Category: Gold

Don't be fooled: These quick tests separate pyrite from real gold. Article by: Hobart M. King, Ph.D., RPG Pyrite with Striations: A cluster of cubic pyrite crystals exhibiting prominent striations. Photo copyright iStockphoto / Johanna Poetsch. What Is Fool's Gold? "Fool's gold" is a common nickname for pyrite.

A brief history of gold uses, prospecting, mining and production Republished from a USGS general interest publication by Harold Kirkemo, William L. Newman, and Roger P. Ashley Egyptian gold: Artisans of ancient civilizations used gold lavishly in decorating tombs and temples, and gold objects made more than 5,000 years ago have been found in Egypt.

Panning instructions, tips and techniques Gary Smith, a gold panner from British Columbia with 40 years of experience, demonstrates his panning methods and gives advice. Learn How to Pan for Gold The best way to learn about panning for gold is to observe the techniques of successful panners. Although the methods of these four panners are not identical, they share two common goals: get the heavy gold particles to settle to the bottom of the pan by vigorously shaking the sediment-water mixture reduce the amount of sediment in the pan by gently washing off the top layer of material Observe how each of the four panners achieves these two goals.

Shovels, pans, dredges and other physical tools are almost useless without knowledge. Article by: Hobart M. King, Ph.D., RPG Gold pans: Most people immediately think of the gold pan as the most important tool for gold prospecting. However, a brain is required to operate it, select the right location on the stream, get permission to enter the land and decide that the land has potential.

Republished from "Prospecting for Gold in the United States," a general interest publication of the US Geological Survey by Harold Kirkemo. Lode gold: Gold ore from the Olinghouse epithermal deposit. When gold is found in the rocks where it crystallized, it is known as a "lode deposit." USGS image. The Many Rewards of Finding Gold Anyone who pans for gold hopes to be rewarded by the glitter of colors in the fine material collected in the bottom of the pan.