What is gold panning?
Panning is a technique to prospect gold and diamonds along the river banks or alluvial deposits with the help of a pan designed just for gold prospecting.
Honestly, gold panning is a meandering, back-breaking process which needs a lot of patience and time to find valuable gold.
So what exactly happens during the panning process? The pan is partly filled with soil, stones, and gravel from a slow current stream; then the pan is immersed into the water, which will end up wetting the soil and rocks in the pan, the large particles picked out and thrown away, whereas the small particles come up to the surface.
Now the lighter particles are eliminated by tilting the pan slowly, and then you continue to shake and gyrate the pan accordingly until only heavy black sands and gold remains. The pan is left to dry, and the gold is separated from the mixture.
How does a gold pan work?
A typical pan for gold panning should have a smooth inner surface, with sides sloping at 45°. A pan chosen for gold prospecting must be free from rust and grease because that will greatly affect the metal deposited on the bottom of the pan.
Gold pans are of various designs that have been upgraded over the years. We have iron, heavy steel pans, and plastic pans.
Many gold prospectors use red or green plastic pans to differentiate the gold from black sand since it’s visible on a red surface.
Also, choosing a plastic pan is convenient because it doesn’t get eroded, rusted, acid corrosion. In most cases, they come with molded riffles on one side of the pan to easily retain the materials deposited in it.
How to learn and practice gold panning?
Just like metal detecting, you need some practice to become a pro at gold panning. Especially this one is not as easy as metal detecting; it’s more of a meticulous job.
The best way to learn gold panning is to watch and observe the work of pro-gold panners. This will help you get an idea of how to pan gold when you go for gold prospecting.
You can also have a few trials practicing along the river banks with a small amount of sediment in a pan along with a small copper wire. Since copper has a lower density than gold, if you can pick out the copper from the sediment, then you are ready for your final Gold prospecting.
Instructions for successful gold panning :
Break up any large lumps of dirt
Always remember to break up the sediment into tiny bits without any lumps because it might get washed away in the water, or you might end up losing valuable gold dust and particles in it if you fail to break it down without any lumps.
Find a suitable place along the riverside and fill 2/3rd of your pan with sediment and fill it with water now; use your hands to break down the sand and remove the gravel gently.
Dissolve the sand particles before letting go of the ones with lower density float on the top of the pan.
Discard any larger stones
Once you dissolve any lumps in the sediment collected, you start discarding any rocks or stones that settle down at the bottom of the pan.
Be cautious before discarding the stones and other particles, and check for any gold dust or nuggets present at the bottom of the pan.
Repeat the process and add more water. When the pan is full, lift the classifier out and shake it gently to pick out any small rocks or stones present. Then continue the same process.
Rhythmic movement is essential
In gold panning, movement is the key. If you are an amateur, it would be difficult to catch up to the constant swirling and to shake by holding the pan with one hand.
When you keep swirling and shaking, the lightweight particles will be washed away with water, while the gold particles will settle down in the bottom.
Shake the pan gently and swirl swiftly to lose the water, and more heavy particles get settled down in the bottom.
Add a little more water and continue the swirling constantly, which will help the gold settle down.
Keep a pair of tweezers and a bottle to store gold finds
Once you discard all the heavyweight particles, scrape off the top layer of sand out of the pan, or tilt the pan and let it fall away.
Finally, you will be left with only a layer of black sand, which contains magnetite and gold along with other particles.
Now, separate these two and pick out the gold particles with a pair of tweezers and transfer it to a bottle or a small pan, or a container.
Please don’t use your hands to pick the gold particles because they are so tiny, or you might hurt your hands while picking them out. So always carry tweezers and a bottle.
The ultimate buying guide for gold panning
Start with a Kit
Start your gold panning journey by starting with a kit. Make sure your kit has it all starting from the pan, sifter, magnifier, bottle or vial, tweezers, and magnetic separators.
Especially if you are starting to hunt for some gold, we highly recommend you have all the equipment needed to ensure your gold prospecting journey goes the way you wanted.
Suppose you are not sure to settle down on which kit would be advantageous to you. No worries! We have got that covered as well.
We have recommended some of the best kits to carry it for your lucky gold prospecting journey!
Skill Level
Gold panning doesn’t need any skill level to begin with, as far as you know how it works and how to do the panning process in the low current stream successfully.
You need not possess any certain skill set for gold panning, but you need to learn from the best gold panners out there.
Carry your kit with you and accompany any experienced gold panners you know or try to get in contact with them. If that doesn’t work for you, watch some YouTube videos on how to do gold panning.
Once you are familiar with the process, grab your kit, get out there near any alluvial deposit, do a couple of trials on the weekend to get the grip of it.
Choose Your Color
This is a tricky part, especially if you are an amateur, then choosing the right color plays a vital role in your gold panning process.
Well, you might ask why choosing the color of the pan is that important? It’s because, towards the end of the process, you will be left with a layer of sand on top of the pan. Once you scrape that off, you’ll be left with black sand and gold particles.
If you end up buying a black color pan, then differentiating black sand from the pan might be a tad difficult to do so. Hence it’s best if you choose a red or green color pan for making your job easier.
Plastic VS Metal
Choosing the type of material the pan is made of is as important as other criteria. The widely used pan is the Russian Iron pan; some people use steel and other metallic pans.
Some prospectors use iron or steel, but choosing a metallic pan could pose a problem when it comes down to segregating magnetite from gold.
It’s highly recommended if you opt for a plastic pan because there are absolutely no issues with that. Bonus – it’s not as heavy as an iron or a metallic pan.
Design & Shape
Design and shape are very, very important. If there are no molded riffles on the pan, the probability of you washing away or letting go of all the gold particles is very high.
Choose a design that comes with riffles, preferably on both sides. When it comes to the shape of the pan, it should be hollow and circular, with the sides sloping out at 45°.
If the design and shape are compromised or settle down for a much simpler one, then the whole process would be a failure without properly designed equipment!
Size of the pan
The size of the pan should be chosen carefully because you can’t buy a small-sized pan or end up with a long diameter-sized pan.
An ideal pan should always measure between 10-16 inches in diameter. With the sides sloping at 45° or between 30-45°.
The widely used size is 14 inches, with a 45° slope. So choose your pan according to your level of comfort and which makes it easy for you to carry it around.
List of best Gold Panning kits
SE 14″ Green Plastic Gold Pan with Two Types of Riffles – GP1014G14
About the product :
The SE plastic gold pan is the simplest cost effective pan for your gold panning journey.
Since the pan is made of plastic, it is lightweight, and you need not worry about the separation process between magnetite and gold flakes, corrosion, and rust resistance.
The lightweight feature makes it easy for you to shake and swirl the water along the low current stream without inflicting pain on your hands.
It is the perfect size for gold panning with 14 inches diameter wide.
It can trap even minute particles with the designated riffle type.
It is durable and non-breakable, and it’s easy to carry in your backpack.
They come in three different colors, and you should also check out their five-layered sifter, which can get you the most out of your gold panning.
Key Features
Easy to use and durable
Perfect size and affordable price
Comes with deep and shallow riffles
Available in three different colors(Blue, green, and black)
⅛ round base to trap any minute particles
Pros
It is made of good quality plastic, so rustproof and corrosion-proof.
The separation of magnetic particles and gold flakes from the sand is made easy.
The color of the pan makes it visible to distinguish between different black sand and other particulates easily.
Cons
Many duplicate brands try to copy and sell the authentic SE plastic pan replica.
It is a very basic pan, not a complete kit. Additionally, a sifter has to be bought separately.
SE 5-Piece Set of Patented Stackable 13-¼” Sifting Pans – GP2-5 SET
About the product :
The SE 5-piece multi-layered sifter can be used along with the SE 14 inches plastic pan. This is a cost-effective multi-layered sifter to make your gold panning easy.
The sifter is made of stainless steel, and it is completely rust and corrosion-proof. Although it is made of stainless steel mesh, the outer rim is made of plastic.
This sifter makes it easy for you to eliminate the gravel, stones, and other small rocks from the sediment.
This sifter is perfect to be used with any kind of gold pan you have already.
The lightweight feature also makes it easy for you to stack and pour the sediment onto the sifter with no big deal.
It is perfect for your pans with 14 inches diameter wide. It is 13 ¼ inches in diameter.
It is durable and non-breakable, and it’s easy to carry in your backpack since it is stackable. It can compactly fit inside your bag along with the pan.
Key Features
Easy to use and durable
Multiple sized mesh sizes available at affordable price
Comes with a deep bottom surface to collect more sediments in less time
Stainless steel mesh with corrosion and rust resistance
Fits perfectly for a 14-inch gold pan.
Pros
It is made of high-quality stainless steel mesh, so rustproof and corrosion-proof.
Separation of gravel, stones, and other particles can be done in a jiffy.
It comes in various mesh styles with different sizes.
Cons
Many duplicate brands try to copy and sell the authentic SE plastic pan replica.
It is a classifier, so additionally, you need to buy a pan for gold panning. It is not a complete kit.
Stansport Mining Kit
About the product
The Stansport mining kit is the ultimate kit for gold panning. It is like the James bond of gold panning kit, which comes with every piece of equipment you’ll ever need for your gold panning journey.
This deluxe kit comes with a 1.5″ gold pan, 14″ gold pan, two gold vials (1 oz. and 1/2 oz.), precision tweezers with magnifier, hand trowel, resource book, plastic 3/8″ mesh classifier, and snuffer bottle.
Nevertheless, if you are a pro or an enthusiastic gold panner, this kit makes you feel like you are a pro at what you do.
A magnifier comes attached with the tweezers; you could search the sediment for any gold flakes and pick them out with the help of the tweezers.
The lightweight feature makes it easy for you to shake and swirl the water along the low current stream without inflicting pain on your hands.
It is the perfect size for gold panning with 14 inches diameter wide.
It can trap even minute particles with the designated riffle type.
It is durable and non-breakable, and it’s easy to carry in your backpack.
Bonus – it comes with a snuffer bottle and a small vial to transfer your gold finds into it.
Key Features
- Easy to use, and the complete kit
- Perfect size with 14 inches gold pan and 10.5 inches gold pan.
- Comes with hand trowels and a mesh classifier.
- Has a precision tweezer with an attached magnifier
- Two gold vials (1 oz. and 1/2 oz).
Pros
- It is made of good quality plastic, rustproof, and corrosion-proof.
- The separation of magnetic particles and gold flakes from the sand is made easy with the help of classifiers, tweezers, and magnifiers.
- Easy transfer of your gold finds into the vials.
Cons
- The steel in the hammer is flimsy and can’t break open a rock.
- The price is on the expensive end.
SE Prospector’s Choice Gold Panning Kit and 2 Green Pans (7 PC.) – GP5-KIT107
About the product :
The SE prospector choice gold panning kit is a great kit for beginners, a cost-effective kit for your gold panning.
This kit includes two gold pans — a 10” and 14” dual riffle gold pan, patented ½” mesh sifting pan, sniffer bottle, tweezers, and vials.
This kit is ideal for collecting and searching for gold. The pan is made of plastic, it is lightweight, and you need not worry about the separation process between magnetite and gold flakes, corrosion, and rust resistance.
The sifter helps you to separate all the gravel and stones from the sediment.
It is the perfect size for gold panning with 14 inches diameter wide.
It can trap even minute particles with the designated riffle type.
It is durable and non-breakable, and it’s easy to carry in your backpack.
Well, they come with a pair of tweezers and an attached magnifier to easily identify, along with a sniffer bottle to retain any small particles.
Key Features
- Easy to use, durable, and sturdiness.
- Lightweight and perfect size
- Comes with deep and dual riffles
- Tweezers with 5x magnifier
- 4 oz. Snifter bottle and glass vials of 1 – 5.9 mL, 2 – 8.8 mL.
Pros
- It is made of good quality plastic, rustproof, and corrosion-proof.
- Separation of gravel is easy with a sifter, and small particles and gold flakes are retained with the help of the sniffer bottle.
- The color of the pan makes it visible to distinguish between black sand and other particulates easily.
Cons
- Many duplicate brands try to copy and sell the authentic SE plastic pan replica.
- This complete kit is quite expensive.
Garrett Complete Gold Pan Kit 1651310
About the product
The SE prospector choice gold panning kit is a great kit for beginners, a cost-effective kit for your gold panning.
This kit includes two gold pans — a 10” and 14” dual riffle gold pan, patented ½” mesh sifting pan, sniffer bottle, tweezers, and vials.
This kit is ideal for collecting and searching for gold. The pan is made of plastic, it is lightweight, and you need not worry about the separation process between magnetite and gold flakes, corrosion, and rust resistance.
The sifter helps you to separate all the gravel and stones from the sediment.
It is the perfect size for gold panning with 14 inches diameter wide.
It can trap even minute particles with the designated riffle type.
It is durable and non-breakable, and it’s easy to carry in your backpack.
Well, they come with a pair of tweezers and an attached magnifier to easily identify, along with a sniffer bottle to retain any small particles.
Key Features
- Easy to use, durable, and sturdiness.
- Lightweight and perfect size
- Comes with deep and dual riffles
- Tweezers with 5x magnifier
- 4 oz. Snifter bottle and glass vials of 1 – 5.9 mL, 2 – 8.8 mL.
Pros
- It is made of good quality plastic, rustproof, and corrosion-proof.
- Separation of gravel is easy with a sifter, and small particles and gold flakes are retained with the help of the sniffer bottle.
- The color of the pan makes it visible to distinguish between black sand and other particulates easily.
Cons
- Many duplicate brands try to copy and sell the authentic SE plastic pan replica.
- This complete kit is quite expensive.
Gold Rush Nugget Bucket – A Gold Panning Kit Seen On Shark Tank!
About the product
Goldrush nugget bucket is the absolute deal-breaker that comes with a bucket and a patented fluid bed concentrator. This kit is ideal for pro prospectors and also suitable for beginners.
Since the pan is made of plastic and has a finger lip, that makes your gold panning much easier. You need not worry about the separation process between magnetite and gold flakes.
The tools include a pair of tweezers, a suction bottle, a black sand magnet, a hand scoop, and a gold vial for storage.
It is durable and non-breakable, and it’s easy to carry. Once you are done with one deposit location, pack up your bucket and move onto your next place.
Finally, they come in three different colors, and you should check out their product worth every cent; and this kit can get you the most out of your gold panning.
Key Features
- Comes with a highly sophisticated complete kit.
- Perfect-size and easy to use
- Concentration bowl and gold pan with lips
- Available in three different colors(Blue, green, and black)
- Hand scoop, vials, and a clean-up kit.
Pros
- It is made of good quality plastic, rustproof, and corrosion-proof.
- Lightweight, sturdy and simple to process this kit. Easily transportable.
- The color of the pan makes it visible to distinguish between different black sand and other particulates easily.
Cons
- Since it is the ultimate kit, pricing could feel a pinch.
- It also contains many small parts which, if dropped, can never be found.
A Common Mistake For Amateur Gold Panners
Gold panning can be an adventurous and a great hobby for many people. It is also instantly rewarding for your hard work.
But always make sure whether you are going to do gold panning in the USA or Canada, get a permit because some of the local lakes or creeks consider it as a violation of the law.
When you are going for gold prospecting, don’t always expect to find something great. It’s highly impossible to get lucky that you find such a great find in a short time.
Gold panning needs a lot of patience and time. Carry your kit and go to the river banks with your friends and do it as a fun activity because it might get boring or monotonic if you are on your own.
FAQ
The best place to pan for gold is along the river banks, alluvial deposits, and lakeside places.
The most popular places to go for gold prospecting are few parts from Canada, including Ontario, Quebec, and across the whole Canadian shield.
The best location for gold panning in the USA would be Alaska. Even today, prospecting is still famous around Fairbanks in Alaska.
Every river contains a microscopic amount of gold that flakes it. If you are an amateur, the process of finding gold could be a bit unfavorable to you because of the small amount, which can’t be seen with a naked eye.
Gold is usually found along with alluvial deposits and glacial deposits in rare cases.
Tips
The following are the tips that should be followed when you go for gold panning :
Carry your kit, which includes tweezers, bottle vials, sifters, magnifiers, dissolvers, and of course, the pan.
Before reaching your destined location, get a permit from the local community and avoid trespassing.
Try to go for gold panning as a group with your friends, so it doesn’t have to be boring.
Practice swirling with one hand instead of two hands, then the motion might be a bit too fast, and you will end up losing a valuable find.
Use tweezers always because the gold flakes are fragile, and you might not be able to pick them up with bare hands.
Conclusion
Gold panning is a great hobby, especially a rewarding hobby. For those who are looking to go gold prospecting, remember to choose your kit wisely. Because the efficiency starts with your kit.
Gold panning is a meandering, back-cracking, time-consuming hobby, so don’t jump into gold panning without knowing the predicament of the situation.
Always remember to get a permit if you plan to do gold panning along any local river bank or lakeside. You definitely do not want to break the law.
Don’t be upset or devastated if you do not end up finding any valuable on your first hunt; practice will make you reach more skilled prospecting.
Finally, do this as a fun activity and friends who share the same interests as you, this will make your gold panning journey a more memorable and a funny one. Happy gold prospecting!!!