Panning for Gemstones

Just like gold, many gemstones are denser than common river rocks. Garnets, sapphires, rubies, and topaz will settle in the same places gold does—behind large boulders, in bedrock cracks, and inside bends.

Instead of just panning, gem hunters often use a screen or sieve (a 'sarca'). You shovel gravel into the screen and wash away the dirt and small sand in the water. Then, flip the screen upside down. The heavy gems will be on top of the pile (which was the bottom of the screen).

Unlike gold panning where you look for a metal, here you are looking for glassy, colored stones. Garnets will look like red glass beads. Sapphires can be blue, yellow, or pink. Even clear quartz crystals can be found this way.

Montana is famous for sapphire panning. North Carolina offers ruby and emerald panning. Idaho has star garnets. Research which rivers in your area are known for heavy mineral deposits.