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_400.jpeg "What is Placer Gold?")
Before gold makes it into our electronics, necklaces, and rings, it has to be either recycled from previous use or mined from within the ground. Gold is found within the ground in gold deposits. These deposits come in two different forms - lode deposits and placer gold deposits.
What Are Placer Gold Deposits
To understand placer gold deposits, it is important to first understand lode deposits. Lode deposits are veins of gold ore that are embedded in rocks and minerals. To separate gold from these less valuable minerals and rocks, miners treat them with chemicals, mill them, or use explosives.
When lode deposits erode due to environmental factors, they can travel down streams and rivers, settling in riverbeds.
How to Mine Placer Gold
Placer gold mining is a process you most likely have read about in your history books. It is when gold is separated from other minerals, such as gravel or sand. Panning for gold was a technique invented specifically to access panner gold found in the riverbeds of Alaska and California.
Can You Still Find Placer Gold?
Placer gold can still be found in various areas around the west coast. States like Oregon, Idaho, California, Colorado, and Arizona still have areas with placer gold present. California, specifically Sierra County, has more active placer mining claims than there are square miles of land.
Placer gold, however, is very difficult to find and, if found, typically is discovered in very small amounts. Even during the Gold Rush era (1848-1855), most prospectors and miners came back empty-handed. Many that found gold did not find worthwhile amounts, and only a small selection of miners found significant amounts.
The gold rush and the lore of that era have caused the United States to be heavily prospected. While some areas still claim to boast both lode deposits and placer gold deposits, the reality is the amounts, if they indeed possess any, would most likely be minimal.
Selling Your Gold
At GoldFellow, we believe in transparency. While chances are most likely slim, we wish any future prospectors luck! Even if your prospecting is unsuccessful, it can still be a fun experience, a great workout, and an interesting step back in time for history lovers.
If your gold prospecting finds success, congratulations! Your next step is to sell this gold and make some money. Luckily, we purchase gold in all conditions, shapes, and sizes. Sell your scrap gold online with us using our insured mailing services. Our professionals will give you a fair price on your items, and if you aren’t satisfied, we will ship them back to you at our own cost.
Calculate cash for gold prices using our helpful cash for gold calculator or the industry standard of your item’s pennyweight. Contact us today to learn more about our gold buying services.
