This process is basically designed to prep material gathered for panning at home. Since I have limited time to do the initial surveys, I normally bring home a can of material. By sorting it this way, I get to really see what the streams are carrying in the way of material. The end result is that I can see if there is Gold, Gemstones, Fossils, or just some neat looking Minerals in the stream beds.
If I find a good sample, I have taken notes as to where and when the samples were taken. Small sampling is less intrusive to the locations as well. No need to haul a Sluice Box and a big shovel. I can scout the stream and find a promising location for deposits. I also get to enjoy a nice walk in the woods normally to get there!
Step 1 - Lay out Materials and Equipment
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| Bowls,, Basin, Mesh Strainers, Scoop, and Material |
The yellow can contains the gravel/sand to be sorted. The two white bowls are for storing sand/gravel during the process. The scoop (pumpkin carving scoop) is for placing sand/gravel into mesh screens. The two mess screens are 60 and 80, both purchased at a cooking supply store. Some water and maybe dish soap if needed.
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| Pour material into another container |
Next, I pour the sand/gravel mix into a flat, wide basin for easier scooping. This allows me to look at the material a bit better before dropping it into the screen. Sometimes you may find a good sample in the container and want to pull it out before screening.
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| Pre-Wash Material |
Notice that the water in the sand/gravel mixture has some soap bubbles in it. I have added some dish soap to loosen any silt/clay lumps. Small particles are famous for sticking inside clay balls. Anything you can do to break them up is a wise idea here.
Step 2 - Begin to screen (60 Mesh)
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| Start with widest mesh first |
Using the 60 mess screen (smaller number = larger holes), begin by scooping small amounts into the strainers. The image is not super accurate as I had to use a hand for the camera as well. Once you have a scoop in the strainer, run your fingers thru the material to check for clay balls. Mash as needed.
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| Shake back and forth, round and round |
Shake your strainer back and forth and round and round. The water will dirty as the smaller particles slip thru the mesh. Using small scoops ensures that the material will be sorted enough. At this point in time, remove any larger pebbles and gravel to help sorting process. Make sure to hold the material under the water line to ease the separation.
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| Separate containers |
Now that you have the material separated, place the gravel in a separate container for later study. You will continue to do this until you have gone thru the first screening of the material. This is the stage that all the larger material and organics (sticks and leaves) are removed. Your sorted material will also have been cleaned nicely if you used soapy water, but may need a rinse at the end. Repeat as needed.
Step 3 - Begin to Screen (80 Mesh)
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| Screen at 80 Mesh |
This process is exactly the same as for 60 mesh. The only difference is that you are getting mush finer material sorted. Similar sized material is easiest to sort thru and pan later.
Step 4 - Show off the goods!
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| Stacy looks thru the material |
Here is a shot of my lovely wife Stacy looking thru the sorted material. Notice how she was nice enough to bring me the coffee drink for my hard work? I was left with three containers of material. One rough gravel, one 60 mesh, and one 80 mesh.
Final Step - Pan the Material
I don't have pictures of the panning process just yet. If you want to see how to pan for Gold and Minerals, GO HERE. Much of the beginning steps have been removed by sorting the material this way, but you may want to pan all the material (not just the really fine stuff) as well. Never know if there is a nugget in there!
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