The Gold n Pawn

Gold Nugget

Sharp increases in the price of gold over recent years have brought a new breed of prospectors out into the hills. Interested in making their own strike of gold, they are also enjoying the recreation of being outdoors and good exercise. In the deserts, on the hillsides and in the mountain streams, there is still gold to be found in many places. Every year there are still great finds being made, mostly in the western states (at least as far as locations within the USA). Even large nuggets over an ounce in size are still being recovered – they are not all that common, but they are still found. Flakes and small chunks of gold are far more common finds. Its not easy, and not every day will be a home run, especially for the beginner. Patience is required and some days just have to be chalked up to the quest to gain knowledge and experience.

Placer gold means gold that is in the form of loose individual grains which have eroded out of the host rock in mountains and hills freeing it so that it can be recovered without further crushing of the host rock. This includes things such as gold flakes and nuggets. This is the type of gold that is of the greatest interest to individual prospectors. Placer gold has been mined from gravel deposits throughout the western US in many different types of environments, both forest and desert.

Many types of efficient placer gold recovery equipment are available for the individual. For the small operator, the choice is usually determined based on the environment he desires to prospect in, as well as his spending budget. In desert environments, dry washers and metal detectors are the chief choices. Other water conserving devices may also be a possibility. For those with access to water in a close to their placer deposits, options like sluice boxes and small-scale suction dredges can also be considered. The versatile gold pan gets used in almost all environments, although in dry environments one has to bring water and the tub to hold it in order to use the pan effectively.

The cost of prospecting equipment used by individual prospectors covers quite a range. Small plastic gold pan can be purchased for less than $10. Top-of-the-line metal detectors designed to find gold cost over $4000. A large suction dredge may cost up to $10,000. Other equipment covers all levels in between. It is not necessary for the new prospector to start with the most expensive items. It is both sensible and reasonable to start off small, purchase some books to learn about how to prospect and have his equipment grow with his knowledge and abilities. So my suggestion is to give it a try, start out small and see how you like it.

If you are new to prospecting for gold and just getting started, I have some suggestions for you. This is a great recreational pastime, and with some sincere effort, you will learn what you need to know and soon be out there digging some nice gold of your own.

First off, I’d suggest you join a prospecting club like GPAA (Gold Prospectors Association of America) or one of the other well-known regional/local clubs. Being part of a club that owns their own claims will give you access to places to prospect and a chance to talk about local places to look, regulations and what really works to get gold in your neck of the woods. These things are all really important to the new prospector trying to learn the ropes. It will also give you a chance to meet some folks with more experience in prospecting for gold. Attend the group outings and hang around with some of those more experienced guys. Most will willingly share information about how to find gold, and how they have found gold in the past. The friendships you will gain are worth far more than the cost of the membership dues. Even many experienced prospectors are members of more than one club, because of the friendships and prospecting opportunities they present. It’s highly unlikely you will strike it rich, but if you work at it you will find some gold and have a lot of fun along the way.

Learn more about the fun of prospecting, check out my web page at: http://nevada-outback-gems.com/prospect/funofprospect/fun_of_prospecting.htm

Basic information on Prospecting for gold, including how to get started, can be found at: http://nevada-outback-gems.com/basic_prospecting/Basic_placer.htm

Chris Ralph writes on small scale mining and prospecting for the ICMJ Mining Journal. He has a degree in Mining Engineering from the Mackay School of Mines in Reno, and has worked for precious metal mining companies conducting both surface and underground operations. After working in the mining industry, he has continued his interest in mining as an individual prospector. He can be reached at P.O. Box 3104 Reno, Nevada 89505. His information page on prospecting for gold can be viewed at: http://nevada-outback-gems.com/prospect/chris_prospect.htm

1100 oz of gold nuggets.AVI

SUPER SALE – HUGE 38 OUNCE GOLD NUGGET – MUSEUM GRADE – bullion-nuggets $101,200.00

BEAUTIFUL RARE GOLD NUGGET $60,000.00

Sale Paydirt..guaranteed 12 oz GOLD NUGGETS AND PICKERS BELOW SPOT PRICE $16,495.09

EXREMELY RARE! AUTHENTIC BVLGARI 18K YELLOW GOLD NUGGET DIAMOND BRACELET 1960 $14,500.00

5.02 OUNCE 156.1 GRAM AUSTRALIAN NATURAL GOLD NUGGET 23KT+ AMAZING SHAPE & LOOK! $13,750.00

Gold specimen mineral crystalline crystallized nugget jewelery western US camps. $10,745.00

Ford : Mustang Rare 1968 Gold Nugget Special Ford Mustang NO RESERVE! $10,700.00

14K GOLD 3 CT DIAMOND NUGGET BRACELET APPRASED $10000 $8,500.00

Men’s nugget style 14k white gold ring with apx. 3.5 carats diamonds $7,250.00

Nevada Gold Nugget $7,000.00

91 gram GOLD NUGGET FROM SOUTH CAROLINA $7,000.00

Yvel Pearl 18K & Yellow Gold Nugget Necklace Bracelet & Earrings Jewelry Set $7,000.00

1995 Australian Nugget Kangaroo Issue 2 Oz Gold Coin. $6,994.69

Gold Nuggets from Alaska almost 5 ounces 152 grams pure Alaskan Gold Nugget $6,990.00

genuine, natural Australian GOLD NUGGET 84.7 gram $6,776.00

1914 s $20 St Gaudens Gold Coin Bolo with real Gold Nuggets Make Offer $6,600.00

GOLD NUGGET BULLION MUSEUM QUALITY FROM RUSSIA SIBERIA 78.1 GR. ESTATE FIND $6,499.00

genuine, natural Australian GOLD NUGGET 92.48 gram $6,400.00

1987-P AUSTRALIA GOLD NUGGET NGC PR70 PF70 4-COIN SET ! $5,985.00

Beautiful Authentic Alaska Gold Nugget Watch $5,500.00

Unique 22 Karat Men’s Yellow Gold Nugget Bracelet $5,000.00

$8,000 WOMENS SOLID 14K GOLD NUGGET BRACELET 52.3g, 7″, PERFECT STATE. $5,000.00

22kt Alaska Natural Gold Nugget Mens Watch….81.7 Grams…Stunning $4,950.00

22kt Alaska Natural Gold Nugget Mens Spinnell/Diamond Bracelet….71.3 Grams… $4,950.00

Men’s Nugget ID Plate Bracelet In 10K SOLID Yellow Gold- 8.50″ 38.5mm- 120.8gr. $4,711.00

Men’s Nugget ID Plate Bracelet In 14K SOLID Yellow Gold- 8.5″ 29.3mm- 93.10grms $4,562.00

Wearable or Scrap Women’s Alaskan Gold Nugget Diamond Watch 14K 18K 36.8 Grams $4,500.00

Wearable or Scrap Women’s Genuine Alaskan Gold Nugget Watch 10K 18K 31.3 Grams $4,500.00

Wearable or Scrap Women’s Genuine Alaskan Gold Nugget Watch 10K 18K 29.9 Grams $4,500.00

14k 585 Solid 8″ Gold Mens Nugget Squared Champagne Watch 27×47mm Dial NB262Y-8 $4,485.00

1999 $200 2 oz 9999 Gold Australia Kangaroo Nugget-Sealed In Mint Issued Plastic $4,399.00

58.97 Gram Lot of Large California Gold Nuggets $4,225.00

MENS 14K YELLOW GOLD NUGGET HEAVY BRACELET 91.5g 8″ $4,199.00

AUSTRALIAN GOLD NUGGET SET OF 1987, 1.85ozs BEAUTIFUL!! $4,188.00

18K Yellow Gold Custom Diamond Cluster Ring. Made from Gold Nugget. 30 Diamonds. $4,125.00

☼BIG☼ California Placer Gold Nugget in Quartz 120.6 gram ⌘ $4,000.00

4in DREDGE CONCENTRATE GOLD PANNING 40LB. NUGGET BUCKET WITH 1 OUNCE OF GOLD $4,000.00

1986 Australian Gold Nugget Proof Coin Set $4,000.00

GREAT LOOKING NATURAL GOLD NUGGET $3,995.00

1987 Australian Gold Nugget Proof Set total of 1.85 troy oz of 999.9 fine gold $3,995.00

Antique art deco 14k white gold old mine cut diamond nugget ring 12.46 grams $3,995.00

Men’s 14 K Gold Nugget and Diamond Bracelet $3,990.00

1987 Australian Nugget 4-Coin Gold Proof Set $3,950.00

1986 Australia “Nugget” Proof Cameo 24kt Gold Coin Set Low Mintage In Box w/ COA $3,895.00

14K Yellow Gold 1.42ctw Round Brilliant Diamond Cluster Hammered Nugget Ring $3,895.00

1997 Australian Nugget 2 Ounce 9999 Gold Red Kangaroo Low Mintage Solid Gold $3,800.00

EXQUISITE 8″ 14K SOLID GOLD MEN’S NUGGET WATCH – 57.4 G $3,799.00

46.8 gram, 1.5048 ounces Gold Nugget from Australia no. 2 purity @ 23K plus!! $3,765.00

46.8 gram, 1.5048 ounces Gold Nugget from Australia no. 2 purity @ 23K plus!! $3,765.00

Men’s 14k Gold Nugget and Diamond Ring $3,750.00

1986 Australia Proof Nugget Kangroo 1.85 Troy Oz Gold 4 Coin Set w/Mint Case $3,749.99

Very Rare 1987 AUSTRALIAN 4 GOLD NUGGET PROOF coin set orig Display box & COA $3,745.00

AUTHENTIC NATURAL MONTANA PURE GOLD HUGE NUGGET 20.2 GRAMS + 3 SMALLER NUGGETS $3,600.00

Alaska Gold Nugget & Diamond Wedding set Marquise(.95ct) 1.58 TDW $3,600.00

14KT Yellow Gold Diamond & Gemstone Custom Made Nugget Cross 62.7 grams $3,595.00

LARGE ANTIQUE SOLID 18K WHITE YELLOW GOLD SQUARE NUGGET CUFFLINKS 19MM #1163 $3,560.00

MEN’S GOLD NUGGET DIAMOND RING $3,500.00

Australia 1998 NUGGET, KANGAROO Proof Set 5 pcs. gold coins, Mintage=375! $3,499.00

18K GOLD ROUND TUBE NUGGET BAR LINK NECKLACE CHAIN 23″ $3,499.00

Solid 14k Gold Nugget Antiqued Art Carved 3D Diamond Panther Ring Sz 10.5 $3,400.00

35.1 grams Natural Australian Gold Nugget Specimen Placer Bullion Mining $3,395.00

Gold-in-Quartz Men’s 14k Yellow Gold Ring w/ Natural Gold Nugget Inlay $3,300.00

AUSTRALIA 1987 4-PIECE GOLD NUGGET PROOF COIN SET W/BOX AS SHOWN $3,295.95

AUSTRALIA 1988 4-PIECE GOLD NUGGET PROOF COIN SET W/BOX AS SHOWN $3,295.95

46.5 GRAM HUGE!! AUSTRALIAN NATURAL GOLD NUGGET/BULLION/GEMS $3,289.95

gold nugget: 50.6 grams (1.63 troy ounces) of approx. 95% pure placer gold $3,250.00

GOLD NUGGET 52.3 grams Natural 96% Purity Gold Nugget $3,205.80

Australia 2010 $100 Treasures of Australia 1oz Gold Nugget Locket Proof Coin $3,046.28

14k kt SOLID GOLD NUGGET WATCH 14 K 8.5 INCHES LONG 26 MM WIDE 64.50 GRAMS $3,000.00

SEIKO 14K GOLD NUGGET WATCH MENS 50.2 GRAMS 7- 1/2 $3,000.00

Man’s Natural 22kt Solid Gold Nugget Hand Made Alaskan Seiko Quartz Watch.. $3,000.00

14 KT GOLD NUGGET BRACELET 54.3 G / 1.93 OZ Gold; (3) 0.5 CT DIAMONDS not scrap $3,000.00

Alaskan Gold Nugget & Quartz Mens Ring/ Wedding Band $3,000.00

14K Yellow Gold Nugget Bracelet Mens Jewelry 7″ $2,999.99

1893 Gold Coin Nugget Money Clip 22k 14k $2,995.00

1999 Australia Gold Nuggets (2) 1/2 oz Gold Proof Coins $2,995.00

MENS 14K GOLD 6ct CZ NUGGET BRACELET 70.9g 21mm 8 1/4″ $2,989.00

Women 14KT Gold Nugget – Round Cut .82 CT DIAMOND RING! Size 5 $2,899.95

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1970’s style Bulova watch & gold nugget band, tie pin,& cuff links. Very flashy! $2,700.00

14KT Men’s Yellow Gold 1CT – 3 Diamond Ring / Wedding Band – Nugget Detail Shank $2,699.95

Men’s Nugget ID Plate Bracelet In 14K SOLID Yellow Gold- 8.5″ 22.2mm- 54.7grms $2,681.00

Men’s Nugget ID Plate Bracelet In 14K SOLID Yellow Gold- 8.5″ 23.6mm- 54.7grms $2,681.00

Mens 14K Yellow Gold Nugget Style Bracelet NOT Scrap $2,600.00

100/0.01g Digital Pocket Scale Gram, Ounce, Carat, Grain $14.45 High quality strain gauge load cell system makes it accurate in full capacity range. High density ABS housing and metal support makes it very durable. Large high contrast LCD display makes the readouts clear to read. TARE function makes it much easier to weigh liquid or powder. Attractive blue back lit used in dark. User can switch off the back lit to save power. Crystal clear cover can be also us…

Nugget Cup $5.95 The Nugget Cup is made of heavy duty ABS plastic and built to take a beating. I first saw a “nugget retrieval cup” used in Quartszite, Arizona and was convinced after using one myself, that is was the fastest and simplest way to isolate a tiny piece of gold that I had ever seen. The procedure is similar to using a tray. Once you have localized the nugget in a portion of soil, scoop it into the cu…

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Gold Nugget Mouse Pad …

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