Stupid Question - Can I use a normal sieve to find gems?

[manficat]

I have recently come across gem sieving, and I have a few locations in mind to try it out, but I don't have a gem sieve! Could I use a normal kitchen sieve to find gems, or does it not work because of the sieve's shape?
Thanks,
ManfiCat

 

[grubstake]

Kitchen sieves are designed for aerating flour and draining wet ingredients. Flour is a powder, so a kitchen sieve would be way too fine for use in separating gemstones from sand, dirt and small pebbles. A garden sieve, such as you'll find at Bunnings, would be a good way to get started.

 

[davsgold]

I have recently come across gem sieving, and I have a few locations in mind to try it out, but I don't have a gem sieve! Could I use a normal kitchen sieve to find gems, or does it not work because of the sieve's shape?
Thanks,
ManfiCat

you need one of these, from a detector shop, Garrett panning sieve, you need sieves with flat bottoms so as when you tip the sieve upside down to check the stones the heavy gem stones are at the bottom of the layer and end up on top of the layer when tipped over.

this single one has the 1/8" screen and about $42



or a whole Garrett panning kit which has the 1/8" screen in the kit seems to be about $110



cheers dave

 

[manficat]

Ok, thanks guys! I'll look into buying one of these

 

[Dihusky]

Better to get a set, then you can easily get rid of the larger rubbish and/or remove the larger stones leaving only the small stuff, which takes time tho go through, in the fine sieve, add a gold pan underneath and you might be in for a nice surprise.

 

[Mackka]

40 years or more ago I was introduced to fossicking for gemstones by a very good friend. I bought a brickies sieve. 1/8” and it held about 6 kg of wash. I loved it and still have it to this day as well as the 18” (?) aluminium and smaller. All have there special place in my memory of great days.

 

[manficat]

Wouldn't it be possible to give the normal sieve a good shake, sending the gems to the bottom, and then scoop the top layers off? I probably will buy a gem sieve anyway.

 

[sand surfer]

https://highbanker.com.au/products/gold-sieve-set-1-4-inch-and-1-8-mesh?if you are mainly gem stone hunting grab a set of these guys
if you decide to buy a willoughby they will fit perfectly
with the sieving there is a knack in doing it but it is not hard ,and you will end up with all the gemstones in a line in the bottom of the sieve flip the sieve upside down on a hessian bag and pick up the gemstones