Anyone ever pan for gold?

[charlotte49er]

About 10 years ago, a buddy of mine bought a 5 gallon bucket of dirt. At the time, I couldn't see why someone would send away for a 5 gallon bucket of dirt! He explained to me it came from a gold mine in Georgia and they sell if to people who want to pan for gold. (He ended up with a nice little vial of gold for her efforts).

He even asked if I wanted to go with him to Georgia and pan at the site. I guess they had running water and you bought the buckets of dirt there and did your own panning. Anyway, I turned him down.

Then about 7 years ago, my (now Ex) Fiancée and I went someplace in North Carolina where people were panning for precious and semi-precious stones. (Possibly Heddinite, NC where the Emerald farm/mine is?)

I need a new hobby. (I just can't sit here and post all day long.) So I'm thinking about getting into panning for gold?

Anyone ever go and pan for gold? Or do the bucket thing?

Just curious.

[Squirrel]

Reeds Gold Mine near Concord.

[charlotte49er]

Reeds Gold Mine near Concord.

I didn't know they had "panning". I'll have to drive up there some time and check it out. Thanks!

[Doyle]

I've always wanted to. Been thinking of going to Hiddenite to try that as well. What was it like there? Was it worth it?

[charlotte49er]

I've always wanted to. Been thinking of going to Hiddenite to try that as well. What was it like there? Was it worth it?

It was about 10 years ago that I was there. People were panning for gem stones. There was at least one jeweler there who would tumble, cut and mount your stone. That much I remember. The ex wasn't into doing anything that remotely resembled manual labor so we didn't pan. She did want me to buy her a nice ring that one of the jewelers had already made up.

http://www.hiddenitegems.com