Pawny you may recall the first time you went panning and found gold......BOOM sticks out like a big orange cheeto so to speak. The same analogy with gems is appropriate once you see a few your world opens up. Its at that point you don't have to "concentrate" anymore to find more they are much more easily spotted unless they are tiny or very dark.
Gems are a little more subtle but often not.....as long as the stones are wet and you have a bit of sunlight they also give a pretty spectacular reveal, like finding a jelly bean in a pan.....ofcourse prob a little smaller unless you hit the jackpot. You can find gems at GG just on hands and knees, no digging.
I did build a gem extension on my banker for Grabben Gullen, and yes in gold areas I now sieve the remains like I'm looking for gems. That's the technique u need to practice to get the "gem/ spinel circle". We got a nugget at Windeyer using that method...was sitting right in the middle.....and the gems would also be there if done correctly. I find no banker required, just two sieves. If you hit a hot spot then yep, back to the car and grab the banker.
Def my gem hunting has made me more careful when looking in gold spots, I always do a gem check now. I also hate to think what I missed. I think all good gold hunters should be gem conscious, and a lot are not. One or two GG visits, a couple of Wal n Liz vids and you will be hooked and a pro shortly thereafter! To be honest it almost took me away from Gold Hunting because the gems come sooner on most occasions! Finding a 7 carat on my first trip certainly didn't help. That's the equivalent of finding a nugget on the first detecting trip. Ive had a couple of real bad gem sessions but if I had to compare with gold hunting.....gems would come out trumps for bringing home something special in the jar!
