The Gold Rush significantly influenced the history of California and the United States. It created a lasting impact by propelling significant industrial and agricultural development and helped shape the course of California’s development by spurring its economic growth and facilitating its transition to statehood.

The Klondike Gold Rush was a migration by an estimated 100,000 prospectors to the Klondike region of the Yukon, in north-western Canada, between 1896 and 1899.

The effects of the Gold Rush were substantial. Whole indigenous societies were attacked and pushed off their lands by the gold-seekers, called “forty-niners” (referring to 1849, the peak year for Gold Rush immigration).

The Klondike gold rush was decidedly more difficult than the one in California, since the prospectors were in -50 degree weather. They also had to used dog sleds and make tent cities. They ate little to no meat, fruit, or vegetables. It is generally estimated that about 90,000 miners arrived in California in 1849.

About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date (187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons). Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia, and South Africa. The United States ranked fourth in gold production in 2016.

around 3 billion years

3,000 BC

In most ancient cultures gold was popular in jewellery and art because of its value, aesthetic qualities, ductility and malleability. The value and beauty of gold made it an ideal material for particularly important political and religious objects.

During these ancient times, gold was mined from alluvial placers—that is, particles of elemental gold found in river sands. The gold was concentrated by washing away the lighter river sands with water, leaving behind the dense gold particles, which could then be further concentrated by melting.

Nile River

The greatest natural resource in Ancient Egypt was the Nile River. It provided them with fish, transportation, and an annual flood that fertilized the land for growing good crops. The people adapted to the conditions of the Nile River Valley. Agriculture created most of Ancient Egypt’s wealth.

Pyramid. When the pyramid was almost finished, a special block covered in shining metal (either gold or electrum) was placed on the top of the pyramid. Then, blocks of white limestone from quarries across the Nile were used to cover the pyramid. The blocks were trimmed to make the outside of the pyramid smooth.

South Africa and the US host two each of the world’s ten largest gold mines, while Indonesia, Russia, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Australia, and the Dominican Republic house the remaining.

Top 10 Countries with Largest Gold Reserves

1. United States. Tonnes: 8,133.5. Percent of foreign reserves: 79.0 percent.
2. Germany. Tonnes: 3,363.6. Percent of foreign reserves: 75.6 percent.
3. Italy. Tonnes: 2,451.8. Percent of foreign reserves: 71.3 percent.
4. France. Tonnes: 2,436.0.
5. Russia. Tonnes: 2,299.9.
6. China. Tonnes: 1,948.3.
7. Switzerland. Tonnes: 1,040.0.
8. Japan. Tonnes: 765.2.

Australia

The below-ground stock of gold reserves is currently estimated to be around 50,000 tonnes, according to the US Geological Survey. To put that in perspective, around 190,000 tonnes of gold has been mined in total, although estimates do vary. Based on these rough figures, there is about 20% still to be mined.

Although the price of gold can be volatile in the short term, it has always maintained its value over the long term. Through the years, it has served as a hedge against inflation and the erosion of major currencies, and thus is an investment well worth considering.

the Welcome Stranger

However, only a minority of miners made much money from the Californian Gold Rush. It was much more common for people to become wealthy by providing the miners with over-priced food, supplies and services. Sam Brannan was the great beneficiary of this new found wealth.

quartz rock

Can gold be found in quartz? Yes, gold can be found in quartz. It nestles in the veins (lines) or cracks in quartz and will appear as small particles or scales. In some cases you may be able to see small masses of gold within quartz but much of it is invisible to the naked eye.

The REAL Top 10 Places to Pan for Gold

1. American River, California.
2. Fairbanks, Alaska.
3. Black Hills, South Dakota.
4. Northern Nevada.
5. The Klondike Region, Yukon, Canada.
6. Pike’s Peak, Colorado.
7. Rogue River, Oregon.
8. Dahlonega, Georgia.

The short answer is yes; there are metal detectors that can detect gold. Gold, like other metal compounds, can be found using a metal detector that is optimized for the conditions where gold is found.

Where to Find Big Gold Nuggets

• Ganes Creek, Alaska. Ganes Creek gained popularity for a pay-to-mine operation that was there for many years.
• Moores Creek, Alaska.
• Nolan Creek, Alaska.
• Anvil Creek, Alaska.
• Rich Hill, Arizona.
• Wickenburg, Arizona.
• Bradshaw Mountains, Arizona.
• Atlin, British Columbia.

Nevada