The gold rushes of the 19th century have long since ended, but there are still plenty of places you can hunt for the precious metal using a shovel, pan, metal detector and more. In fact, recreational gold mining is a pastime for many people these days, and for good reason: the largest nugget ever found in California was discovered by an amateur. Read on to discover key locations worldwide that you can still prospect for the yellow metal – but be sure to check any restrictions if you're thinking of treasure hunting. All dollar amounts in US dollars.