Results: Best Places to Prospect for Gold and Gemstones in America
Published on 05/01/2024
While no one is moving out West to make it in the gold mines anymore, there are still plenty of places where you can pan for gold or mine for gemstones. Besides being a fun activity, you also get to keep whatever you find, whether that's a common stone or a precious white diamond. Ready to try? These are the five best places in the U.S. to prospect for gold or gemstones. This survey is sourced from an article by Mariana Zapata in Far & Wide.
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The fifth best site is Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, California. This state park commemorates the site where James W. Marshall discovered gold in California in 1848. This is what began the California gold rush. You can join the park's gold panning lessons before putting your new skills into practice. If you already know how to pan for gold, you can simply head to the American River and start your search. The only tools allowed for prospecting are your hands and pans. Is this something that you would be interested in doing?
Yes
31%
644 votes
No
42%
881 votes
Undecided
27%
575 votes
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The fourth best place is Mount Antero, Colorado. Don't want to pay anyone to go prospecting? You absolutely don't have to. If you've got some experience and your own equipment, you can come to Mount Antero in Colorado and mine for precious gemstones completely independently. For the best chance of finding something, you'll have to hike close to the summit, which rises at 14,269 feet. Nothing that's worthwhile is easy. You'll be able to find stones like amethyst, topaz and aquamarine. Have you ever heard of Mount Antero before today's survey?
Yes
13%
265 votes
No
87%
1835 votes
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The third best site is Randall Glen Mine, North Carolina. This experience doesn't take place on a mine but on a farm right outside of Asheville. Blessed with rich soil, Randall Glen Farm provides mining opportunities for people staying in their guest rooms as well as day trippers. You are allowed to explore the property, digging for gemstones such as sapphires and rubies. The farm will provide all the tools that you need, completely free of charge. Whatever you find, you're allowed to keep. Have you ever been to Randall Glen Farm?
Yes
9%
190 votes
No
91%
1910 votes
4.
4.
The second-best place is Crow Creek Gold Mine, Alaska. Located an hour away from Anchorage, Crow Creek Gold Mine was once an active mine during the Alaskan Gold Rush. Environmental protections limited the area's mining activity, but this now family-owned mine still offers gold panning tours. What differentiates it from similar places is that it allows for an experience based on your interests. Amateurs can do a mine tour and pan with the basic tools. But if you're a serious gold rusher, you can bring your metal detector or suction dredge to increase your chances of finding significant quantities of the precious metal. Is this something you would like to experience?
Yes
31%
654 votes
No
42%
889 votes
Undecided
27%
557 votes
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The best place, in the US, to look for gems is Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas. The entire state park is dedicated to letting you prospect for diamonds. The park has a Discovery Center, where they provide free training to help you learn techniques for recognizing diamonds and other stones. You can also rent tools and equipment from the park if you don't have your own. Wondering if it's worth it? The park claims that visitors discovered 237 diamonds from 2016 to 2020. And in October 2021, a casual California tourist found a 4.38-carat diamond at the park. Have you ever looked for diamonds before?
Yes
11%
221 votes
No
89%
1879 votes
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