First off, you need to get permits.
Idaho Department of Lands' Minerals Program - Dredge and Placer Mining
Idaho Department of Water Resources
Idaho Small Suction Dredge Mining General Permit
You also have to make sure your not on somebody's claim...you could be sued/shot for claim jumping.
The Boise River is only open to dredging down stream from Star Bridge (Star Idaho)
I know what your thinking...I'm not dredging but highbanking but Idaho puts it in the same category as dredging. Another part of the Boise River (North Fork) has a stop on it from the EPA till further notice. South fork is entirely closed,
As for gems...about the only thing you'll find locally are Garnets.
You can start here:
Idaho Geological Survey - Home
Now I heard that they were finding diamonds and rubies up around New Meadows but that is unconfirmed on my end,
I heard they were finding Opals around Pearl.
Also someplaces around the Snake they were finding some gem stones.
This is what I heard and I take info like that with a grain of salt.
More substantial is this...
Idaho Gemstones
Around the Snake River you can find Beryl, Opal, Nodules, Jasper, Petrified Wood, Agate, Garnets and Gold. With the exception of gold on the Snake, you wont need a highbanker to get these Gems, but a pick, shovel, pry bar, gloves and lots of luck. Your search should be on the Owyhee County side of the Snake River, I think the zone starts around Old Fort Boise but I am unsure of the exact location other then the Owyhee side of the Snake, across from Canyon County.
Now that the snow has finally melted and it's a little warmer, I'm going Gem Hunting in said location this weekend...I think. But with my wife due to give birth Feb 12, I may opt to stay home...
If you get busted highbanking without a permit...read this:
The Act allows the State to enjoin an operation without a permit or bond or an operation violating an existing permit. Violation of the Act carries a civil penalty of $500 to $2,500 for each day a violation continues. If a person willfully violates the Act, they are liable for a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 or up to a year in prison or both. Additionally, the State may seek costs to reclaim lands affected by the mining operation.
You also need to confirm that water way you want to prospect is open, Idaho takes this very serious, the best friend of a friend got busted 2 years ago prospecting on closed water ways, from what I was told after everything was said and done, it ended up costing him over 15grand in legal fee's and fines.
Not all streams are open to dredging/highbanking and some that are, are only open for 3 months.
Stream Channel Alteration by Recreational Mining
Good luck in your search for gems...you need to be in the sawtooth mountains for good gems but guess what...it's closed.
