The difference between dry panning and wet panning is the fact that in dry panning the prospector is required to pan without water. Remember that wet panning requires water for the gold to settle down to the bottom of the pan. In dry panning it is the exact opposite. The sand or gravel needs to be completely dry. If the gold is going to settle in dense material, it needs to be totally dry. In order to get gold by dry panning it will need to be in a loose suspension of dry gravel or sand so that it can settle without problems. Dry panning is quite difficult when it is used as a way of recovering fine gold. If you are the type of prospector that has a great deal of patience and you are aware of how to use the pan accurately, it can be done successfully. Evidently it is a much easier job when the gold is heavier and is in bigger pieces not to mention how much more practical this way is as well. The fine thing about gold pans is that they can be used to locate other objects as well such as coins on the beach or seashells etc. Pans are often times used to search for gems, nevertheless if you are going to be looking for them it will be necessary to be more alert with how gems are panned given that they are not as heavy as gold. A good pan with riffles should trap the concentrates that are heavier and give you time to check the contents whether dry or wet. Gravity plays a very essential role when it comes to either wet panning or dry panning because the weight of the gold, which is heavier, will always cause it to fall to the bottom. You will obviously be able to do this quicker by using the right kinds of pans and dry washers and better results will be acquired by certain steps. In the same way that gravity pushes the heavier metals to go down to the bottom of the river beds, the same takes place when in a pan.
