Washington Gold & Gems Maps: Then & Now

Historic & Modern Prospecting Maps for Washington's Gold, Silver, Gemstones & Mining Districts

Explore Washington's legendary goldfields and gemstone collecting areas with Washington Gold & Gems Maps: Then & Now by R.N. Preston and M.L. Preston. This comprehensive five-map collection combines modern prospecting information with authentic historic mining maps, allowing gold prospectors, metal detectorists, rockhounds, and outdoor enthusiasts to compare today's landscape with Washington's historic mining districts and mineral-producing regions.

Covering the entire state, these detailed double-sided fold-out maps identify gold and silver prospecting areas, historic mining districts, and reported locations for 29 different gems, minerals, and fossils. Whether you're searching for placer gold in the Cascade Mountains, hunting jade along the coast, or exploring Washington's historic mining camps, this map collection is an indispensable field reference.

Perfect For

• Gold prospectors

• Recreational gold panners

• Metal detectorists

• Rockhounds

• Gem hunters

• Mineral collectors

• Fossil collectors

• Mining history enthusiasts

• Geology students

• Outdoor adventurers

• Prospecting clubs

• Washington travelers

Features

• Five double-sided fold-out maps

• Covers the entire state of Washington

• Combines modern prospecting maps with historic mining maps

• Identifies gold and silver prospecting areas

• Shows gemstone, mineral, and fossil collecting locations

• Includes historic mining district reference maps

• Compact folded format for easy field use

• Part of the popular Then & Now map series by R.N. and M.L. Preston

Benefits

• Compare historic mining districts with today's landscape

• Locate productive gold-bearing regions

• Discover gemstone and mineral collecting areas

• Research historic mining districts before heading into the field

• Plan prospecting and metal detecting trips with confidence

• Learn more about Washington's rich mining history while exploring the state's diverse landscapes

Map Collection Includes

• Map 1: Washington – Northwest Section / Early Mining Districts (Central & Western Region)

• Map 2: Washington – Northeast Section / Early Mining Districts (Northeast Region)

• Map 3: Washington – Southwest Section / Early Mining Districts (Central Region)

• Map 4: Washington – Southeast Section / Early Mining Districts (Eastern Region)

• Map 5: Historic Washington 1865 / Historic Washington 1896

The maps identify reported occurrences of valuable materials including:

• Gold

• Silver

• Agate

• Actinolite

• Aventurine

• Andalusite

• Azurite

• Beryl

• Bloodstone

• Chrysocolla

• Corundum

• Quartz Crystals

• Feldspar

• Fluorite

• Fossils

• Garnet

• Jade

• Jasper

• Kyanite

• Olivine

• Opal

• Opalized Wood

• Obsidian

• Petrified Wood

• Realgar

• Rhodonite

• Thulite

• Thunder Eggs

• Tourmaline

• Zeolite

Recommended Accessories

Complete your Washington prospecting library with:

• Rockhounding Washington: A Guide to the State's Best Sites

• Gems and Minerals of Washington by Lanny R. Ream

• Rocks, Minerals & Geology of the Pacific Northwest

• Gold Panning the Pacific Northwest

• Garrett Gold Panning Kit

• 1849 Gold Pan – Made in the USA

• Gold Classifier Screens

• Gold Collection Vials

• 10X Triplet Jeweler's Loupe

• Handheld GPS

Specifications

• Title: Washington Gold & Gems Maps: Then & Now

• Authors: R.N. Preston & M.L. Preston

• Publisher: Northwest Distributors

• Series: Then & Now

• Publication Year: 2003

• Format: Five Double-Sided Fold-Out Maps

• Coverage: Entire State of Washington

• Historic Maps: 1865 & 1896 plus regional mining district maps

• Folded Size: Approximately 6.5" × 9.5"

• ISBN-10: 0965755835

• ISBN-13: 9780965755832

• Language: English

What's Included

• Five double-sided Washington Gold & Gems maps

• Historic Washington maps

• Early mining district reference maps

• Gold, gemstone, mineral, and fossil occurrence maps

Why Buy From High Plains Prospectors?

At High Plains Prospectors, we know that successful prospecting starts with quality maps and reliable historical research. Washington Gold & Gems Maps: Then & Now combines modern prospecting information with historic mining maps to help you locate Washington's famous gold districts, gemstone collecting areas, and early mining camps. Whether you're searching for placer gold in the Cascades, collecting jade along the Pacific Coast, or exploring historic mining regions throughout the state, this map collection is an essential addition to your prospecting library.

From the Publisher: Placer gold was discovered in Washington in the 1850′s. However, placer mining did not become particularly active until discoveries were made in the 1860′s on Peshastin Creek in Chelan County and on Swauk Creek in Kittitas County.  During those early years and into the 1900′s, prospecting was general and it is possible that many streams were overlooked in the search for more worthwhile placer locations.   It is impossible at this time to determine the total amount of placer gold produced in the state of Washington.  The records for the period prior to 1900 are fragmentary at best and were not broken down to a county basis.  The many localities reporting locations of placer gold may indicate the parts of the state where prospecting may be advantageous today.  In June, 1975 the 44th Legislature of the State of Washington designated petrified wood as the state gem because of its beauty and abundance.  Petrified wood is found throughout the state and is symbolic of early forests.  It also represents a period of geological time when extensive volcanism buried great forests with volcanic ash and basaltic lava. According to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Washington State is within the top ten producers of gemstones in the nation.  Petrified wood, agates, crystals and fossils are eagerly sought be many rockhounds.  Rockhounding — often defined as the collecting of rocks, minerals and fossils – along with jewelry making are important economic activities of the state.  In recent years, professional collectors have recovered crystals from Washington locales which are now housed in many museums including the Smithsonian.  The most notable and some of the finest gems in the world are bright red realgar crystals from Green River. Spectacular crystals of amethyst scepter (Denny Mountain), autunite (Mt. Spokane), grossular garnet (Vesper Peak) and pyrite (Spruce Peak) are by far considered the best in the nation.

The discovery of precious fire opal in a well seven miles northeast of Pullman in 1890 led to the first significant recovery of gem materials in Washington. Mine buildings were erected, and operations began in July of 1891 in what became known as Gem City. According to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Washington State is within the top 10 producers of gemstones in the nation. Petrified wood, agates, crystals, and fossils are eagerly sought by many rockhounds of the state.