Even though I had never seen it in its native state before, when I looked down and saw gold in my pan for the first time, I knew instantly what it was. The excitement of finding my first gold was more earth shaking than finding my first love. Actually, some of the characteristics of gold are readily identifiable. Gold varies in color, depending on what element has mixed with it, from a light-olive brown to a dark yellow. Gold is heavy - heavier than anything else you will find in your pan.
Gold has a dull brassy look, a metallic look and feel.
Gold can be scratched with a knife and it is the most malleable and ductile metal. Silicates and the pretty stuff will float off long before the gold. You too can find that 'big' strike even if it's just getting out into the fresh air and having an adventure. Gold panning has no age restrictions, no sexual barriers, and it is an equal opportunity recreation with the freedom to perceive gold fever. Simple placer gold mining equipment is inexpensive and the methods are easy and fun.