Gold panning or rock hounding, which is a faster return, Both have great adventures Options

[dbdweller]

I am new to Colorado hunting but have been all over the state since 1984. I am planning on taking the Summer off and going on a adventure.
The flooding in California has really done wonders for panning since 97 so something in me is tugging to head that way. I have done a lot of research for gems and nuggets over the years for Colorado and thinking I might as well do something i can spend while having fun.

My understanding with gems will be knowledge and luck i think. I only hear about 10% of gems that really make any money? I know panning is the same thing but at least you know what you have when you find it and it is the same price pretty much for everyone.

I also have 2 dogs going and one is 13 so she does not run the mountain any more so that kind of hurts for the gems a little i think.

Any help and info would be greatly appreciated and sorry if this is crude, this is my first post.

[Crusty]

Unless you're on good ground or moving a LOT of material, small scale mining for gold is a tough way to make a living. But then with crystals, it is a lot of luck. While you may be on good ground, you've got to find a pocket of intact specimens to have them be worth a lot. But the investment in equipment to get at them is a lot lower than the start up of a gold operation.

IN the end, I'd say 90% of folks doing it are doing it more for the experience... very few have the time, energy, and skill to make a living at it.