Best bagged paydirt to buy?

[EvilVOG]

I know there has been lots of discussions on this subject, I've read through most of them. What it comes down to is, I live at least 300-400 miles from anywhere that has enough gold to make panning for gold rewarding. I don't have much free time as it is, and i'm not looking to get rich. I just want to pan and find enough gold to have it be entertaining.

Not looking to hear a debate on why people should or should not buy bagged dirt. This is just for me (or anyone else) who has already made the decision to buy some and are looking for recommendations. Or maybe if you have bought some share your experience with the seller/dirt.

I have panned a little before, but just bought my first pan that came with a 1/4lb of concentrate dirt:from ebay seller. Kit cost me 19.50, he sells a 1/2 lb bag for $10 just for reference. Not an expert at panning, nor have i weighed what i have, but below is a pic of my 2nd of what will be 3 pans I will get out of the 1/4 lb sample.




So if you could help me make my next purchase, and if anyone has any tips on getting flour gold out of this blond sand without a miller table... thanks

Also I see a member here sells some, I may contact you, or send me a pm.

 

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[Malestrom]

Hi,
Keep the reviews coming. My son and I want to do some panning for fun. We are near philadelphia and have to bring the dirt to us. I don't want to purchase gold and mix it in. I would like it to be a surprise so I would like to go with "unsearched" not the "seeded" stuff but also don't want to be scammed. Honest "dirt that they would pan" stuff
I've looked at several sites mentioned and will wait for a few more reviews before jumping in.

Thanks all and please provide your honest thoughts on which to get.

Really wish we were out west
Jon

Im also in Philadelphia, please let me know how you make out. I plan on getting some waterfall soil from several rivers and creeks to try panning, ya never know
The bagged stuff seemed so expensive, id rather spend it on gas and drive to streams that 'may' or 'may not' have gold/silver/gems

 

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[Malestrom]

why keep the black dust thats mixed with the gold?
Wouldnt it be better to remove it for a more accurate weight?

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Thank you Kevin and okbasspro! My son told me that I have to get the knees taken care of before my wife gets too old to take care of me and he is still around. I guess part of it is having to admit that I need it done.

Anyhow I will post a picture of the 3 or 4 flakes I found in 4 trips to NH a few years ago, that was when I could still get in the streams. I actually bought 2 bags of the Felix paydirt 2 years ago and did ok on one but so so on the other, pictures to follow.

Here is what we are facing south of Boston right now, 4 feet of snow and more on the way!

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Here is the better stuff I got in one bag from Felix, the other bag wasn't as good. The downside it was like $300 for the bonanza bag! The gold in the vial were the 3 flakes I found in 4 trips to NH 3 years ago. Those three flakes cost me about $500 but I FOUND GOLD! the picture of them in the cereal bowl shows them better.

my gold I found, all that I have found in my lifetime! The 3 flakes are on the left side of the vial

 

[KevinInColorado]

Unsearched Pay dirt from my honey hole drying out for shipment to you Ben. (film canister for scale)

Just dug it today. Also see that black smudge of dirt in the closer pan? That's concentrate from a quick bit of sunset sluicing to ensure there's enough gold in there to get a smile

 

[delnorter]

Straight up of you Kevin.

Mike

 

[EvilVOG]

The black sand is really difficult to separate from the gold. Especially the fine gold specks. You need special equipment to separate the two.

Ben those are some nice little nuggets. Idk if it's $500 worth, but nice.

That's pretty nice of you Kevin.

 

[KevinInColorado]

The black sand is really difficult to separate from the gold. Especially the fine gold specks. You need special equipment to separate the two.

Ben those are some nice little nuggets. Idk if it's $500 worth, but nice.

That's pretty nice of you Kevin.

Thanks. The only special equipment you need to remove the black sand is a 30 or 50 mesh classifier screen and a $2 black gold pan. Well then an eye dropper to suck up the gold and a little green bowl for final separation. Total cost $5 plus the classifier....Oh and lots of practice!

 

[EvilVOG]

You must have different black sand or gold than I get. Some of this stuff has gold that is exactly the same size as the black sand grains. Flakes I can separate out no problem, but the little gold dust particles aren't so easy.

 

[KevinInColorado]

You must have different black sand or gold than I get. Some of this stuff has gold that is exactly the same size as the black sand grains. Flakes I can separate out no problem, but the little gold dust particles aren't so easy.

Oh I agree that it's challenging

 

[Oregon Viking]

Thanks. The only special equipment you need to remove the black sand is a 30 or 50 mesh classifier screen and a $2 black gold pan. Well then an eye dropper to suck up the gold and a little green bowl for final separation. Total cost $5 plus the classifier....Oh and lots of practice!

Or.....just run the black sand like we do here (beach) until you can see it! Of course I might be losing some too....

 

[EvilVOG]

That's what I do, I try and pan out whatever I can and as soon as it looks like I might lose some I stop. Probably not worth the effort but I'm kind of stingy that way.

 

[Duckwalk]

I can usually pan around 100 mesh with no issues. Check out my journal thread. That's all panning baby!

 

[KevinInColorado]

I can usually pan around 100 mesh with no issues. Check out my journal thread. That's all panning baby!

Exactly and same here... Well below 100 mesh, far smaller than the sand its with

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Kevin,
I don't know what to say! You have really made my year. If there is ever anything I can do for you let me know. When you are in Marlboro maybe we can get together for lunch my treat, I know a good BBQ place there, of course 5 Guys burgers are always good.

as far as separating the gold from the black sand, my wife bought be a blue bowl 2 years ago that I have never used as I haven't been able to get stream to get dirt. Now I will be able to try it out.

This is a video I made with my sit-down slucing setup at home that I created 3 years ago but posted a couple years ago. Since I find it hard to stand for a long time I set this up so when my sons bring me some dirt I can run it in my backyard.

 

[KevinInColorado]

That Keene Miracle Mat looks like a winner...nice setup. What is that funny green stuff on the ground in the video? I thought the ground in your area was always white lol!

PS I use Folgers canisters for my concentrates too. Lightweight and stay sealed in my backpack

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

LOL, That is why it is a historical video, before the ICE AGE!

 

[enamel7]

Tap that pan and separate the gold from the black sand.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I like the highbanker setup when I tried to do a sluice into a bucket like that you have to do it outside because it drips this looks pretty good compact

 

[russau]

Why buy concentrates when it would be cheaper just to buy the gold in sizes that you want and then make your own cons to pan out! cheaper this way if buying is the way you want to go!