In Search Of: Gold vs. Sapphire (Porter's Retreat, NSW, Australia)

In this episode I compare searching for gold versus sapphires at Porter's Retreat. Given new information about the area, will it make a difference? Which is the best to pursue when you are there?
Photos by Ed Dunens
#gold #sapphiregemstone #australia #prospecting #fossicking #goldprospecting

[@jeffholmes1362]

Great sighting, seeing an endangered species is always good. Also finding some gold and shiny rocks, great day out, thanks for sharing

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

A pleasure as always. I wish I caught it on video. It was insane how much it looked like an otter and how fast it was.

[@mocaman99]

Cheers for the vid, wish I could get out as often as you do :)

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

No problem. It is hard. I do have to juggle things and try to get to a number of places within one weekend. But it is always worth going out and disconnecting from our busy lives.

[@gabivalla6279]

Enjoying your videos, we're into gems as well as gold and relics. We've good populations of native water rats, or rakali, outer southeast suburban Melbourne. Lakes and hills about the lower hills of the Dandenongs, they'd walk over your fishing rod as you're sitting quietly and grab any food. Sadly the creeks seem more polluted and less natural vegetation and less wildlife. Lakes with much carp being left out of the water ensures much rakali food. Over via Buckshot Prospecting btw, happily go lucky, EY! Gabi of Narre Warren.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Cheers, Gabi. The Dandenongs is a beautiful area. That’s great that you have so many Rakali. Sadly, this was my first encounter and it suggests the wider areas surrounding Sydney have very few of them. Or they are incredibly elusive. Gadsy is a good soul sending people my way. Have a good one!

[@bradhile5031]

Great to see good honest vids loved it keep up the great work 🍻

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Thanks. Glad you are enjoying them.

[@HummelJaeger]

Regarding indicators, it looks as though you pulled up a fair amount of black spinel in some of those pans, though probably too small to cut.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Yes, there was spinel aplenty. I did put a few larger specimens aside, but, as you suggest, they’re nowhere near cutting size.

[@aumetalmental8403]

That was a cool video. ✌️😎

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@getdownanddirtyprospecting]

Well done just found your channel I just put a like and a sub

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Cheers. Glad you like it and thanks for the like and sub! I think I've already subscribed to yours and it is great!

[@tazyt3388]

mate good to get onto a bit if the ground allows the change in layers to retain it over the years of erosion ive had great luck in the top inch of blue clays associated near quartz reefs its just fun looking about aye great vid mate cheers

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Cheers. I'll have to look closer at those layers to see if there is "blue/granite clay" in upper areas of the ridge. That might be the key to success there.

[@tazyt3388]

@@InSearchOf...Australia cant hurt to investigate more mate ive had many trips learning an area then it falls into place and the gold shows up but it can take time knowledge is king mate best of luck

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

That is very true. Cheers.

[@tonyhardy6878]

I'm here now and i saw swimming down stream how cute.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Awesome! It is. Having any luck otherwise?

[@tonyhardy6878]

@@InSearchOf...Australia not yet I'm waiting for my son he'll do the hard work.🤣😂

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Good plan.

[@tonyhardy6878]

Lots of gold there. On top and around the hill. Been going there for 50 years you have to know the area. Love your work

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Cheers. Yes, I think gold is the better target. If you want sapphires, go to Sapphire Bend or Campbell’s River. Do you have tips? I’d go back with more info.

[@tonyhardy6878]

@@InSearchOf...Australia and a lot sapphires too I've seen some big ones from there.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

When? I know of many stories from the seventies and eighties.

[@tonyhardy6878]

@@InSearchOf...Australia on top of the hill was a very deep holes & Horizontal ones. That's were the old river bed is. Where the two Creek join I found my 2.5g gold nugget in 1980

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Cool. I will go back when it’s warmer. I still feel it has been thoroughly done over but am happy to be proved to be wrong!

[@pawefilocha4421]

Based on your experience, I have a question regarding classification. Would it be better to classify 3-5mm, 5-7mm and 7-9mm instead? Your sieves are probably 3-6mm and 6+mm right?

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

I use gem sieves which are 1/4 inch then 1/8 inch. That is, as you suggest, 3 mm and 6 mm. I would love to add a 1/2 inch to get rid of larger rocks faster. Some people use mesh to achieve this. The more you can classify the easier it is to sort and you could make a gold rocker with multiple levels to achieve what you are suggesting.

[@pawefilocha4421]

@@InSearchOf...Australia Thanks for the response :)

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

No problem.

[@killmozzies]

Hi Jason, Do people need a 4x4 to get to where you are at the creek? Thanks for the videos.

[@InSearchOf...Australia]

Hi, you’re welcome and glad you enjoy them. Generally it is fine to get in. The dirt road is worn and I wouldn’t go in after or during very heavy rain but my ute isn’t 4x4 and I’ve never had a problem. There two flat areas that you can park at on the road that heads towards the creek and a lot flat space down the road that runs along the top of the ridge.