Century-old working stamp mill for crushing ore at Reed Gold Mine. A sturdy hook or spoon for gouging out crevices in bedrock, a magnet for removing magnetite from the heavy mineral concentrates, a magnifying glass, a geologist s pick, and containers in which to keep the gold and concentrates are all helpful. Additional equipment such as rockers, longtoms, sluices, or portable suction dredges can be used when larger volumes of material are worked. Much of the equipment can be purchased from rock and mineral dealers. G old concentrates and nuggets can usually be sold to individual buyers as well as rock and mineral dealers.
Nuggets usually have a higher value as specimen samples and jewelry than at world market prices.
Gold obtained from lode deposits can also be sold as specimens or, when refining is necessary, the unrefined gold can be sold to a refinery. Large lots are needed for shipping since handling costs often exceed the value of the gold. Ms. Sigrid Ballew of DENR's Asheville Regional Office, and Jeff Reid prepared this page for this site. This page was posted December 27, 2000.