Mining at Gem Valley
 
Come mine in our flumes for precious and semi-precious stones of all kinds!
Flume Mining and Gold Panning Prices:
- $10.00 per person for access to the flumes and mining for the entire day.
- Seniors over 65 please request your 10% discount at the Gem Shop.
- Large groups can also get discounted entrance rates by making advanced plans!
- Children 5 years old and younger accompanied by a paid adult have Free
Admission.
- Bucket prices start at $10.00 a bucket and up.
- Group discounts are available for parties of ten and over. Must be made in advanced!
- Pack a lunch! Picnic shelters and grills are available for use, both out in the sun and in the shade.
- And don't forget to dress in old clothes so you can get dirty! (And if you have a flashlight, you might want to bring it for checking the color of rocks!)
Bucket Prices
- Rockhound Kid's Pail: Kid's will love this pail of rocks & treasures and they can keep the pail! $10.00
- Ore Knob Specials: Your choice of ALL-Native or Enriched and Native: A good mix of semi-precious and precious stones. $25.00
- Mountain Precious: For the serious rockhound! Enriched with precious and semi-precious stones from mines all over the world. There will be at least one finished faceted stone per bucket, ready to set in your jewelery. $100.00
How to mine in our flumes at Gem Valley:
- Push the larger stones aside and gather smaller stones into a
pile at the center of your screen-shaker. Or if you are panning for
gold, pile your gold-dirt into your pan.
- Gradually move your screen-shaker or gold-pan in a circular
motion in the water. The swirling action removes the dirt from
screen-shaker and leaves behind the stones. Gem Valley staff will be
available to help you with this process.
- Rinse your stones and rub them under the running water in the
flumes. Repeat this process until no more dirt is visible. Make sure
to rub and rinse the stones one more time than you think is necessary
so you don't miss out on finding a really great gemstone.
- Spread your clean stones into one layer and look carefully for
glints of green, red or purple. For Gold Panning, you will be looking
for glints of gold dust as well as yellow tiny stones.
Gem Valley staff will be available to show you examples of what you
should look for because gold, garnets, and emeralds at this stage look
nothing like the brilliantly cut gems you're used to seeing in jewelry
stores. It might take a little practice to identify them, but once
you've found a few you'll feel like a pro. The gems you find are
yours to keep and can be made into all kinds of jewelry pieces by you
or at Gem Valley's Gem Shop.
 
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