I have invested in equipment and gas. |
Back when I was a teenager and climbin all over the East Fork my second sluice box was made of wood..and when wet it got heavy...an retired guy who prospected as a hobby was runnin a nice 4lb Aluminum sluice box...He aske when are ya gona git one f these aluminum jobs...I said when I find enugh Gold to pay forit...He said then you never will git one...So I rushed on down the hill to the rock store they had in Azusa, CA back in the day and bought one for $15.00. Which was big money back in them days. Still have that box BTW..
BTW Partner when U got water running through the sluice never put your hand in the sluice..your hand disturbs the current and creats turmoil which will make the Gold jump..Bring a small piece of plywood to cut the flow of water off if you wana pick out something. U also wana have your sluice at just enough of a sloping angle so that when ya dump the dirt it slowly eats away at the leading edge...As for a pan I always wa spartial to the metal pans the rustier and more pitted the better to create a rough bottom .but make sure they is no oil or grease in the pan asit will float the Fines right outa your pan.. The idea is keep shaking the pan to settle the Gold which is 20 X heavier than water to the bottom and then float out the lighter pebbles and sand..Always be sure to break up any clay cause some Gold might be trapped in the clay.