The nuggets must remain in the pan until the panner is ready to place all of the nuggets into the vial. If a nugget leaves the pan for any reason, it cannot be returned to the pan. Using only hte fingers, the panner will then place the nuggets into the vial, provided by the contest committee, screw on the lid, and place the vial in the judge's pan. There must be more gold than other material in the vial. If there is more sand than gold in the vial, this will result in disqualification.
Timing begins when the panner touches the sides of the pan.
After the panner indicates he or she is finished, the judge will count the number of nuggets in the vial, and determine if there is more gold than other material. The judge has the option of emptying the contents of the vial into the pan to count the nuggets. Four or more lost nuggets will be result in disqualification. Rotation for panners will be determined by a drawing. Numbers will be placed in a pan, and contestants will draw a number to determine starting positions.